CPSU believes that a healthy and safe workplace is every employee's right - and responsibility. CPSU also believes all employees should have access to a fair system of workers' compensation for injuries and illness that occurs during the course of employment.
Health and Safety
Unions have a proud history and proven track record when it comes to making
work safer for all employees. Today, CPSU continues to play an active role in
setting new industry benchmarks for healthy workplaces through training, policy
formulation and enforcement of existing standards.
If you are concerned about safety standards at work, or have a desire to find
out more and receive training as an OHS representative, CPSU can help. We also
provide ongoing news, information, assistance and support to health and safety
reps - so if you are not yet a member and want to find out more contact us
today.
Safety first
Raise concerns: If you are have a health and safety concern at
work make sure you tell someone immediately. Find out who your local health
and safety representative is and raise the matter with them. Your OHS rep
can then investigate and take up the matter with management. Make sure you
keep a note or journal entry of any unsafe work practices you might observe.
Know your rights: If you have a heath and safety concern and
you're a union member, contact CPSU. Staff from the Member Service Centre
can provide facts and information on a range of OHS issues including basic
facts, areas to watch out for and applicable industry standards. OHS reps
and CPSU members can register for regular health and safety e-mail updates.
Negotiating compensation rules and procedures isn't easy at the best of
times, let alone when you're sick or injured. CPSU can help take some of the
added stress out of equation by providing advice on applicable procedures and
entitlements, help lodging claims and reviews as well as negotiating return to
work plans.
Get the facts: There are specific
definitions relating to injury and illness, deadlines for claims and
important information regarding the compensation system - so make sure you
get the right advice from the beginning. Through the Member Service Centre,
CPSU members have access to experienced organisers who are on hand to
provide confidential advice and assistance. If you are not yet a member,
find out more about joining.
Be realistic: Making a successful
compensation claim can sometimes prove a real challenge - after all every
case is different. There are evidentiary requirements that need to be met
for claims to be successfully assessed and some significant timeframes are
involved. Its another reason why it's important to get the right advice
initially from somebody in the know.
Record keeping: Successful claims need
plenty of supporting documentation: incident reports, diary entries, medical
certificates, specialist information. Make sure you keep accurate and
comprehensive records to support your case.
