Work Health and Safety Advisory Council - Communique September 2022
Welcome to new Council members
The Chair welcomed the Council and noted the apologies. As this was a new Council, the members introduced themselves and the industry they represent.
Meeting Minutes and Communique from May 2022
The council accepted the previous meeting minutes and communique from May 2022.
Council procedures
The Councils Secretary provided the Council with a contact list containing their phone numbers and e-mail address. The contact list will be published on the NT WorkSafe website so that employers, workers and industry groups can bring work health and safety issues to the attention of the Council. Council members were instructed to review their details and to advise the Secretary if any updates need to be made.
Work Health and Safety Advisory Council Annual Report (the annual report)
As per Schedule 2, section 11 of the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 (the Act), the Council must by 31 October following the end of that year, prepare a report about their activities that year and the operation of the Act during that year. The Council were provided with a draft report for the 2021-2022 financial year. Council members were advised to review the report, particularly their biographies and planned activities, and let the Secretary know if any changes needed to be made.
Once the report is finalised it will be progressed to the Minsters office via Ministerial correspondence.
Planned activities
As per the draft annual report for 2021-2022, Council members discussed possible planned activities to undertake for 2022-2023. Council members were advised that if they wish to add any further planned activities, they are to submit their suggestions to the Secretary within one week in order to be included in the annual report.
Update on NT WorkSafe prosecutions
The Work Health Authority (WHA) gave the Council an update on all current prosecutions at NT WorkSafe.
Mr Giuliani queried on if someone from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) could attend a council meeting and give a presentation on their prosecution processes. He was advised by the WHA that due to staffing resources, it is not possible at this stage. Instead, the WHA is able to provide the Council members at the next meeting information the process of how a prosecution is brought to the DPP.
Other business
Mr Pumpa had two issues that raised with the Council, the issues related to:
His concerns on the feedback collated from Senior Health and Safety representatives (HRS) when NT WorkSafe inspectors conduct workplace visits. He raised the issue that senior HSRs were not being communicated with effectively when workplace visits were being conducted; and
Mr Pumpa queried the number of un-announced workplace visits being conducted by inspectors and sought ideas from Council members on how they are able to promote the Standard of Workplace Health and Safety, especially with small businesses.
Mr Giuliani raised a query on an update on a previous safety alert released by NT WorkSafe relating to “Management of loose bulk loads” could be republished on the NTWS website. This followed concerns raised after cotton spills from trucks in Katherine.
The Council noted the issues above and agreed that “other business” would be included in the next meeting’s agenda list.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be scheduled at 10am on 28 November 2022.