Central Safety Group Amsterdam

Tracey Browne

Date & Time: Tuesday 12 April 2022 at 12:00pm 

PLEASE NOTE: ONLINE ZOOM Event:

Speaker: Tracey Browne, Manager - National Safety & Workers' Compensation Policy and Membership Services, Ai Group

Topic: New psychological hazard regulations

Victoria has developed draft regulations for psychological health, and work is happening at the national level to develop Model WHS Regulations on this topic. What responsibilities will employers have under this new legislation? How might it affect the workplace? Will it have an impact on workers compensation?
These and other issues will be discussed in a zoom presentation at midday on 12 April by Tracey Browne, Manager, National Safety & Workers' Compensation Policy and Membership Services at Australian Industry Group (Ai Group).
Tracey is currently representing peak national employer organisation Ai Group on a working group reviewing WorkSafe Victoria’s proposed OHS Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations, which were released for public comment closing on 31 March 2022. Tracey also represents industry as a member of Safe Work Australia, who are developing the Model Regulations and supporting Code of Practice.
The new WorkSafe regulations reflect the existing requirement in the Act to manage both physical and psychological health and safety. WorkSafe considers that they will provide clearer guidance to employers on their obligations to protect workers better from mental injury.
After her presentation Tracey will invite questions and discussion.

About the speaker:
Tracey Browne joined the national employers’ representative Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) in 2001. She has been their Manager of National Safety & Workers' Compensation Policy and Membership Services for the past 14 years.
Tracey’s role includes representing employer views and interests to governments, regulators and other relevant bodies, when legislative and policy changes are being considered. She is also responsible for information, advice and training in relation to safety and workers' compensation for Ai Group membership and staff.
Before joining AiG, Tracey worked in OHS and workers compensation roles in industry and lectured on safety and workers compensation at Ballarat University.

Note: RSVP by close of business Monday 11 April 2022.  When booking, please ensure you select the April Event from the dropdown list (shaded orange), to RSVP.

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Pam Pryor AO

Date & Time: Tuesday 8 March 2022 at 12:00pm 

PLEASE NOTE: ONLINE ZOOM Event:

Speaker: Pam Pryor AO, Manager OHS BoK Development, Australian Institute of Health and Safety

Topic: The Changing Role of the OHS Professional

OHS is now suffering from 'disciplinary ambiguity' according to a recent international study. You will hear why from Pam Pryor, Manager OHS Body of Knowledge Development for the Australian Institute of Health and Safety, in a CSG lunchtime Zoom presentation on 8 March.

Changes affecting the OHS profession include the COVID-19 pandemic opening new ground on workplace safety; the growing discussions around psychological health and safety, and the fact that many OHS professionals now include ‘wellness’ as part of their role.

These all highlight the lack of clarity around the role of the generalist OHS Professional, according to Pam.

Pam is co-author of a recent paper [The OHS Professional: International and Australian Perspectives] published as part of the Body of Knowledge. She will offer insights and perspectives on the current status of the generalist OHS professional in Australia, why it is now seen to be in some respects an ‘emerging profession’, and where it is headed.

If you are employed in OHS or a related field, this session should not be missed.

About the speaker:
Pam Pryor is an internationally recognised specialist in OHS capability and related aspects of OHS professionality.

She is currently responsible for the development and ongoing maintenance of the Australian OHS Body of Knowledge (BoK). Bok is the collective works developed by a range of specialists that informs OHS education, certification and further development of OHS professionals. (See www.ohsbok.org.au)

Her work with the International Network of Safety and Health Professionals developing the OHS Professional Capability Framework earned Pam the 2017-18 President’s Award from the American Society of Safety Professionals.

In 2018 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for her contribution to OHS Professionals, through her leadership and advisory roles, particularly in developing standards for education frameworks.

Note: RSVP by close of business Monday 7 March 2022.  When booking, please ensure you select the March Event from the dropdown list (shaded orange), to RSVP.

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The changing role of the OHS professional

It was another big turnout for our March event and it was great to see so many people staying on after the recording had finished to continue the discussion. As OHS professionals, attendees had much to think about during and following Pam's presentation.

Pam made it an interactive session by conducting a number of short polls throughout. The polls prompted us to contemplate our roles as well as the emergence of the concept of "wellness" and how that fits into OHS. The polls do not show up on the recording, but Pam does discuss the results and we have included a summary of the results in the presentation package.

While Pam began by analysing some of the challenges for OHS professionals, she also looked at the positives of how we can take control of our roles and "craft" them to improve both our own work and our organisations themselves. Pam also alerted us to a range of resources, including research, publications and the OHS Body of Knoweldge (BoK), which is a wonderful free resource under the auspices of the AIHS. See www.ohsbok.org.au

Pam also touched on some other topics that are currently being developed by AIHS in position papers and for future BoK chapters. The talk of a Code of Ethics certanly piqued attendees' interest and CSG will be looking to address this topic at an event later this year. As always, Central Safety Group is here to serve its members, so we always welcome your suggestions for future speakers and events.

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New perspectives on OHS

The February event was a great start to our 60th anniversary year with Life Member Kevin Jones presenting to the group. Kevin always has interesting perspectives on current OHS issues to stimulate our thinking. Some provocative ideas to start the year inspire and revive us after the last two years of dealing with the pandemic.

I was particulalry taken with Kevin's assertion that OHS practitioners can become very insular and narrow-focussed whilst fulfilling the needs of a particular employer; that there is little OHS activism as well as a failure to see OHS within a broader social context. It was also challenging to ponder the limitations of the catch cry of taking "reasonable care".

Kevin demonstrated the way in which lateral thinking can enhance one's perspective on OHS by discussing some recent publications, some of which are not straight OHS books. He shared with us his methodology for finding books that are relevant to OHS practice even when there is no mention of safety in the title. His curious mind is a real boon for us, as he is able to discover interesting publications that we might otherwise be unaware of.

Kevin also discussed publications that are on OHS topics, including an article providing a new definition of a "safe system of work" that sounds fascinating. Details of the books he discussed can be found in his presentation notes as well as in the Further Reading section of the website (log in first). Kevin also pointed out that a very valuable resource is the WorkSafe library in Geelong.

There are plenty of other past presentations by Kevin on our website, including his discussion of some other publications in a short video as part of our free CSG Talks series in 2020, A look at some new thinking.

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Kevin Jones

Date & Time: Tuesday 8 February 2022 at 12:00pm 

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Speaker: Kevin Jones Freelance writer, SafetyAtWorkBlog

Topic: New Perspectives on OHS

Note: RSVP by close of business Monday 7 February 2022.  When booking, please ensure you select the February Event from the dropdown list (shaded orange), to RSVP.

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Return to work in COVID times: managing psychosocial risk

We had an amazing turnout for our last presentation of the year, which was not surprising considering the topic and the calibre of speaker. Natasha Lazareski's presentation covered some interesting ground that included the inherent contradictions one must face as we all venture back to work post the latest phase of the pandemic.

One such contradiction is within our reactions to situations, where our instinct can be in conflict with a more rational response. Natasha advised organsiations to normalise the fact that we all have different responses to COVID, but still to establish clear guidelines for the workplace that all must follow. Another aspect of this balancing act is to ensure that you don't give out mixed messages, because this can erode trust. We only have to think of how that played out in the community when authorities communicated ever-changing rules and information.

With communication being such a key to successful return to work, Natasha said she believes that workplace Health & Safety Representatves will become the new frontline heroes. That was a great way to emphasise the importance of those roles!

Natasha's presentation went at a cracking pace with a lot of information in her slides, some of which were skipped over due to time constraints. Therefore, do check out the powerpoint slides as well as the video itself.

If you'd like to hear more from Natasha, you can also take a look at her short video as part of our free CSG Talks series last year, Workplace safety in pandemic times.

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CSG networking get-together

Date & Time: Tuesday 14 December 2021 at 12:00pm 

PLEASE NOTE: ONLINE ZOOM Event:

A FREE zoom event
for both members and friends of CSG
Host: Nan Austin, President, Central Safety Group.

Topic: CSG networking get-together

December is the time of year for us to celebrate our CSG network, share ideas and get to know each other a little better.
While circumstances prevent us from gathering in person for a second year, please join us via zoom for an informal networking function. Let’s share our experiences and valuable lessons from 2021, as well as exploring next year's events... Read more...

Note: RSVP not required for this event.

Upcoming conference: Pandemic Trauma- Person, Place & Environment

CSG Member Jacqui Bloink has alerted us to the Crisis Intervention Management Australasia (CIMA) Biennial Conference titled “Pandemic Trauma- Person Place Environment”.  It will be an interactive 3.5 hr Live Streamed event on Wednesday 10th November, 2021 at noon (AEST).

Jacqui runs the St Vincent's Hospital Amsterdam (SVHM) STAR Peer Support Program, of which CIMA is the professional affiliate.  CIMA is a not-for-profit organisation that provides education, training and support for workers in emergency services, health care and related agencies in managing the impact of psychological stress and trauma in their work.  

The conference will offer insight into models of practice by leaders in the field, who have implemented change using critical response frameworks during the pandemic. Speakers include Patty Stewart McCord from Canada and Angela Lewis from the UK, both of whom will have specific lessons for health care workers as we plunge into the Wave 3 surge.

Dr Antony Tobin will be representing SVHM on the panel and his expertise as an Intensive Care Specialist & Epidemiologist and current experience as their Chief Medical Officer is a great drawcard.

For more information and to register, here is the link: https://www.cima.org.au/conferences/pandemic-trauma-2021-short-virtual-conference

As the flyer for the event says, the words Pandemic and Trauma were probably not seen together before 2020. It should be a fascinating session.

Jacqui actually gave a great presentation to us in August 2017 outlining SVHM’s award-winning Peer Support Program, so I urge you to check it out here (log in first).

Return to work in Covid times: managing psychosocial risk

Date & Time: Tuesday 9 November 2021 at 12:00pm 

PLEASE NOTE: ONLINE ZOOM Event:

Speaker: Dr Natasha Lazareski, Managing Director, PsyFlex.

Topic: Return to work in Covid times: managing psychosocial risk

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a drastic impact on workplace conditions and work arrangements. This has brought new psychosocial risks that can affect the health and wellbeing of workers. Occupational health expert Dr Natasha Lazareski will discuss this issue, along with strategies to manage it, in a Zoom presentation to Central Safety Group Inc. on Tuesday 9 November at noon.
She says that, if not appropriately assessed and managed, psychosocial risks increase stress levels and can lead to physical and mental health problems. Psychological responses may include low mood, low motivation, exhaustion, anxiety, depression and burnout. Read more...

Note: RSVP by close of business Monday 8 November 2021.  When booking, please ensure you select the November Event from the dropdown list (shaded orange), to RSVP.

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The current OHS job scene

There was a lot of interest in this very timely and fascinating presentation. As Helen said, the current job scene in OHS is HOT and, as it is likely to stabilise next year, now is the time to pursue new opportunities if that has been on your mind. It's a candidate's market!

It was heartening to hear that the pandemic has had one positive effect in that the reputation of OHS has been boosted, making it a great career choice.

Helen shared some interesting national statistics on recruiting that showed the most sought-after job categories. She also offered valuable advice to both potential candidates and organisations looking to fill roles.

Helen conducts a regular podcast series where she talks to CEOs about OHS, which you can learn more about at https://www.hoktalentsolutions.com.au/podcast-webinars/

If you are interested in OHS job opportunities a bit further afield, check out Nan Austin's presentation from July 2020 about her experiences in New Zealand: Safety shake-up across the Tasman, which you can access here (log in first)

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