Occupational Health and Safety
VCOSS Community Sector OHS Education Project
OHS Training - Stay Tuned for 2010 training dates
OHS Equipment Grants
Free OHS Consultations
Community Sector Investment Fund Workcover Initiative
VCOSS Community Sector OHS Education Project
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is consistently identified as a priority concern for community sector organisations across Victoria, and VCOSS is supporting a number of initiatives in this area. Extensive negotiations between the DHS Community Sector Investment Fund team, the Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS) and WorkSafe were undertaken towards addressing Occupational Health and Safety Issues in the sector. The CSIF has funded VCOSS, working in partnership with WorkSafe, to develop and deliver an integrated OHS education strategy for the community services sector. This is a positive and exciting initiative with DHS, WorkSafe and VCOSS working together in partnership to improve OH&S education in the community sector, with an emphasis on small organisations.
“Training aids [on OHS] are available but the training process is not rigorous.”
“There are a huge number of resources in OHS,’ said another, ‘but no one knows how to access them.”
(VCOSS member comments during 2005 training needs analysis)
To assist in providing appropriate and comprehensive training, VCOSS is working in collaboration with WorkSafe Victoria, DHS, relevant peak bodies and trade unions to develop and deliver an integrated OHS education strategy specifically for the community services sector. The VCOSS Community Sector OHS Education Project is the result of this collaborative effort and aims to increase awareness of OHS issues in the community services sector and equip staff, employers and volunteers with the tools to tackle any potential problems.
The first phase of the project was the completion of a needs analysis of OHS resources and training available to the sector. A number of recommendations came out of the needs analysis, including the need to provide sector specific training on OHS, the creation of a community services sector OHS website as well as the development of a campaign around issues associated with occupational violence.
Visit us at www.communityohs.org.au for information and resources.
OHS Training - Stay tuned for 2010 training dates!
To give effect to the needs analysis recommendation for community services sector specific OHS training, VCOSS runs OHS Training on a variety of topics. For more information about 2010 training dates, please contact Erin Wicking – Sector Development Administrative Assistant at erin.wicking@vcoss.org.au or on (03) 9654 5050.
NB - Training is available to employees and volunteers of community organisations only
VCOSS is participating in the WorkSafe Community Sector Prevention Fund Project through the distribution of OHS equipment grants. The grants will support not-for-profit community service organisations (CSOs) in Victoria to improve workplace health and safety through the purchase of equipment and/or modifications to address identified OHS hazards.
CSOs can use the one-off grants (of up to $5000 including GST) towards the purchase of equipment and/or modifications which will eliminate or reduce hazards in their workplace.
All you need to know about the grants, eligibility and how to apply is detailed on the Community OHS website
VCOSS collaborates with WorkSafe Victoria to deliver free three-hour OHS consultations through the Small Business Safety Program. This offer is open to all Victorian community service organisations with up to 50 employees (full-time equivalent, not including volunteers). All you need to do is register and an independent consultant will visit your workplace for up to three hours to provide expert advice on OHS and help you put together a Safety Action Plan, free of charge. Click here to register.
Once you have completed the form please fax to VCOSS on (03) 9654 5749.
Be acknowledged for improving health and safety - Apply for a Recognition Certificate today!
Organisations that have been part of the VCOSS Free 3 hour OHS audit or similar program are eligible for a Recognition Certificate.
Organisations that have completed over 80% of the action items listed on their Safety Action Plan are eligible for a free follow up visit from an auditor to review the items listed in the Action Plan. If the auditor is satisfied that the items have been actioned to a satisfactory level and that there has been a genuine attempt to implement changes, the organisation will be eligible for a Recognition Certificate, acknowledging their commitment to workplace safety!
If your organisation is interested in being part of this program, please contact Laura Mondon at VCOSS on (03) 9654 5050 or laura.mondon@vcoss.org.au
Community Sector Investment Fund Community Workcover Initiative
Identifying a WorkCover insurance premium that provides good value is a pressing concern for community organisations. A new VCOSS initiative has researched and selected ‘preferred providers’ for the community sector.
In 2006 all six WorkCover insurers were invited by VCOSS to tender for community sector business. A panel of expert WorkCover consultants and community sector peak body representatives found two organisations, Cambridge Integrated Services (Victoria) Pty Ltd and Gallagher Bassett Workers Compensation Victoria Pty Ltd, stood out as demonstrating that they could add value to the services they provide for community organisations, such as:
- Training tailored to needs and delivered at the local level
- Senior level account management for organisations if they are members of this initiative
- Expert advice
- Customised assistance with claims management
While organisation's insurance premiums will not be affected in the short-term if a preferred provider is selected, it is expected that better quality insurance services will lead to improved workplace safety and a reduction in WorkCover claims, which should lower premiums in the longer term.
VCOSS and its partners in this initiative warmly encourage community service organisations to consider transferring their business to a preferred provider.
Cambridge Integrated Services (Victoria) Pty Ltd transfer form
Gallagher Bassett Workers Compensation Victoria Pty Ltd transfer form
This initiative was supported by the Community Sector Investment Fund, in partnership with the following organisations:
