25 July 2008 Media Release
Australian Safety and Compensation Council Meets in Melbourne
The Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) met for the ninth time in Melbourne yesterday.
Chairman of the ASCC, Mr Bill Scales AO, stated that he was very pleased with the outcomes of the meeting.
The ASCC agreed to publish a literature review on Asbestos exposure, management and control: national and international experiences, in line with its decision in May 2007 to improve the collection of information on mesothelioma. The ASCC agreed to conduct further research into this area.
The ASCC also agreed to publish a study, Preparing an estimate of the national pattern of exposure to asbestos in cases of malignant mesothelioma.
“The Council also agreed to further work toward the future operation of the Australian Mesothelioma Register and will consider a business case canvassing options for its enhancement at its next meeting,” Mr Scales said.
The ASCC considered a benchmark survey on the nature and extent of exposures to a range of disease causing hazards, and workplace controls to reduce these exposures.
“The National Hazard Exposure Worker Survey will assist the ASCC to measure OHS performance over time, as well as assist decisions on disease prevention,” Mr Scales said.
The ASCC also noted the outcomes from the first Stevedoring Technical Group meeting and work being undertaken by the Maritime Union of Australia. The technical group is progressing important work to develop national material for the stevedoring industry.
Mr Scales said that ASCC endorsed a range of activities associated with the upcoming Safe Work Australia Week and was pleased to announce that all ASCC members would become Safety Ambassadors.
“Being a Safety Ambassador is a great privilege and in this role ASCC members will take the safety message to workplaces across Australia” said Mr Scales.
Further outcomes of the ASCC meeting are outlined in the attached communiqué.
Communiqué of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council
Key issues discussed and matters agreed by the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) at its ninth meeting yesterday are outlined below:
The future of mesothelioma data collection
The ASCC agreed to the publication of the study Preparing an estimate of the national pattern of exposure to asbestos in cases of malignant mesothelioma on the ASCC website. This study is a detailed statistical report analysing data from the WA mesothelioma register and from the NSW Dust Diseases Board.
The ASCC also agreed to publish the literature review on Asbestos exposure, management and control: national and international experiences. This is the second in a series of literature reviews agreed by the ASCC in May 2007. The purpose of the review was to identify information on current work practices and exposures which may be occurring in Australian and overseas workplaces. Policies and practices regarding the management of asbestos in Australia and in comparable countries were also examined. The review will be available on the ASCC website shortly.
Given the paucity of information on work practices in workplaces with in situ asbestos, the ASCC agreed to conduct further research in Australian workplaces on current levels of compliance to regulations, barriers to compliance and any resulting exposure to asbestos.
The ASCC also agreed to further work toward the future operation of the Australian Mesothelioma Register and will consider a business case canvassing options for its enhancement at its next meeting.
Safe Work Australia Week
The ASCC agreed to actively promote Safe Work Australia Week, which will be held from 19 to 25 October. Safe Work Australia Week is an opportunity for employers and employees to focus on safety in the workplace and foster a safe and healthy workplace culture. ASCC members committed to becoming Safe Work Australia Week Safety Ambassadors. The ASCC members join ASCC Chairman Bill Scales AO and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Secretary Lisa Paul AO as Safety Ambassadors, with a selection of leading Australians set to follow.
National Hazard Exposure Worker Survey
The ASCC is reviewing data from the first nationally representative worker survey on the nature and extent of exposures to a range of disease causing hazards. This survey also collected data on the workplace controls which are reported by workers to be provided to reduce these exposures. This survey will provide benchmark data on hazard exposures and controls which can be used to inform decisions on national occupational disease prevention activities and over time measure OHS performance.
Stevedoring
The ASCC noted the outcomes of the first Stevedoring Technical Group meeting which took place in Canberra on 18 June 2008 and work being undertaken by the Maritime Union of Australia. The ASCC will convene a stakeholder discussion to review progress.
The next meeting of the technical group will be held in late August. The group will consider the information being prepared by the Maritime Union of Australia to assist in taking these important matters forward as soon as possible.
UV guidance note
The ASCC is reviewing the Guidance Note for the Protection of Workers from the Ultraviolet Radiation in Sunlight, previously issued by the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission. In reviewing the Guidance Note the ASCC will consult with the Cancer Council Australia and with other stakeholders.
Development of nationally consistent explosives regulation
The Council noted the progress made by Australian Forum of Explosive Regulators (AFER) in moving towards nationally consistent explosives regulation and specifically the revision of the Australian Code for the Transport of Explosives by Road and Rail which was last published in 2000. AFER is currently finalising the code following consideration of submissions received during the public comment period earlier in the year.
National OHS Reforms Update
The ASCC noted progress on the national review into model OHS laws. The National Review Panel is reviewing the 234 submissions received and will hold further targeted consultations before making its recommendations to the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council on the optimal structure and content of a model OHS Act that can be adopted in all jurisdictions.
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