Our vision, goals and strategies

Vision:  A Western Australia public sector where safety, health and injury management are core values and in world's best practice; every employee feels safe at work; injuries are effectively managed and employees are assisted to return to work; and a safety and health culture is a critical element of service delivery to the community.

Direction: To develop a culture within the Western Australian public sector that advocates and supports a workplace free of work-related injuries and diseases.

1. To ensure Western Australia complies with the National Occupational Health and Safety Strategy 2002-2012 to sustain a significant, continual reduction in the incidence of work-related fatalities with a reduction of at least 20 per cent by June 2012 (and with a reduction of 10 per cent by 30 June 2007) and 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);
2. To establish occupational safety and health and injury management systems that will allow agencies to meet obligations under state legislation;
3. To engage the commitment from Ministers and Chief Executive Officers to the principles of occupational safety, health and injury management and achievement of a high standard of occupational safety, health and injury management for the WA public sector workforce; and
4. To encourage employees, unions, WorkSafe, WorkCover and RiskCover to work collaboratively in the management of public sector workplace safety and injury management.

• Set and implement performance targets consistent with the National Strategy Occupational Health and Safety 2002-2012;
• Develop mechanisms for achieving occupational safety and health and injury management performance targets including financial incentives;
• Establish a long- term structure for the management of occupational safety and health and injury management in the public sector;
• Conduct research, collect data and perform evaluations to provide information for effective occupational safety and health practices and return to work outcomes;
• Obtain Premier's Safety Commitment;
• Incorporate occupational safety, health and injury management requirements in Chief Executive Officer performance agreements;
• Encourage Chief Executive Officers to demonstrate leadership and a commitment to occupational safety and health and injury management;
• Enforce reporting and accountability requirements for agencies and their Chief Executive Officers;
• Promote a network among occupational safety and health and injury management practitioners;
• Establish a whole of government approach to occupational safety, health and injury management training for managers and supervisors;
• Acknowledge best practice performance across the Western Australian public sector;
• Share relevant occupational safety, health and injury management information with a view to identifying and developing strategies in response to issues of concern to workplace safety; and
• Work in consultation and cooperation with employers, employees and unions to develop management systems, policies and procedures.