Getting help to improve health and safety

Transcription

1 A handbook for employers Getting help to improve health and safety Edition No. 1 October 2008

2 Contents 1. Introduction 1 2. Getting help from WorkSafe Advisory Service Inspectors Publications OHS consulting for small businesses enewsletters 4 3. Getting help from unions 5 4. Getting help from employer, trade and industry associations 6 5. Services and support from WorkSafe Agents 7 6. Build in-house OHS expertise OHS education and training Employee HSR training Other OHS training 9 7. Employing or engaging a suitably qualified person for OHS advice Who is a suitably qualified person? External consultants Engaging an external consultant Issues to consider Letting an OHS consultant know what you want Ensuring the service needed was received Legal issues 16 Appendix A Where to find consultants 17 WorkSafe Victoria is a trading name of the Victorian WorkCover Authority. This publication is protected by copyright. WorkSafe Victoria encourages the free transfer, copying and printing of this publication if such activities support the purposes and intent for which the publication was developed. The information presented in Getting help to improve health and safety is intended for general use only. It should not be viewed as a definitive guide to the law, and should be read in conjunction with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.

3 1. Introduction The aim of this handbook is to assist employers, particularly in small and medium businesses, get help to improve workplace health and safety and meet their duties in relation to Victorian OHS laws. It may also provide useful information for large businesses, health and safety representatives (HSRs), managers, supervisors and employees. WorkSafe expects employers to take a proactive approach to improving health and safety, including looking at ways to better identify and control hazards before they cause an incident, injury, illness or disease. The ways of getting help outlined in this handbook include: contacting WorkSafe, unions, and employer, trade and industry associations developing the necessary OHS expertise and knowledge in-house employing or engaging a person suitably qualified to provide OHS advice. WorkSafe Victoria Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety 1

4 2. Getting help from WorkSafe 2.1 Advisory Service The WorkSafe Advisory Service provides a range of free services. These include: answering general OHS enquiries providing advice to employers about their legal obligations providing advice to employees about their WorkSafe rights, including what to do if they are injured providing advice to employers on WorkSafe policies (eg what they mean and how to set up workplace OHS policies) providing advice on WorkSafe premiums, return to work and rehabilitation providing advice about WorkSafe publications and an ordering service providing advice about licences to perform high risk work and construction induction. 2.2 Inspectors WorkSafe inspectors can assist you with workplace health and safety, and help you comply with OHS laws. They can: provide advice on employer and employee responsibilities and rights supply practical guidance material on hazard identification and risk control promote consultation between employers and employees in health and safety matters. To ensure workplaces comply with the law, inspectors also carry out regular inspections, during which they may issue improvement or prohibition notices and carry out other enforcement and compliance activities. Members of the public or people in a workplace (eg HSR, union representative, employee) can ask an inspector to visit a workplace to enquire into alleged non-compliance with Victoria s OHS laws. When such a request is received, WorkSafe may send an inspector, depending on the circumstances. For further information about inspectors, see WorkSafe publication WorkSafe Victoria inspectors. 2 Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety WorkSafe Victoria

5 2. Getting help from WorkSafe 2.3 Publications WorkSafe has a wide range of free publications designed to help workplaces improve their health and safety and assist employers meet their legal duties and responsibilities in relation to OHS. Some publications target specific industries and occupations while others focus on broader topics relevant to all industries, such as consultation, risk identification, managing health and safety and WorkSafe policies and procedures. The following table shows the publications produced by WorkSafe, all of which are available at worksafe.vic.gov.au. Table 1: WorkSafe publications Injury hotspots Alerts Guidance notes Tools Educational materials Your guides Compliance codes WorkSafe positions Health and safety solutions Forms Further publications, including handbooks Industry-specific information sheets that pinpoint where people get hurt at work and provide practical solutions for making workplaces safe. Short guidance material that describes a work practice or thing that has proven to be dangerous and needs immediate corrective action (eg High visibility shirt catches on fire). Short guidance material that details health and safety information on particular topics (eg Q fever prevention). Checklists, worksheets and other items to assist you complete a task (eg Quad bikes checklist). Supporting documents such as presentations, posters and information sheets on particular topics. Short booklets that provide general introductory information on a given health and safety topic of industry (eg Your health and safety guide to managing young workers). Documents designed to help you comply with the law (eg Removing asbestos in workplaces). Short documents that provide WorkSafe s interpretations of specific terms and requirements under OHS law (eg How WorkSafe applies the law in relation to reasonably practicable). Short safety solutions for a particular topic (eg Aggression in emergency departments). Documents that need to be filled out and returned to WorkSafe or a related organisation (eg Incident notification form, Notification of asbestos removal form). Guidance materials that will assist you understand OHS requirements (eg handbooks such as Working in heat, WorkSafe annual reports and summaries of prosecutions). The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act) and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 (OHS Regulations) are available at legislation.vic.gov.au or by calling Information Victoria Bookshop, WorkSafe Victoria Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety 3

6 2. Getting help from WorkSafe 2.4 OHS consulting service for small businesses Victorian small business operators with up to 50 employees can register for a free three-hour session with an independent health and safety consultant. The consultant will come to your workplace to help identify safety issues relevant to your business and provide useful advice about how to address the issues identified in a step-by-step way. By getting advice from an independent safety consultant, you can also quickly and easily get an understanding of what OHS legislation means for your business. You can register online at worksafe.vic.gov.au/smallbusassist or by calling the WorkSafe Advisory Service. The service is also available from some industry associations. 2.5 enewsletters WorkSafe regularly s OHS newsletters to various industry groups, including: Safety Matters, a newsletter for the manufacturing, logistics, agriculture and retail industries Safety Soapbox, a newsletter for the mining, quarrying, construction and utilities industries Making It Public, a newsletter for the public sector, including education, emergency services (including police), government and public administration, and health and community services. Subscribe to any of the enewsletters at worksafe.vic.gov.au/enews 4 Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety WorkSafe Victoria

7 3. Getting help from unions Unions provide a wide range of OHS support to their members, including advice, representation, information and training. They also encourage and support consultation between employers and employees to improve workplace health and safety. HSRs can seek assistance from any person, including union officials, to help resolve OHS issues. For more information, see WorkSafe publication, Employee representation. Authorised representatives of registered employee organisations, such as unions, have the right to enter workplaces to enquire into suspected breaches of the OHS Act and Regulations. For more information, see WorkSafe publication Guide to right of entry by authorised representatives. The Victorian Trades Hall Council OHS Unit provides support, advice and assistance to affiliated unions and union members. This includes training, information and policies, helping coordinate campaigns on health and safety issues and working with WorkSafe to improve standards, policies and programs. The unit has its own website for OHS representatives funded by WorkSafe. It provides information on legislation and hazards and offers a free subscription to fortnightly electronic newsletter SafetyNet. See ohsrep.org.au. WorkSafe Victoria Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety 5

8 4. Getting help from employer, trade and industry associations Many employer, trade and industry associations provide a wide range of OHS support to their members, including advice, support, information, consulting services, representation and training. They also promote and support effective workplace consultation between employers and employees to improve workplace health and safety. Employer, trade and industry associations work with WorkSafe to improve standards, policies and programs. Some associations also administer the WorkSafe-funded free three-hour OHS consultancy service for small businesses. Contact your employer, trade or industry association to see how they can assist you. 6 Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety WorkSafe Victoria

9 5. Services and support from WorkSafe Agents WorkSafe Agents provide a range of OHS prevention services and support to workplaces, including risk management and return to work advice. Contact your agent for more information. For a list of WorkSafe Agents, see the insurance and premium section at worksafe.vic.gov.au. WorkSafe Victoria Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety 7

10 6. Build in-house OHS expertise Some employers may control the OHS risks at their workplace by getting help from the range of sources outlined in previous pages. You may also choose to build in-house OHS skills, which, in the longer term and depending on the circumstances in the workplace, is a good way to improve health and safety. 6.1 OHS education and training The education and training system offers a range of certificate, diploma and tertiary qualifications that many workplaces have successfully used to build their in-house OHS capacities. The training to obtain these qualifications is offered by a variety of tertiary institutions and Registered Training Organisations, including TAFE colleges, unions, employer associations and private training providers. For more information about providers of this training, see the National Training Information Services website ntis.gov.au. 6.2 Employee HSR training The OHS Act creates a legal entitlement for HSRs and their deputies to receive training in OHS. This entitlement allows HSRs to attend training courses that are approved by WorkSafe and delivered by WorkSafe or by approved training providers. For information about approved HSR training courses and training providers, see worksafe.vic.gov.au or contact the WorkSafe Advisory Service. 8 Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety WorkSafe Victoria

11 6. Build in-house OHS expertise 6.3 Other OHS training Effective OHS training for employees, supervisors and managers is good business. It improves skills, knowledge, productivity, morale and in-house OHS capacities to help identify hazards and risks and identify appropriate control measures to reduce workplace incidents. The OHS Act and Regulations require employers to provide such training to employees as is necessary to enable the employees to perform their work in a manner that is safe and without risks to health. Any such training can also be undertaken by supervisors and managers. This can include training on: the nature of hazards the processes used for hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control the need for and proper use of measures to control risk safety procedures the use, fit, testing and storage of personal protective equipment first aid licences for high risk work (eg scaffolding, rigging, dogging, cranes, hoists, fork lifts, boilers and pressure vessels), asbestos removal, working with carcinogens, major hazard facilities specific risks, hazards and industries (eg asbestos, lead, manual handling, major hazards, hazardous, construction, mining, confined spaces, explosives, traffic management). Specific training for supervisors and managers is also available. WorkSafe provides guidance on competencies for persons representing employers in relation to the resolution of OHS issues. For more information, see WorkSafe publication Employer representative competencies. Depending on the size of the organisation and the availability of in-house resources, training can be undertaken in-house or can be provided by tertiary institutions and TAFE Colleges, unions, employer associations and private training providers. For more information, visit the training service provider directory at worksafe.vic.gov.au or contact the WorkSafe Advisory Service. WorkSafe Victoria Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety 9

12 7. Employing or engaging a suitably qualified person for OHS advice At times, there may be no-one at your workplace who has the right skills or knowledge to identify and control hazards in the workplace. This is when you should employ or engage a person who is suitably qualified in relation to OHS to provide advice to the employer concerning the health and safety of employees. Examples of when an employer might consider employing or engaging a suitably qualified person to advise on OHS: during periodic OHS reviews of the operations of the business when developing and implementing systems for the long-term management of OHS when establishing OHS consultative and issue resolution structures for the workplace when planning to modify the work premises, plant, substances or materials for use at work before changes to work practices and systems of work are introduced when establishing new operations or projects prior to major shut down, decommissioning, demolition of premises or plant when new OHS information becomes available from an authoritative source when a hazardous exposure or incident, injury, illness or adverse result of environmental or health monitoring indicates that risk control measures are inadequate when managing complex issues related to psychological health, such as bullying and stress. If you decide that further advice is needed to deal with health and safety risks at the workplace, the next step is to decide whether to directly employ a person or engage them under a contract for services or other arrangement. 10 Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety WorkSafe Victoria

13 7. Employing or engaging a suitably qualified person for OHS advice For example, if issues affecting the health and safety of employees are ongoing and complex, you might decide you require daily advice and will employ an OHS coordinator whose role is to advise you on OHS matters in your workplace. Alternatively, some small business employers may opt to bring in an external consultant as a one off or needs basis only. The choice will depend on the nature and extent of the hazards and risks in the workplace. If you employ a person, you may still need to bring in other consultants at various times. No single OHS professional will have the answers to all problems. Any person employed in-house or engaged as an external consultant to provide OHS advice must be suitably qualified. 7.1 Who is a suitably qualified person? A suitably qualified person is someone who has the knowledge, skills and experience to be able to provide advice on the issues impacting the health and safety of employees. The advice must reflect the current state of knowledge on OHS issues so employers can rely on this advice when controlling risks in their workplace. A suitably qualified person must be able to advise you about: the process of identifying hazards implementing controls to eliminate or reduce the assessed risks monitoring and reviewing controls. The type of person required will depend on your type of workplace and its hazards. The table on page 12 lists matters that should be considered when assessing whether a person has the skills, knowledge and experience to be suitably qualified. Whether you are employing a person or engaging a consultant, all matters should be taken into account, where relevant. WorkSafe Victoria Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety 11

14 7. Employing or engaging a suitably qualified person for OHS advice Table 2: Assessing a suitably qualified person Knowledge Industry experience Professional activity Reputation Professional association Communication skills Technical expertise OHS legislative understanding Risk management strategies Necessary resources Recognition of limitations Can the person demonstrate they have relevant knowledge in OHS or a related field through the completion of education? If no formal qualifications, can the person through alternate means establish they understand the current state of knowledge on the issue and OHS principles and legislation? Has the person worked in the employer s industry, with employers of like size and structure, dealt with similar plant or equipment, addressed issues and evaluated the impact of possible interventions? Can the person demonstrate recent professional activity in the field of OHS in which they intend to provide advice? How long has the person been professionally active? Is the person reputable and able to provide referees who can attest to the quality and utility of their work? Is the person a member of a professional association that requires the attainment and continuing development of certain knowledge, skills and experience for membership? See Appendix A for a list of professionals who provide OHS advice and details of their professional bodies or associations. Is the person able to explain what needs to be done to control any hazards or risks and write reports that are easy to understand? Does the person have adequate communications skills to work and consult with HSRs, managers and employees? If the person is monitoring conditions in the workplace, is their equipment suitable, appropriate and accurate? Does the person have the skills to use the equipment and analyse the results? Is the person familiar with OHS legislation? Is the person s approach consistent with the principle of ensuring the highest level of protection so far as is reasonably practicable? For example, it should focus on elimination of the risks rather than lower order controls, such as using personal protective equipment or monitoring. Is the person able to provide the necessary resources, such as equipment and personnel, to provide the service? Is the person able to recognise limits of their competence and identify for the employer when further expertise is necessary? For more information about how to meet your obligations as an employer, see the WorkSafe Position How WorkSafe applies the law in relation to employing or engaging suitable qualified persons to provide health and safety advice. 12 Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety WorkSafe Victoria

15 8. External consultants 8.1 Engaging an external consultant If you decide to engage an external consultant, the following table shows the broad range of services external consultants can provide advice about. Table 3: List of services Identifying and controlling specific hazards plant hazardous substances dangerous goods confined spaces working at heights noise, radiation and heat asbestos manual handling occupational stress, bullying and workplace violence Industry-focused building and construction utilities manufacturing mining major hazard facilities transport and distribution agriculture health Other specific services training management and management systems licensing legal compliance auditing setting up structures and processes to ensure effective employee consultation design (including plant and equipment, processes, jobs, tasks, workstations and workplaces) hazard identification and risk control risk and hazard management accident and incident investigation health surveillance, health assessment and medical diagnosis, treatment and management WorkSafe Victoria Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety 13

16 8. External consultants When choosing a consultant, it is recommended you give HSRs and health and safety committees the opportunity to discuss their concerns. This will encourage further co-operation and support and may help determine the type of help required. If there are no HSRs, the employees involved in the issue or problem should be consulted. In some cases, more than one type of consultant may be needed, particularly in complex or high risk situations. There will usually be many consultants able to provide the service needed. Make enquiries with several to find the right consultant to suit your needs and workplace. See Appendix A for a list and contact information of OHS professionals. 8.2 Issues to consider As well as considering the matters listed in Table 2 (page 12), when engaging a consultant, you should address the following issues: Conflict of interest: consultants should be asked to declare any matter that may result in conflict of interest. Confidentiality: goods produced may involve ingredients or processes that are trade secrets. Specifying the nature and extent of confidentiality in contracts will help protect your activities. Insurance: it is important to check the level and types of insurance held by the consultant and the organisation the consultant represents. This typically involves public liability and professional indemnity insurance and may also include workers compensation and other insurances. Ethics: as an employer, you want your consultant to work with integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. Many professional bodies and associations have a code of ethics, code of practice or professional standards their members are expected to adhere to in their work. A copy may be obtained from the consultant or the professional body association. If the consultant is not affiliated to a professional body or association, any important ethical issues should be explained. Ownership of material: when drawing up an agreement with a consultant, address the question of ownership of material. Many employers regard written material produced under contract as the company s property if you do, it is important the consultant understands this. Dispute resolution: ask the consultant if they have a process for resolving conflicts. Professional bodies or associations usually have a system for dealing with complaints and resolving disputes involving its members. The Health and Safety Professionals Alliance (an alliance of OHS professionals and educational bodies) has developed a code of ethics and Minimum Service Standards for Professional Members of OHS Associations that may be of use when considering ethical and service issues. The code and standards are available from worksafe.vic.gov.au. 14 Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety WorkSafe Victoria

17 8. External consultants 8.3 Letting an OHS consultant know what you want To get the best results from engaging a consultant, consider the points in the following table. No matter what approach is adopted, it is important to have a written agreement in place before the consultant starts work. Table 4: Engaging a consultant Clearly define and document the problem to be worked on Make sure the consultant knows what is expected from them Give the consultant access to all the necessary information about the problem Involve HSRs and employees Establish a reporting and meeting schedule Monitor the progress of the consultant describe the problems and issues that need to be addressed, preferably in written brief, and provide a clear statement about what you hope to achieve at the workplace. The consultant can then provide a written proposal to the brief for consideration and approval outline what resources are available at the workplace and what the consultant will need to provide clearly explain budget outline what tasks the consultant will be doing agree how it will be decided if the tasks have been done properly work out specific objectives to be achieved (eg reduced noise levels, meeting a specified regulatory requirement, changes in behaviour, such as reporting of incidents) establish deadlines when reports, submissions and other tasks need to be completed provide the consultant with details of any discussions with HSRs, health and safety committees, supervisors and employees about the nature and extent of the problem let consultant know of the employees who are affected by the problem (include where they work and what they do) provide details of any incidents, injuries, illnesses and claims refer consultant to relevant publications and other information available about the problem (WorkSafe publications and website) inform HSRs and employees when the consultant is starting and explain what they will be doing explain to consultant how HSRs and employees are to be involved in resolving issues specify on what basis and how often progress reports should be given and emerging issues discussed routinely check the timetable established when work began check the consultant s work is consistent with the requirements of the contract WorkSafe Victoria Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety 15

18 8. External consultants 8.4 Ensuring the service needed was received A well-prepared written proposal, along with regular review and monitoring while the consultant is doing their work, will help ensure the service needed was received. Once the consultant has finished work, the employer should consider the following questions: Has a practical, sensible solution to the problem been provided? Has the consultant provided something over the top (eg lots of useless paperwork)? If so, the consultant should be asked for an explanation and asked to advise if there is a better, simplified alternative. Has good follow-up support been provided by the consultant? For example, has the consultant made sure any recommendations have been properly understood? Has the consultant adequately answered any questions about implementing recommendations? 8.5 Legal issues Engaging or employing a person for help and advice does not guarantee legal duties and responsibilities under the OHS Act and Regulations will be met. Legal duties and responsibilities cannot be transferred or delegated to a consultant. If an employer is found to be in breach of their duties, it is not a defence to have relied on the advice or recommendations of a consultant. For these reasons, it is important for employers who employ or engage a person for advice to stay actively involved in OHS issues, including monitoring and reviewing risk controls. 16 Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety WorkSafe Victoria

19 Appendix A Where to find consultants General OHS professionals General OHS professionals have qualifications and training in general OHS. Many also have further training, education and expertise in particular areas of OHS. It is important to ensure a consultant is competent in the particular OHS service area before engaging them. The professional body that many general OHS professionals belong to is the Safety Institute of Australia. sia.org.au garyls@sia.org.au Occupational hygienists Occupational hygiene is the scientific and technical approach to the identification, assessment and control of chemical, physical and biological factors that adversely affect the health of people at work. Occupational hygienists have knowledge of OHS law and understand the principles of hazard control, including process modification, ventilation and personal protective equipment and associated administrative measures. Some of the environmental factors associated with work and work operations that may adversely affect health include hazardous substances such as dusts, gases and fumes; thermal stress; biological hazards; and musculoskeletal stressors. Occupational hygienists can recognise these factors and work out methods to eliminate, reduce or control such factors when necessary to alleviate their adverse effects. The Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) is the professional body for occupational hygienists. To contact a consultant occupational hygienist, use the consultant search service on the AIOH website. aioh.org.au secretary@aioh.org.au WorkSafe Victoria Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety 17

20 Appendix A Where to find consultants Ergonomists Ergonomists use scientific and technical knowledge about human capabilities, functions and requirements to look at the design of jobs, systems, machinery and equipment, and the environment where work is done. They aim to match the work to the needs of people for safety, productivity and work satisfaction. An organisation can use the services of an ergonomist for a wide range of problems and issues, including: advice on new buildings and renovations and the working environment (eg physical environment and workplace layout) the design of tasks, jobs and work practices workplace assessment (layout, design, work processes) recognising environmental factors (eg noise, vibration, lighting) associated with work and work operations that may adversely affect health and determining methods to eliminate, reduce or control such factors investigation and prevention of accidents, injuries or diseases. The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia (HFESA) is the professional organisation of ergonomists and human factors specialists in Australia. A certified member is designated as a certified professional ergonomist or CPE. A CPE can be contacted via the HFESA website. ergonomics.org.au (9am to 4.30pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday) secretariat@ergonomics.org.au Medical practitioners and occupational health nurses Most occupational medicine is performed by general practitioners and occupational health nurses. Occupational health nurses are skilled in the provision of workplace injury prevention, injury and illness management and health surveillance. Medical practitioners provide independent medical opinions on issues such as fitness to perform particular work duties, work-related medical conditions and impairment assessment. Medical practitioners and occupational health nurses with additional qualifications, background, interests or specialities in occupational medicine can be contacted through the Australian and New Zealand Society of Occupational Medicine (ANZSOM). anzsom.org.au or anzsom@westnet.com.au 18 Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety WorkSafe Victoria

21 Appendix A Where to find consultants Occupational and environmental physicians Occupational medicine looks at the influence of work on people s health, as well as the effect of a person s health on work. Occupational and environmental physicians are skilled in the investigation and diagnosis of work-related and environment-related conditions and can provide a comprehensive approach to the management and prevention of injury, illness and disease. To find an occupational and environmental physician, contact the Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. afom.racp.edu.au (02) afoem@racp.edu.au Engineers Professional engineers apply skills in the analysis and knowledge of science, engineering, technology, management and social responsibility to problem solving in new and existing fields. Disciplines include chemical, mechanical, civil, electrical, environmental and risk engineering. Engineers Australia is the professional body representing engineers of all disciplines and can be contacted through the Engineers Australia website. engineersaustralia.com.au Radiation protection professionals Radiation protection professionals are engaged in a variety of activities designed to ensure the safe use of both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation for a wide variety of applications, including: medicine mining of radioactive ores industrial x-ray machinery or strong radio frequency sources (such as are used in plastic welding) communication and power transmission where employees and the general public are exposed to electromagnetic radiation tertiary education and research. The professional body for radiation protection professionals is the Australasian Radiation Protection Society (ARPS). Radiation protection consultants can be contacted through the ARPS website. arps.org.au arps@21century.com.au WorkSafe Victoria Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety 19

22 Appendix A Where to find consultants Other ways of contacting consultants The WorkSafe website provides links to OHS professional bodies and associations with professional members who provide consulting services. Unions and employer, trade and industry associations can also help you find an OHS consultant. The Victorian Trades Hall Council has a list of consultants who have signed its code of conduct. For more information, see the OHS reps website. ohsrep.org.au/faqs/other/consultants Some employer groups and industry associations directly provide OHS consulting services. Help from other professionals Sometimes other professionals, such as dangerous goods specialists, psychologists or architects, are needed to address specific OHS issues, such as the design of plant, buildings and structures. These professionals can be contacted through their professional association or body. 20 Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety WorkSafe Victoria

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24 WorkSafe Victoria Advisory Service 222 Exhibition Street Melbourne 3000 Phone Toll-free Head Office 222 Exhibition Street Melbourne 3000 Phone Toll-free Website worksafe.vic.gov.au Local Offices Ballarat Bendigo Dandenong Geelong Melbourne (628 Bourke Street) Mildura Mulgrave Preston Shepparton Traralgon Wangaratta Warrnambool VWA1184/01/10.08