Workplace health, safety and injury management
Workplace health, safety and injury management
We are committed to making the safety and wellbeing of staff and students a priority and to ensuring every school and worksite is a child safe organisation.
To achieve this, we are working in alignment with directions around safety and wellbeing published in Focus 2024, in which our Director General’s message highlights that ‘we have a duty and moral obligation to keep our students and staff safe in our schools and workplaces’.
Since transitioning to the new Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA) and accompanying regulations in 2022, we have focused on the introduction of codes of practice, published by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS), for psychosocial hazards in the workplace, violence and aggression at work and workplace behaviour.
The Work Health Safety (General) Regulations 2022 (WA) include more specific requirements for managing the risks of noise, hazardous chemicals, airborne contaminants and plant. We have responded to the introduction of DEMIRS codes of practice for managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work, and welding processes, by applying a risk‑based approach and prevention strategies, in collaboration with affected schools and stakeholders.
In 2023, we implemented a revised psychosocial hazard identification and management process for all school leaders and workplaces. The revised process included training, templates and a psychosocial risk training program tailored for managers, principals and staff. The training is delivered in‑person, online and at community forums.
We continued to actively promote the election of health and safety representatives (HSRs), and workplace safety committees. The number of HSRs registered in 2023–24 increased by 54% (855 representatives) compared to 2022–23 (554 representatives).
In 2023–24, health and safety‑focused school visits remained a priority, with 110 visits completed. Additional visits were conducted to resolve safety issues, conduct investigations and provide training.
For details on our workplace health and safety performance indicators, refer to Table 14.
Table 14: Workplace health and safety performance indicators 2021–22 to 2023–24
| Indicator | 2021–22 | 2022–23 | 2023–24 | Target(a) | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of fatalities | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Target not achieved |
| Lost time injury/disease incidence rate(b) | 2.7 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 0 or 10% improvement on 2021–22 | Target not achieved |
| Lost time injury/disease severity rate(c) | 37.0 | 46.8 | 45.1 | 0 or 10% improvement on 2021–22 | Target not achieved |
| % of injured workers returned to work within 13 weeks | 77% | 66% | 65% | No target | – |
| % of injured workers returned to work within 26 weeks | 89% | 77% | 76% | Greater than or equal to 80% | Target not achieved |
| % of managers trained in work health and safety injury management responsibilities, including refresher training within 3 years(d) | 80% | 39%(e) | 85% | Greater than or equal to 80% | Target achieved |
(a) As defined by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
(b) Number of incidents resulting in lost time per 100 full‑time equivalent staff.
(c) Number of incidents resulting in lost time classified as severe per 100 incidents resulting in lost time.
(d) The figure is based on current principals who have ever completed the training by 30 June.
(e) This figure is lower than the target due to the transition to the new Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA).
Source: Insurance Commission of Western Australia and Department of Education’s Workforce
Workplace health, safety and injury management - 2
Staff health and wellbeing
In September 2023, we released our Staff health and wellbeing strategy 2023–2027 and Principal health and wellbeing strategy 2023–2027. The strategies contain initiatives focused on building a health and wellbeing culture that prioritises, strengthens and supports staff in schools and workplaces.
We have commenced the first stage of initiatives, including:
- a suite of online resources and information to support staff and principal wellbeing, with a priority on mental health
- health and wellbeing coaching for principals
- incorporating health and wellbeing into professional learning programs
- resources and supports to enable schools to respond to wellbeing priorities within their specific context.
The Employee Assistance program (EAP) contract review was successfully concluded, reinforcing our commitment to support the mental health and wellbeing of all staff and their immediate families. In 2023–24, the take‑up of EAP services was 9.0% (7.4% in 2022–23). The Manager Assistance program was also available to provide managers and leaders with direct access to services in response to critical incidents or traumatic events, and in‑person mediation training.
We have also renewed our occupational physician service, assisting principals and managers to support staff with non‑work‑related injuries and illnesses.
Injury management
Preparation for the introduction of the new Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act 2023 (WA) in July 2024 has coincided with existing process improvement initiatives. We have focused on improving early intervention, triage and sustainable return‑to‑work processes.
Asbestos awareness and management
The National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Awareness and Management 2019–2023 (NSP) aims to eliminate asbestos‑related diseases in Australia by preventing exposure to asbestos fibres. The Asbestos National Strategic Plan: Phase Three 2024–30 has been developed and is awaiting agreement of the Australian Government and state and territory governments.
We undertook the following to meet the NSP priorities of asbestos awareness, identification and removal.
Asbestos awareness
- We have a comprehensive Asbestos Management Plan with procedural arrangements to ensure appropriate and timely management of any asbestos‑related matter.
- Online asbestos awareness training is mandatory for all school principals (site managers), deputy principals, managers corporate services, head cleaners, senior gardeners and gardeners who work alone.
- We monitored mandatory asbestos awareness training compliance.
- Supporting material was made available to raise awareness about asbestos for all school staff. Principals are asked to distribute this as part of the new school year process for all school staff.
Identification
- All our sites have an asbestos‑containing material (ACM) register that documents the location and condition of all known and suspected ACM identified through visual inspection.
- ACM registers are updated through formal audits that occur at intervals as recommended by an independent assessor, but not exceeding 3 years, and on an as‑required basis to reflect details of any significant ACM removal.
- Our ACM registers are maintained by the Department of Finance and are available at each site.
Removal
- Where ACM with a risk rating of 1 or 2 is identified, it is remediated immediately by the Department of Finance.
- We are allocated funding of $3 million each year for high‑priority removal of ACM from schools.
- All ACM removal is managed through the Department of Finance as it manages all asbestos‑related works. These works can only be undertaken by a suitably qualified contractor.