Parks Victoria - Annual Report 2009-10

SUPPORTING HEALTHY PARKS HEALTHY PEOPLEAs an employer, Parks Victoria ensures that:❚ Its decisions are based on merit❚ Its staff are treated fairly and reasonably❚ Equal employment opportunity is provided❚ There are reasonable avenues of redress againstunfair or unreasonable treatment.All Parks Victoria staff are required to abide bythe public sector code of conduct, which requiresstaff to:❚ Act with impartiality❚ Display integrity and avoid conflicts of interest❚ Show accountability for their actions❚ Provide responsive service.Equal opportunityParks Victoria is finalising its next Equal OpportunityManagement Plan (2010 – 2013). This plan will continueto improve equity in employment, access to programsand services and raise awareness of equity and diversitywithin the organisation.Disability Action PlanConsistent with Section 38 of the Disability Act 2006,Parks Victoria prepared a Disability Action Plan thathelps Parks Victoria plan for, and implement changesto, practices, services and infrastructure so that theyare more inclusive and accessible for people withdisabilities.Parks Victoria will continue to ensure it recruits staff onmerit and reduces barriers to people with a disabilityobtaining and maintaining employment. All ParksVictoria staff will be required to complete a new Equityand Diversity e-Learning course that aims to increasedisability awareness.Occupational health and safetyParks Victoria is committed to maintaining a workplacethat is safe, minimises risk to health and promoteswellbeing. We aim to establish an environment thatprovides the highest standards of health and safety foremployees, contractors, volunteers and the public.Parks Victoria’s priority activities for occupationalhealth and safety are set out in its Occupational Healthand Safety Strategy 2007 – 2010. This first strategy hasnow been implemented and development of a newframework to guide activities for the next three yearshas commenced.Achievements in 2009-10 included:❚ An asbestos audit of all Parks Victoria’s work centrescompleted — removal works based on the findings ofthe audit commenced❚ Roll-out of an online chemical management systemthat gives staff easy access to current informationand allows them to maintain a manifest of chemicalson-site❚ Inclusion of occupational health and safety modulein Parks Victoria’s e-learning program that providesinformation to new staff as part of their inductionprogram and allows existing staff to refresh theirknowledge❚ 247 of Parks Victoria’s managers and supervisorscompleted safety leadership training❚ An OHS Representatives Training Forum for 60 staffelected as Health and Safety Representatives underthe Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004❚ Introduction of a statewide influenza vaccinationprogram❚ Development of a Critical Incident EmergencyResponse Plan.Parks Victoria has been, and will continue to be, apartner with multiple disability agencies to ensureprogress across education and inclusive disabilityprograms exists.42 Parks Victoria - Annual Report 2009-10