Class Presentation on OHS Consultation Process By Brett King

Facts about Parks Conservation & Lands (PCL) PCL are is a branch within the Department of Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS), an ACT government agency. The organisation is responsible for planning and management of the majority of ACT parks, reserves, forestry plantations and public domain, including lakes, street trees, public open space and city places. PCL manage about 73 % of the land in the ACT;  Area of the ACT 235,824 ha  Area managed by PCL 172,564 ha

Number of workers (PCL) employs 330 permanent staff to administer, protect, operate and maintain the estate. This does not include contractors, seasons and volunteers. In total we have 489 staff;  Male 255  Female 75  Designated fire staff 145  Indigenous positions 3  Apprentices & Trainees 11

Assets and facilities we manage  Urban trees 631,529  Shopping centres 84  Roads and trails 3,510 km  Fences 1,387 km  Picnic areas 50  BBQ’s 189  Toilets 115  Playgrounds 452  Natural, European & Aboriginal heritage sites 349

Barriers / Challengers PCL face. PCL undertake various activities across an enormous area and some barriers that can impact on OHS are;  Poor communication.  Poor dissemination of OHS information.  Lack of or no Consultation.  Time constraints.

Strategy to break down the barriers What PCL do to ensure these issues are overcome;  Public notices, flyers  Website  Information sessions for public, staff and other stakeholders.  If staff have no access to computers, responsibility of managers/supervisors to ensure information is printed of and distributed.  All OHS information is erected on the Safety Notice Board in each facility/depot.

Strategy to break down the barriers (cont)  This is checked when Depot Safety Inspections are completed.  All important OHS information is confirmed with a signed acknowledgement form.  Regular meetings are conducted within Workers Consultation (WCU) Units discussing OHS matters.  OHS committee meet on a 6 weekly basis.  All managers/supervisors meet monthly.

Strategy to break down the barriers (cont)  Senior managers meet weekly with director.  Senior managers meet with managers/supervisors fortnightly.  PCL train staff in Personnel Efficiency Program (PEP) this educates staff to improve time management.

Barriers - Accident and Incidents 1.AIR forms not completed and notification is not within required timeframe (48 hours). 2.AIR information is not disseminated to all staff. 3.Communication is a concern, some areas have no computers or phone coverage. 4.OHS meetings are conducted with poor representation from the CWU representative.

How the Barriers are overcome. 1.Statistics from Chief Ministers Department indicate that PCL report in the required timeframe, at 72% the nearest Government agency is 30%. 2.Managers and Supervisors are required to ensure information is given to staff. All OHS information is recorded and may be used against them if systems fail. 3.All OH&S matters are follow up by either the WSR, OHS committee representative or the Safety & Support Officer. 4.OHS meetings are arrange so everyone can attend or someone represent the WCU.

How PCL Report PCL use three forms for reporting any accident or incident that happens within the Workers Consultation Unit (WCU). 1.Accident Incident Form (AIR). 2.Hazard Action (HAZACT) booklet. 3.TAMS incident report form.

1. Accident Incident Report Form 

2. Hazard Action Form (HAZACT)

3. TAMS Incident Report Form

Legal Requirements All forms used in reporting accidents or incidents are sent to the Safety & Support Officer. The information is then processed and distributed to appropriate areas. Part of the legal requirement under the ACT Public Sector Act is to report all accident and incidents within 48 hours. A statuary requirement is to notify ACT WorkCover within 7 days of a;  Death;  An injury or disease resulting in a person not able to carry out their usual duties for 7 days or more; or  A dangerous occurrence.

Responsibilities of the Employer Ensure all accidents and incidents are reported. Ensure that all employees have access to forms. Manager / Supervisor providing the preventative action ‘MUST’ discuss it with the employee and WSR. The site specific inductions covers all OHS procedures; 1. Who to report the incident to. 2. How to complete the form. 3. Report all OHS concerns no matter how small.

PCL Achieve This By;  Completed forms have a corrective/preventative actions.  Through consultation all AIR’s or HAZARDS reported are discussed within the Workplace Consultative Unit (WCU).  Provide the Safety and Support Officer with completed AIR’s, HAZACT’S or other OHS concerns.  Information is used to provide statistical reports.  The reports are discussed at OHS committee and within WCU.  A “Safety Alert” is issued if there is a safety concern, through consultation with management and staff.

Statistical Reports (DATA)  Data is collected from all reported incidents.  Reports are then produced by; 1.PCL safety and support officer. 2.Chief Ministers Department (CMD).

Statistical Reports (DATA) The data is disseminated and discussed through various ways. They are; 1.OHS committees. 2.WCU. 3.Managers / Supervisors. 4.Senior Manager meetings. 5.TAMS steering group.

Topic – Rid-on Mower Incident – Mower discharging items from the deck. This has implications on the business in several ways. 1.Potential to cause serious injury and or death to; public and or an employee. 2.Damage to property (public or other) and or government plant/equipment.

DATA

Outcomes from the Data “Safety Alerts” was raised and endorsed by Director. The safety alert was discussed within WCU and an acknowledgement form was signed by the staff. There is also a cost concern" Third Party” and this was also discussed with WCU. The WCU recommended incorporating the litter picking programme to include rock picking. Refer to handout – “Safety Alert” & acknowledgement form

DATA  After the safety alert was distributed, consulted and acknowledged there was an improvement in; 1.Incidents dropped by 40% 2.Discharged items remained the same 3.Injuries to employees decreased by 3% 4.Claims decreased by 1%

PCL Governance  Refer to handout – also on the Wiki

Terms Of Reference  Refer to wiki

Questions Does anyone have questions about this presentations?