About WorkHealth
How does WorkHealth fit in with workplace health and safety?
Over the past five years, WorkSafe Victoria's efforts in partnership with employers and workers have resulted in a reduction in workplace injuries, improvements in return to work satisfaction for injured workers and increased benefits for workers. These efforts need to continue, and the challenge over the next five years is to drive even greater improvements in workplaces.
Complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act 2004) is compulsory and it is the responsibility of employers to provide a safe and healthy workplace for workers and contractors.
Victoria's Accident Compensation Act 1985 and OHS Act 2004 have provisions that support the promotion of health, safety and welfare of people at work. This includes the development of education and support programs, and providing incentives to meet the special needs of target groups.
WorkHealth does not replace an employer's responsibility to comply with their OH&S obligations. It is a voluntary initiative focused on improving the overall health and wellbeing of workers, with the aim of reducing injuries and improving OH&S outcomes.
What impact will WorkHealth have on WorkSafe's current activities?
None. There will be no changes to any of WorkSafe's current regulatory occupational health and safety injury insurance or compensation activities as a result of the WorkHealth initiative.
Victoria is already the safest place to work in Australia and WorkSafe will continue to work with employers and workers to further improve our health and safety performance in workplaces. WorkHealth is an additional initiative and employers still need to meet their responsibilities in providing a safe working environment.
Will this mean a change for the role of WorkSafe inspectors?
Controlling workplace hazards and risks remains the most effective way to reduce workplace injury and disease. Employers will still need to meet their responsibilities in providing a safe working environment.
WorkSafe inspectors will continue to take their normal approach to securing compliance and enforcing the law when it comes to work-related hazards.
The WorkHealth initiative will involve separate teams of people visiting workplaces. Their focus will be on health and wellbeing and they will help companies to identify opportunities to promote worker health.
What about the impact on employer premiums?
Over time, WorkHealth aims to reduce workplace injuries and disease and put downward pressure on premiums through a variety of initiatives and interventions.
What about the impact on benefits for injured workers?
The introduction of WorkHealth will not have any impact on the process for managing claims or the level of benefits for injured workers. Victorian workers already have access to some of the most generous benefits when they are injured at work. These are funded out of the premiums paid by employers and will not be affected by WorkHealth.
Will workers with chronic diseases, like Type 2 diabetes, now be able to claim compensation under WorkCover?
No. Workers can only make a claim for developing an illness if it is work related and they eligible under the Accident Compensation Act 1985. These claims must be supported by appropriate medical evidence.
Will employers be liable for workers compensation claims if workers are injured whilst participating in work sponsored fitness activities?
Workers can only make a claim for injury if it is work related and they are eligible under the Accident Compensation Act 1985. There are some instances where injuries arising from work sponsored fitness activities are compensable, but this will be dependant on the particular circumstance.
What about privacy of information for employers and workers?
Participation in WorkHealth programs by employers and their workforce is voluntary. Any programs that are part of the WorkHealth initiative will demonstrate that privacy is protected and individual workers who participate in WorkHealth programs are not discriminated against or treated in a prejudicial way. It is unlawful for employers to discriminate against workers on health grounds and this will be strongly reinforced throughout the program. All health data will remain strictly confidential between the worker and health professionals.
Victoria already has strong laws protecting the privacy of individuals, especially when dealing with medical matters. These laws will apply to the independent health professionals participating in the program, and there are heavy sanctions for breaches of privacy.
WorkHealth aims to achieve a greater focus on health within the workplace, for the benefit of workers, employers and the wider community.
Many Victorian employers are already implementing health and wellbeing programs, demonstrating that the longer term benefits of doing so far outweigh any short term risks
