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November
2004
To
NOHSC or not to NOHSC?
A
significant moment in the world of occupational health and safety
occurred in March 2004, when Australia ratified the International
Labor Organisation Convention No.155 (Occupational Health and
Safety 1981).
While it occurred without much fanfare or public attention, this
ratification means Australia has committed, internationally,
to implement a national health and safety policy in consultation
with employer and worker representatives.
The ANF was particularly pleased about this move, given Australia
already has a national OHS strategy (National OHS Strategy 2002-2012,)
and the ratification of the convention gives this plan even greater
significance.
The strategy was achieved by the National Occupational Health
and Safety Commission (NOHSC), a tripartite body, comprising
representatives from government, employers, and unions, which
leads national efforts to prevent workplace death, injury and
disease.
In May 2002, the Workplace Relations Ministers Council (WRMC)
endorsed the National OHS Strategy 2002 - 2012, and committed
all states and territories to minimum national OHS targets and
national priorities.
Despite this, the Australian Government earlier this year decided
to abolish NOHSC. A new body is to be established, called the
Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC).
This body will not have legislated powers and responsibilities
like NOHSC; it is unclear how stakeholder representatives will
be appointed to it; it may not be the sole advisor to the ministers
on OHS; and it will also advise on workers' compensation as well
as OHS.
This last point is of great concern, as workers' compensation
is such a large, complex issue that it deserves attention on
its own.
The ANF is concerned the ASCC will concentrate on insurance aspects
of compensation at the expense of OHS.
These changes are due to take place in January 2005, but the
ANF is continuing to argue Australia needs a national body, dedicated
to OHS, with regulated tripartite membership, and legislated
powers and guidelines, to be the definitive policy advisor to
Australian governments on OHS.
Box:
NOHSC statistics:
-
Total cost of workplace injury and illness to the Australian
economy - $34.3 billion per year (5% of GDP)
- Direct
cost to employers of compensation premiums - $7.5 billion per
year
- Estimated
dollar cost of pain, suffering and early death - $48 billion
per year
- Estimated
number of fatalities per year through workplace accidents/injury/disease
- 5,400 per year
Source: Australian Government - National Occupational Health
and Safety Commission: The cost of work-related injury and illness
for Australian employers, workers and the community, Canberra
August 2004
Ged Cowin
Assistant Federal Secretary
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