National Occupational Health and Safety Strategy 2002-2012
Overview of National Strategy
The National Occupational Health and Safety Strategy 2002-2012 (National Strategy) provides a basis for developing sustainable, safe and healthy work environments and for reducing the number of people hurt or killed at work.
The National Strategy was agreed to by all Australian Governments, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Australian Council of Trade Unions. The National Strategy sets very clear goals for occupational safety and health and is a key initiative to improve Australia's occupational safety and health performance.
As a step towards achieving the national vision of Australian workplaces free from death, injury and disease, the National Strategy has set the following targets:
- to sustain a significant, continual reduction in the incidents of work-related fatalities with a reduction of at least 20 per cent by 30 June 2012 (with a reduction of 10 per cent being achieved by 30 June 2007); and
- to reduce the incidence of workplace injury by at least 40 per cent by 30 June 2012 (with a reduction of 20 per cent being achieved by 30 June 2007).
Five priorities are identified in the National Strategy to achieve short and long-term occupational safety and health improvement and to nurture longer-term cultural change are to reduce the impact of risk at work; improve the capacity of business operators and workers to manage occupational safety and health effectively; eliminate hazards at the design stage; prevent occupational disease more effectively; and strengthen the capacity of Government to influence occupational safety and health outcomes.
The National Strategy focuses on particular occupational safety and health risks and industry sectors to maximise the impact of its initiatives. The risks account for more than half of the workers' compensation claims across Australia.
There are five priority industries targeted in the National Strategy:
- agriculture, forestry and fishing;
- building and construction;
- health and community services;
- manufacturing; and
- transport and storage.
These industries were chosen because they were identified through data analysis as having the highest incidence rates and/or high numbers of workers' compensation claims compared with other industries. By working with these industries, not only are lives being saved but these industries will set examples of occupational safety and health best practice for other employers to follow.
Achieving the goals of the National Strategy
The Australian Safety and Compensation Council is working to achieve the ambitious goals of the National Strategy through a variety of means including:
- developing and reviewing National occupational safety and health standards and codes of practice;
- supporting the development of National occupational safety and health units of competency to be included in all vocational education training whether that be delivered through schools, TAFE colleges or on the job;
- providing practical information to support the training of tertiary level students in the importance of designing safe products, safe buildings, safe processes and safe systems;
- raising awareness of the importance of occupational safety and health through national campaigns such as Safe Work Australia Week;
- encouraging excellence in occupational safety and health through the National Safe Work Australia Awards; and
- improving across Government, the collection and analysis of workers' compensation data and research to inform policy and regulatory frameworks which improve decision making within Government.
Well managed occupational safety and health and workers' compensation systems thrive in a culture where value is given to consistent and well managed occupational safety and health policy. It is the National Strategy's aim to drive this policy and the responsibility of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council to be its champion.
First review of the National Strategy
The first review of the National Strategy was conducted during 2004-05. The review noted that the National Strategy is contributing to improvement in occupational safety and health because it:
- sets targets based on data;
- provides a focus for national efforts enabling resources to be used to greater effect; and
- establishes a framework which encourages the development of new relationships between governments, business and employees.
As a result of the review, the National Strategy has adopted an additional goal for Australia to achieve the lowest rate of work-related traumatic fatalities in the world by 2009.
|
