In 1993, Newcastle City Council identified a real problem with lost time injuries. As one of the few self insurers in Local Government in Australia, an injury bill of $830,000 per annum was unacceptable and the organisation anxiously sought to reverse this trend.
Necessary changes were identified and initiated through Council’s Best Practice Program. Here staff rigorously analysed work practices and strived to improve efficiency and effectiveness organisation wide. At the same time workplace safety was put under the microscope and consultancy assistance sought to ensure all issues were addressed.
In 1994, the cost of injuries in the work place almost halved with a saving of over $400,000. Although this trend has since slowed, it is still decreasing toward the organisational goal of ‘no lost time injuries’ in the workplace.
Previously, the major contributor to lost time injury was manual handling. As a result, all Council team leaders were immediately trained in improving these processes.
Other initiatives included a corporate fitness program, a hazardous chemicals register, the development of standard operating procedures, first aid training, material safety data sheets and a counselling service for employees and their immediate family. Training is also underway in a variety of areas and is already showing favourable results.
“While many people say workplace safety is just commonsense, it does rely on all staff becoming familiar with set procedures and working together as a team,” said Lloyd Arnott, Council’s Director of Engineering Services. He said that staff must become aware of the dangers, receive appropriate training and equipment, and develop safe working procedures owned by all team members. Staff will then be more committed to deliver the desired outcomes.
“While Newcastle is still some way from the Dupont Best Practice model, we are, nevertheless, in a stronger position than three years ago,” Lloyd Arnott said. “We will continue to improve because our staff, through the Best Practice Program, can clearly identify the benefits.”
For further information contact Gary Sullivan, Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator, telephone (049) 67 9887 or Lloyd Arnott, Director Engineering Services, telephone (049) 29 9178.
