Safety and health management systems and resources for the public sector

The Code of Practice for Occupational Safety and Health in the Western Australian Public Sector provides practical guidance to Western Australian public sector agencies on ways to comply with the obligations imposed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 and the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022. It also provides information on how to develop an effective work health and safety management system.

An effective workplace health and safety management system should consider:

• management commitment
• planning
• consultation
• risk management
• training.

Information on health and safety management is found on WorkSafe WA's website.

Injury management provisions in the Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 are supported by a Code which provides the framework for injury management systems and return to work programs. Under workers’ compensation legislation, public sector agencies must establish an injury management system in their workplace. WorkCover WA has issued the Western Australian Legislation - Workers' Compensation Code of Practice (Injury Management) 2005, which explains the legal responsibilities.

An injury management system describes the steps to be taken when a workplace injury occurs. It allows agencies to commence injury management quickly and properly, so that injured workers can remain at work or return to work at the earliest appropriate time. Requirements for the establishment, content and implementation of an injury management system are set out in the Code. Where there is a requirement in the Code that an employer “has to” do something that relates to an injury management system, it is mandatory.

Guidance notes support the Code by explaining mandatory provisions and by providing direction for the establishment of injury management systems and return to work programs.

The provisions of the Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 and Code are based on the principle that whenever it is medically appropriate an injured worker will remain in or return to work.

Before starting to develop an injury management system, it is highly recommended that all agencies become familiar with the requirements as stipulated in the Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act 1981 and Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Regulations 1982.

Western Australian public sector agencies requiring assistance in the establishment of their injury management system, return to work programs or injury management of claims can contact their RiskCover Injury Services Coordinator/Officer direct or on 9264 3333.

RiskCover (Insurance Commission of WA) is the Western Australian Government's insurer for public sector agencies. Further information is also available on RiskCover's  website.

Information on injury management is also available on WorkCover WA's website.

The WorkSafe Plan is a Western Australian assessment process that rates health and safety management systems and directs attention to areas that could be improved. It provides a systematic way of measuring how well it is being managed. The WorkSafe Plan is not intended to replace other safety management system audit tools but is complementary to them.