The Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) leads and coordinates national activities to prevent workplace death, injury and disease, and improve workers’ compensation arrangements and the rehabilitation and return to work of injured workers. The ASCC succeeds the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission and is made up of representatives from the Australian and State and Territory Governments, the Australian Council of Trade Unions and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The ASCC also provides policy advice to the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council (WRMC) on OHS and workers’ compensation arrangements to deliver nationally consistent frameworks, and implements the National OHS Strategy 2002-2012 endorsed by WRMC. The Office of the ASCC supports the work of the ASCC and is a source of national research and statistical information relating to OHS and workers’ compensation.
Government leadership – a safety essential
Governments are recognised under the National OHS Strategy 2002-2012 as major employers, policy makers, regulators and purchasers of equipment and services, and have considerable influence to achieve better OHS and injury management outcomes.
Local Governments can champion change beyond their own organisations through leading by example.
When Local Governments demonstrate the advantages of excellence in OHS and injury management performance, they set the standard for business to benefit from safe working environments. This encourages improvements from those industries they deal with, either as employers or clients.
Recognising excellence
To recognise excellence in Local Government leadership and commitment to OHS and injury management performance, the ASCC is sponsoring an award under the Management Practices Category in the Australian Government’s National Awards for Local Government hosted by the Department of Transport and Regional Services. Local Governments are encouraged to showcase their OHS commitment and achievements by entering these Awards.
For more information about the OHS award under the Management Practices Category, please contact Rita Giraldi at the Office of the ASCC on (02) 6121 9108.
To further recognise the commitment of Local Governments as leaders in workplace safety, the ASCC hosts the national Safe Work Australia Awards each year and in 2006 some jurisdictions will be including a public sector category.
To be considered for the national awards you must first enter and win the category in your State or Territory. The ASCC encourages all Local Governments to enter.
For further information about your Council’s eligibility to enter the national awards, contact your State or Territory OHS authority, or visit www.ascc.gov.au
