Appendix G
Occupational health and safety
OH&S policies
In 2005–06 the Archives completed occupational health and safety (OH&S) policies on fitness for duty and workplace harassment. These included release of Guidelines on Reporting and Resolving Allegations of Workplace Harassment and the Occupational Health and Safety Strategic Plan 2005–07. Work is under way on a first aid policy.
OH&S committees and representatives
The Archives has at least one OH&S representative at each Archives’ office. Occupational health and safety matters are dealt with by a committee or through staff meetings where an office is not large enough to have a committee.
Vacancies for OH&S representatives were filled in accordance with the National Archives’ Occupational Health and Safety Agreement 2005–08.
Health and safety measures
The Archives provided influenza vaccinations to employees free of charge as part of the provisions of the National Archives of Australia Certified Agreement 2004–07. The influenza shots were offered to all staff, and approximately 160 employees participated.
The Archives continued to promote a supportive working environment by providing staff with access to the Employee Assistance Program and to financial and career counselling. Home-based work arrangements were made available to staff where appropriate.
The Archives continued to coordinate workstation assessments for staff and to implement strategies for avoiding occupational overuse syndrome and manual handling injuries. Training was also provided to First Aid Officers (refresher and senior first aid for new officers) and to Harassment Contact Officers (for new employees undertaking the role).
Through its internal fortnightly staff publication, Grapevine, the Archives promotes safe working practices and a healthy and balanced lifestyle for all staff.
The Archives ran ‘Health Week’ in all its offices during October 2005. It provided staff with information and activities designed to improve their safety at work and their over-all health and well-being. Health Week tied in with the aim of the Occupational Health and Safety Strategic Plan 2005–07: a safer and healthier workplace for all Archives staff, volunteers, visitors and contractors.
Incidents and investigations
No formal investigations were carried out during 2005–06. Three incidents were reported to Comcare under section 68 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991 (OH&S Act). No directions were given to the Archives under section 45 of the OH&S Act, and no notices were given under sections 29, 46 and 47 of the Act.