Your union has received a wide range of feedback on Centrelink’s Draft ‘Remote Travel Standard Operating Protocols’.
Your feedback will form the basis of CPSU discussions with ANA management so
that we can ensure that the protocols uphold Centrelink’s legal obligation to
take all reasonably practicable steps to protect the health and safety of
employees involved in remote travel.
You have identified protocols that need strengthening; as well as health and
safety issues are yet to be addressed. This bulletin summarises what you have
said. We recommend that you also read the
detailed account of your feedback and the formal CPSU document
that has been sent to ANA management, which is attached at right.
Summary of what you said…
The following summarises the protocols in the draft policy, a detailed
account of the changes and additions based on your feedback are attached to this
bulletin.
Protocols you want
changed
Health & safety issues
you want addressed
Orientation training should be given to all staff before their
first trip, not within 3 months of arrival to remote servicing.
Vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B should be offered to
everyone, regardless of length of stay in remote servicing role.
There needs to be protection against other diseases such as Dengue
Fever, and TB.
Trip schedules should also include considerations such as driver
fatigue, weather conditions, delays, and hours of work.
Protocols around single officer travel to be strengthened to
ensure employees only travel alone in exceptional circumstances.
Risk assessment of work premises to ensure that working
conditions in communities pose no risk to the health and safety of
staff.
Risk assessment of the provision of Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) to eliminate risks to physical security, and
physical health of staff.
Risk assessment of accommodation used in remote communities, and
corresponding protocols to ensure living conditions are healthy and
safe.
Guidelines for single engine plane travel.
Next steps…
We have forwarded your feedback to management in our report. Your CPSU
employee representatives will discuss the issues arising at the next Health and
Safety Committees for ANA, NTOG Darwin, and NTOG Alice Springs, and Alice
Springs CSC. These health and safety committees are one of the mechanisms in
place to ensure that risks and protocols for remote travel are improved, and
continuously monitored.
What can you do to protect each others health and safety?
By joining your colleagues in union you show support for your union
representatives, and give strength to their efforts in representing the
majority of workers involved in remote travel. This campaign to resolve
health and safety issues for remote travel continues, and we have heard you
in saying there are many issues that management’s protocols are yet to
address. Your colleagues would welcome your support, please
join online securely or call 1300
137 636.
Being active in union health and safety gets results when you are backed
by the solidarity and industrial expertise of your union. If you are already
a union member and would like to do more; please email
josephine.zappia@cpsu.org.au
to talk about taking a more active role in promoting the health and safety
in your workplace.
