Lost time injuries (LTI) have declined from 47 in 1999 to 30 in 2004 at Bankstown City Council in New South Wales, partly due to new accreditation systems. Civic Services Group General Manager, Klaus Kerzinger, said Occupational Health and Safety, Environment and Quality Management Systems at Bankstown are now recognised as being world class.
“In terms of the number of LTIs there has been a significant reduction since 2000,” he said. “This has coincided with the cultural changes that evolved as apart of out Quality System accreditation. There are now few LTIs attributable to work system failures. They are more likely to be caused by operator error, site condition such as uneven ground giving rise to ankle and knee injuries, or failure to follow instructed procedures.”
In 2003, Bankstown City Council’s Civic Services Group (CSG) became the first government organisation in Australia to gain AS/NZS ISO 9001:2000, AS/NZS ISO 14001:1996 and AS/NZS 4801:2001 certification for its Quality, Environmental and Safety Management Systems on its first attempt.
Klaus Kerzinger said these management systems assist CSG to consistently deliver high quality, cost effective and efficient services.
“They also ensure staff will always be safe at work and that local environmental controls are always put in place,” he said. “CSG’s success is as a result of driving change through these management systems.
“The focus is on reform, directing funds and time into training and changing the work ethic and culture of staff. All this work has increased profits, customer base and satisfaction, industry reputation and has resulted in the achievement of international certification.”
“Achieving international certification for CSG’s management systems is confirmation that CSG, as part of Bankstown City Council, provides a quality service to all customers, especially local residents.”
For more information contact Klaus Kerzinger on (02) 9707 9666.
