History
After being renamed in 2014 as Victorian Work-cover Authority by Minister Gordon Rich-Phillips, it returned to the WorkSafe trading name after the election of the Labor Government in November 2014. It has had a number of previous names including ''VWA'', ''WorkCare'' and the ''Department of Labour''. The name ''WorkSafe'' became the trading name for the workplace health and safety and workers compensation divisions in mid-2008, as it reflected the objective of encouraging people to work safely and reduce workplace injuries. The organisation reports to a Minister and hasCompany Practices
Corporate objectives
WorkSafe's corporate aims are to take a constructive, accountable, transparent, effective, and caring approach to all its operations. Although being active in carrying out workplace safety inspections across the state and prosecuting breaches of workplace health, safety, and workers' compensation laws, a significant focus of WorkSafe's activity includes communication with internal and external stakeholders, media (including publishing details of significant incidents and prosecutions) and the wider community. WorkSafe runs advertising and social media campaigns, an annual small/medium business roadshow (May–June), and events such as Work Safe Week (the last week of October each year), farming sector field days, and conferences where speakers from WorkSafe present information on general and specialist topics.Workplace health and safety
WorkSafe employs safety inspectors based at 12 offices in Melbourne (City, Dandenong, Essendon Fields, Mulgrave) and regional Victoria (Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Shepparton, Traralgon, Wangaratta, and Warrnambool) and conducts targeted visits based on identified high-risk industries and in response to calls where dangers are identified. There is also a 24/7 emergency response assistance.Workers compensation and return to work
WorkSafe oversees Victoria's workers' compensation system which provides financial as well as health and related support to people who have been hurt in the course of their work. The system is funded by Victorian employers who pay a percentage of their total remuneration which provides insurance cover. In 2011 with increases to the average premium rates in other jurisdictions, the Victoria premium became Australia's lowest at 1.338%. With the Victorian state budget in May 2012, this position was further reinforced for 2012-13 (June to June) with a further reduction to 1.229%. The amount paid by individual employers varies depending on their personal claims performance and that of their industry - i.e. a 'good' performing employer in an industry with many claims may pay rather less than others, while conversely, a poorly performing employer will pay more. Around 29,000 people a year make a workers' compensation claim (10.58/1000 employees in Victoria in 2010/11). WorkSafe promotes to employers, injured workers and the people who treat them, the idea of an early and sustainable return to work. This helps keep business and premium costs down and benefits injured workers. Where it is not possible for a worker to return to their old workplace, WorkSafe's support program, WISE, which encourages other employers to step in and take advantage of their skills.Legislation and regulation
WorkSafe is regulator of a wide range of Acts of Parliament including the Accident Compensation Act 1985; Accident Compensation (Occupational Health and Safety) Act 1996; Accident Compensation (WorkCover Insurance) Act 1993; Workers Compensation Act 1958; Occupational Health and Safety Act 1985; Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004; Dangerous Goods Act 1985; Equipment (Public Safety) Act 1994; Road Transport (Dangerous Goods) Act 1995; Road Transport Reform (Dangerous Goods) Act 1995 (Commonwealth) Mines Act 1958. Regulations set out mandatory requirements under the Acts and are linked to copies held at Victorian Law Today. Accident Compensation Regulations 2001; Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2000; Dangerous Goods (HCDG) Regulations 2005; Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2000; Dangerous Goods (Transport by Rail) Regulations 1998; Equipment (Public Safety) Regulations 2007; Magistrates' Court (Occupational Health and Safety) Rules 2005; Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007; Road Transport (Dangerous Goods) (Licence Fees) Regulations 1998; Road Transport Reform (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1997.Director Board
Mr Krasnostein anOccupational Health and Safety Act
The Occupational Health and Safety Act was enacted in 1985 as a major reform of the Labor government ofReferences
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