DOJ Work-Related Stress Prevention Project
WorkSafe are conducting a DOJ work-related stress prevention project across prisons with the sites being identified from WorkCover stress related claims over the past 5 years. The prisons that have been targeted for the intervention project are Ararat, Langi Kal Kal, MAP, MRC, Barwon, Marngoneet, DPFC and Duhurringile.

The purpose of the project is to verify systems are in place at the workplace to address two key areas of work-related stress risks, bullying/harassment and work pressure.

The project will focus on what is in place locally at each workplace.

The visits are due to commence in late May until the end of June.

Whilst Occupational Violence (OV) is not specifically been looked at within this project if significant OV issues are found by the WorkSafe inspectorate enquires they will be considered for appropriate action.

CPSU currently has a forum with DOJ and WorkSafe where we are considering OV preventative strategies based on information from our OV survey and departmental and WorkSafe data.

As part of the WorkSafe site visit procedure management are required to advise and invite the employee Health and Safety Representatives (HSR s) to the first and other meetings.

Prison staff who have stress related concerns should raise these concerns thru their HSR s who should be able to broadly relate these concerns against the WorkSafe inspector s checklist.

The checklist has Questions and Guidance to verify what systems are in place and their effectiveness;

As part of the WorkSafe Inspectors examination of workplace information and data they will be examining the sites incident reports.

Prison Staff are encouraged to report all incidents so this can highlight OHS concerns within the workplace and require management to take appropriate actions.

Our NSW PSA has successfully prosecuted the NSW department of corrective services as a result of a serious prisoner assault on a Prison Officer which sadly resulted in his death.

This highlights the significant dangers that Prison Officers may experience and the importance of seeking and demanding the highest level of OHS protection in relation to potential Occupational Violence hazards within the prison system.

Our PSA v NSW Dept of Corrections

CPSU will be closely monitoring the WorkSafe DOJ work ‚Äö?Ñ?¨ related stress prevention project.

If you require any further information or advice or if HSR s are not properly involved or problems arise please contact CPSU OHS Officer Carl Marsich on e-mail cmarsich@cpsuvic.org or telephone 94136645.

You may also contact your CPSU union executive officers; Mark Nestor, Gary Greaves and John Milne.

Please distribute this bulletin and ask your colleagues to join CPSU to have their voice heard and their views represented.

Our 7 day a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year industrial protection ensures you have the principal public sector organisation looking after your working rights, winning wage increases, protecting your conditions, and providing personal industrial assistance when you need it.


CPSU MEMBERSHIP IS PROTECTION FOR YOUR MOST IMPORTANT ASSET. YOUR JOB.

Speak to a colleague today about the benefits of CPSU membership and have them contribute to our successes rather than just enjoying the benefits.


CPSU - 125 in 2010.

When 1,000 colonial public servants crammed into the Athenaeum Hall in Collins Street on 17 June 1885 to form the Victorian Public Service Association they had no idea that we d be still here and turning 125 this year.


TOGETHER WE DO BETTER!

http://www.cpsuvic.org/public_docs/Work-Can-Change-membership-flyer.pdf
http://www.cpsuvic.org/public_docs/memform.pdf


KAREN BATT
CPSU Victorian Branch Secretary

Monday 17 May 2010