The Shire of Carnamah has made safety in the workplace a number one priority. It has been so successful that it was one of two Councils in Western Australia awarded the 2000 WorkCare Safety Award for commitment to Occupational Safety and Health.
Carnamah has been progressively implementing a safety strategy since the mid 1990s when it was experiencing a high number of long term injuries relative to the size of the Council.
Located 300 kilometres north of Perth, Carnamah has 30 staff and 1,000 residents.
A WorkSafe Plan Assessment conducted in 1999 showed significant advances in management commitment, planning, construction, hazard management and training, compared to an assessment two years earlier.
This is reflected in workers compensation claims data, which saw a 99.88 percent reduction in the number of days lost from 857.5 in 1997/98 to just one in 1998/99.
“The improvement began with the introduction of a Health and Safety Committee in the mid 1990s,” said Lance Croft, Chief Executive Officer. “There are five members on the committee, including two nominated members of staff.
“Council provided finances in the budget to carry out various initiatives that resulted in reduced claims and a safer workplace.
“These included safety and sun protection clothing for all of the outdoor workforce, operations procedures for all plant, and the development of an extensive safety policy and manual covering all areas of Council work.”
To reduce staff turnover, and thus preserve the investment in vital training and procedures, over award payments have been introduced.
“Health and safety initiative payments have also been introduced,” Lance Croft said.
“A bonus is paid to each employee around Christmas time, if they have lost no time through avoidable incidents. Injury caused by the actions of other staff and straight out accidents will not jeopardise the bonus. Staff working in high risk areas receive higher bonuses.”
For further information contact Lance Croft, Chief Executive Officer, telephone (08) 9951 1055.
