Commissioner's corner

Having recently been appointed to the position of WorkSafe Western Australia Commissioner, I am pleased to present my views for ThinkSafe magazine.

Since commencing as Commissioner, I have been encouraged by the level of passion and commitment that exists within the Department. It provides a sound basis for undertaking the important task of securing the safety and health of persons at work throughout Western Australia.

The role of WorkSafe WA Commissioner is a statutory appointment, independent of the Department and responsible to Minister Bill Johnston MLA. The Commissioner’s functions include appointment of inspectors, resolution of issues, notification of injuries and prescribed work, review of notices and other powers described in the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996. I am committed to establishing and maintaining the independence of the role and ensuring all actions and use of resources are conducted ethically, efficiently and effectively.

The Commissioner is a mandatory member of the tripartite Commission for Occupational Safety and Health. The Commission has an important role in developing information and guidance material to assist all stakeholders to maintain workplace safety and health standards.

My initial priorities have been to undertake due diligence and acquire an understanding and appreciation of the work processes, culture, and the hazards and risks associated with the activities of the Department while also establishing relationships and communicating with our many stakeholders.

The matter of mental health is a priority for me – both the health of the Department’s staff and industry in general. I am keen to facilitate and contribute to a healthy work environment where the mental health of staff is supported and openly discussed. I intend to contribute wherever possible, and seek to develop the tools and resources necessary to tackle mental health.

In terms of general industry, there is a raft of evidence indicating that mental health in the workplace (and the wider community) is a significant issue. One in five Australians will be affected by mental health issues. WA’s suicide rate is higher than the national average, and the World Health Organization has indicated that for each adult who died of suicide there may have been more than 20 others attempting suicide. It is a shocking fact that suicide is the leading cause of death among 25 to 44 year old men in Australia. I am eager to champion reducing the prevalence of suicide in our community.

The health aspect of occupational safety and health is also of interest. I believe there is opportunity and benefit in raising awareness of the hazards and risks associated with work-related matters that impact on health. Serious work-related trauma and deaths quite rightly require the focus of the Department, but I believe the health component of workplace safety and health deserves a higher level of focus. Exposure to asbestos, silica, noise and hazardous substances can cause harm to workers that results in unnecessary disruption, stress and damage to workers and their families. I believe we need to focus on these hazards and continue to pursue best practice for the management of these risks.

Another priority for me is legislative and regulatory change. Having previously worked within a harmonised regime, I am a strong supporter of the proposed workplace health and safety legislation. I believe it is the right time for Western Australian workplaces to align with those in the rest of Australia. While I believe the changes are positive for Western Australia, there is a lot of work ahead to prepare for industry and the Department, and I look forward to those challenges.

A lot of good work is being done to pursue safe and healthy workplaces, but there is always more that can be done. One death is one too many. I look forward to collaboratively working with employers, unions and workers to secure safe and healthy workplaces.

Darren Kavanagh

WorkSafe WA Commissioner