OHS Professionals Update 2011 Strategic Safety
Program Update Harmonised Work Health and Safety Laws Health and Safety Professionals Alliance VET Training Review WorkSafe Victoria initiatives OHS Core Body Of Knowledge Project
Updates: Harmonised WHS laws Health and Safety Professionals Alliance VET Training Review Clarke Martin WorkSafe Victoria
National harmonisation update Victorian Government support for OHS harmonisation subject to jobs being protected, no increased compliance costs and no more onerous regulations Victorian Government has sought at least a 12-month delay A Victorian impact study now underway- several months New OHS laws highly unlikely on 1 January 2012 5
Background Started in 2007 HaSPA OHS Professional bodies, Tertiary OHS Educators & WorkSafe Actions to date Agreed Code of Ethics and Service Standards New Certified OHS Consultants Directory Services Draft Core Body of Knowledge Tertiary OHS course accreditation body Current Activities Advocating for reforms to OHS VET Training Certification of OHS stakeholders Transition to national arena
VET Training Review Coordinated by Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA) Planned to be complete by January 2012 OHS Professional consulting on this review Scope to cover OHS qualification offered nationally for OHS officers as well as generic OHS units used as base for OHS in other training packages. Consultation period ended 3 rd October. Responses now being analysed.
Updates: Medium Segment Strategy Owner Visit Program Consultants Directory Sheryn Paterson WorkSafe Victoria
Why a Medium Strategy? Number of employers Total: 204, 596 (September 2011) Large 535 Govt. 16 Medium 12,129 6% Number of standardised claims Total: 29,194 (30 June 2011) Small, 7,392 25% Govt 2,875 10% Small 19,1911 94% Does not include family farms, sports stars, taxi drivers, sub contractors etc. (Approx 100,000 workers) Medium 11,473 39% Large 7,454 26%
Building OHS and RTW Capability Delivering tailored interventions to medium business. Engaging with Directors and Owners 6 hour Free OHS service Medium Segment Strategy Supporting the Juggler Improved OHS/RTW Capability Build OHS & RTW capability in Jugglers Developing the capability of OHS professional community
Owner Visit Program Objectives 1. Implement a culture of safety within organisations driven by senior management 2. Build on the current safety systems within an organisation to make them more effective 3. Reduce the number of claims (and duration) 4. Improve RTW outcomes 5. Promote the benefit of maintaining a relationship with a suitably qualified OHS professional
Owner Visit Program Process 1. Target and approach organisations 2. 1 hour meeting with owner/directors and senior management Discuss OHS/RTW performance, obligations and Premium costs Offer 6 hour free OHS consultancy 3. 6 hour OHS consultancy Dedicated OHS professionals Assist in development of Safety Improvement Plan (SIP) 4. Local inspector monitors implementation of SIPs over period of time
It s all based on the 7 Pillars 1. Senior management roles and accountability 2. Strategic planning 3. Recording and Reporting 4. Training and Supervision 5. Consultation 6. Hazard Management 7. Injury Management and RTW
Owner Visit Program so far 2010/2011 195 organisations Ongoing Findings Owners and directors are keen to be involved Owners and directors unaware they can impact premium Owners and directors welcome strategic input from consultants Smaller mediums struggle to develop SIP SIPs are generally hitting the mark Culture change can lead to sustained improvements
Owner Visit Program a case Decentralised organisation spread across nation (and SE Asia) Premium Employer Performance Ratio is above 247% (Av is100%) Inspector sitting at table Director SE Australasia operations Director acknowledged systematic management of safety had slipped Welcomed six hour consultation Wider issue of stock transport identified in greater workplace which is affecting other businesses. WorkSafe aware and will investigate Consultation in progress
6 hour OHS consultants Tender process Suitably qualified highlighting experience, expertise Detailed service schedules Ongoing guidance and consultation While consultants have found this work challenging they also find it very rewarding Many have developed ongoing work
Suitably Qualified Section 12 guidance S.22(2)(b) How WorkSafe applies the law in relation to Employing or engaging suitably qualified persons to provide health and safety advice
Suitably Qualified WorkSafe actively promoting suitably qualified professionals WorkSafe Find an OHS Professional 6 hour tender Compliance activities Enforceable undertakings Persons providing OHS advice find value in becoming certified with an OHS Professional body and provide services that are consistent with that body s policies, using evidence based practices.
Consultants Directory WorkSafe website refers direct to representative bodies of OHS professionals OHS professionals urged to join relevant professional organisation to ensure they: - demonstrate minimum levels of professionalism and qualification - participate in ongoing professional development - list their services on professional association websites find a professional They are therefore suitably qualified OHS professionals.
Final Message Join a professional association today Australian and New Zealand Society of Occupational Medicine Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (Royal Australasian College of Physicians) Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia Safety Institute of Australia
OHS Core Body of Knowledge Project Update Pam Pryor Chair Body of Knowledge Technical Panel
The OHS Body of Knowledge The OHS Practitioner and the OHS Professional Pam Pryor Chair Technical Panel
OHS professions and where you sit The generalist OHS professional The OHS Body of Knowledge project OHS Model of practice OHS course accreditation Certification of generalist OHS professionals and practitioners Where to from here for you?
Ergonomist Occupational Nurse OHS Generalist Occupational Hygienist Occupational Physician Occupational Psychologist..
one who applies a multidisciplinary Body of Knowledge in a unique way to provide enterprises with advice on the organisational arrangements that will lead to the systemic and systematic management and reduction of fatality, injury, disease and ill-health
.This industry may benefit from some form of industry based accreditation scheme, similar to those operating in the accounting field, so that customers can gain a level of confidence about the consultants that they may engage (Maxwell, 2004 p. 271).
No regulatory framework or education requirements Lack of uniformity across OHS education programs No benchmark for assessing competence of those giving OHS professional advice Impacts on delivery of advice to improve OHS Impacts on influence to achieve change
Established the requirement for professional certification Minimum education standards Demonstrated competence Experience CPD Commitment to code of ethics Process managed by professional associations
1. Define OHS Body of Knowledge 2. Develop and implement accreditation criteria and process for OHS professional education programs 3. Develop a certification process for OHS professionals
Not a text book Not a program of study or a curriculum Not a series of dot points Not competency statements It is the knowledge underpinning competency It is able to be applied in different frameworks and contexts
Inform OHS education but not prescribe a curriculum Provide a basis for course accreditation Provide a basis for professional certification Inform Continuing Professional Development Provide a benchmark for OHS practice for employers and recruiters
Global concepts Health Safety Work Technical concepts Foundation science Socio-political context System The organisation Hazards The Human Causation Control Practice Risk
Hazard as a concept Biomechanical Chemical Biological Psycho-social Psychosocial hazards and occupational stressors Fatigue Bullying, aggression and violence Physical Noise and vibration Electricity Radiation Thermal (hot/cold environments, processes and objects) Gravitational (people and things falling from heights), slips and trips Mechanical plant, pressure and mechanical strain Mobile plant Vehicles
Model of OHS Practice
INSHPO meeting on International Standards for OHS Practice: Istanbul 2011 Australian approach to OHS Body of Knowledge is easily internationalisable Further discussions on comparison of: Certification requirements Qualification levels Role and tasks Accreditation of courses
Criteria and process based on Research of similar professions/bodies Consultation with educators and OHS professionals Criteria covers Academic program Learning environment Operating environment Quality systems
Independent body auspiced by the Safety Institute of Australia comprising representation from OHS professionals Senior OHS academics Senior education academic Industry including employer and union Representative of the SIA, AIOH, HFESA, ANZOM An OHS regulator Assessments undertaken by assessment panels
one who applies a multidisciplinary Body of Knowledge in a unique way to provide enterprises with advice on the organisational arrangements that will lead to the systemic and systematic management and reduction of fatality, injury, disease and ill-health
Comparative analysis 2 x focus groups with senior OHS professionals (also employers) Focus group with OHS professional associations Presentation to HaSPA for broader input Further discussion with OHS professional associations Recommendations discussed at HaSPA Further discussions with OHS professional bodies Pilot program
Three levels Practitioner Implementer, oversight and drive compliance Effectively use a range of OHS tools and processes Work under supervision (may be remote) Professional Core of profession Problem solvers based on conceptual and technical knowledge, analysis of evidence and critical thought mediated by experience Likely to work solo or give direction to others High level professional Designer of strategy and influential with senior managers High level specialist or strategic skills Considers broader organisational and social context
Certified OHS practitioner Certified OHS Professional Chartered OHS Prof snl VET Diploma OHS Degree, GD or masters OR Challenge Assessment 2 yrs 3 yrs or equiv incl 12 months post education PhD or masters in OHS related area OR Evidence of operating at high levels 10 years org experience, 5 yrs OHS Portfolio, employer report/referees Portfolio, referees CPD CPD CPD Reflective journal, referees, interview Code of ethics Code of ethics Code of ethics
Certification promotes a specified role for OHS practitioners (which is currently the situation is US and EU but not Australia) OHS Practitioner role is an important role in its own right, not just a step on the way to OHS Professional OHS Practitioner (implementer) role requires a different set of skills to that of OHS Professional Certification will be accompanied by a communication strategy which will benefit all practitioners and professionals
Australian OHS Professional Certification Board (Generalist) Independent body auspiced by a body owned by the OHS professional bodies comprising representation from OHS professionals Representative of the SIA, AIOH, HFESA, ANZSOM Industry including employer and union An OHS regulator Independent member Assessments undertaken by assessment panels/approved persons
August/October 2011: Proposed criteria and structure put to HaSPA October 2011: Further discussion by the OHS professional bodies Late 2011: Pilot program conducted by the Body of Knowledge project auspiced by the SIA January 2012 June 2012: Planning for implementation including development of communication strategy for practitioners, professionals, employers, recruiters and the community July 2012?: Commencement of certification process
Detailed planning Pilot process Support activities for transition Planned staged communication strategy OHS professional and practitioners Employers, recruiters, regulators, unions The community
OHS professions and where you sit The generalist OHS professional The OHS Body of Knowledge project OHS Model of practice OHS course accreditation Certification of generalist OHS professionals and practitioners Where to from here for you?
What does this mean for you?
Principles Ensure integrity of certification process and recognition of process That there will be support processes and activities during the transition period for both professionals and practitioners
Questions?