Health and Community Services ISSC communique: July 2024
The Health and Community Services Industry Standing Committee (the Committee) met on 11 July 2024. The Chair, Mr James Gilbert, welcomed Committee members and guests to the second meeting.
The Committee discussed a number of presentations delivered by Office of Industrial Relations (OIR) representatives, about the People at Work® tool for identifying hazards to psychological health and safety at the work, and OIR’s Power BI dashboard (dashboard) developed as an alternative to paper-based reports and offering enhanced functionality with drill-down options and cross-industry data for easy comparison and reference.
The Committee held an in-depth discussion on heat stress in order to provide feedback to the WHS Board on a proposed heat stress Code of Practice. Members noted the importance of clear and specific guidelines/standards and the importance of consulting workers, and recommended development of separate standards/thresholds (and definitions) for preventing heat stress and preventing thermal discomfort. The Committee supported development of a proposed Code of Practice but highlighted the need for interim industry-specific guidance.
The Committee discussed a number of other matters, including the industrial manslaughter provision of the Electrical Safety and Other Legislation Bill 2024 (QLD); the WorkSafe website advice in relation to managing mould (as an example); and new OIR guidance for preventing slips, trips and falls at work.
The Committee agreed to submit to the WHS Board a paper about some potential implications for the health industry of the proposed industrial manslaughter amendments; and recommendations about promotion to support implementation of the slips, trips and falls guide.
The Committee reviewed its draft forward plan and further development to focus on critical issues in the industry along with ad-hoc matters.
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Thursday 10 October 2024.
ISSC secretariat | Email: oirboardsandcommittees@oir.qld.gov.au