Annual Report 2023-24

     Work Health and Safety                                                                                                     During the reporting period, planning and development of




                                                                                                                                                                                            Our Council
                                                                                                                                psychosocial activities was conducted through workshops
                                                                                                                                with the executive team. In addition to this, People &
     Council has a proactive approach with a strong focus on    continually improving our safety culture and behaviour          Culture assessed all P&C policies and instruments to
     work health and safety in everyday work. Our procedures    in order to ensure the provision of a safe working              identify compliance and areas for improvement. In June
     and programs outline safety duties, responsibilities,      environment for its employees, contractors, volunteers,         2024, the Executive Team provided endorsement for a
     and guidelines for managers, supervisors and all other     labour hire employees and visitors to Council premises          psychosocial survey to inform an organisational risk
     workers to create and support a positive safety culture.   and worksites.                                                  assessment to be undertaken in FY2024/25.

     Workplace Health & Safety                                  Safety Programs & Incident Reporting                            Workplace Injury
     Management System Plan                                     Council continues to position itself as a leader in safety      This reporting period, Council has experienced low
     On 14 February 2024, the Executive Team and CEO            with the implementation of innovative safety initiatives to     numbers of injuries resulting in workers’ compensation
     approved Council’s updated Work Health and Safety          increase not only the safety culture but also proficiencies     claims as outlined in the table. Council’s Work Health
     Management System Plan 2024 – 2026. This Plan sets         within the organisation. Programs include an online             and Safety Team continue to focus on education, training,
     out a strategic framework to support Council’s work        Safety Learning Management Program and App-based                prevention, and injury management to continuously
     health and safety management system and to ensure          voice activated risk assessments.                               improve our claims performance and support our
     that Council:                                                                                                              employees.
      — Provides a safe and healthy workplace                  Furthermore, Council utilises a cloud-based safety and
      — Complies with applicable health and safety             compliance software system solution that is intuitive           Workers’ Compensation Claims up to 30 June 2024
         legislation, such as the Queensland Work Health and    and allows for seamless injury, hazard, and inspection
         Safety Act 2011                                        management and reporting.
                                                                                                                                 Year                           No. of Claims
      — Meets the requirements of the Local Government
         Workcare “Mutual Risk Obligations” program, and        These programs have produced administrative
86                                                                                                                               2014                            9                            87
      — Follows the framework set out by the National Audit    efficiencies for employees, coupled with a greater
         Tool for Self-Insurers.                                understanding by employees of risk management and
                                                                controls, leading to a safer work environment.                   2015                            28
     The Plan comprises of five key elements as outlined
     below. The Plan applies for a period of two years and is   Managing Psychosocial Risks in the Workplace                     2016                            30
     supported by a Monthly Action Plan.                        On 1 April 2023, the Queensland Government’s Code
      — Health and Safety Policy                               of Practice for Managing the risks of psychosocial               2017                            19
      —P  lanning                                              hazards at work came into effect. Council continues to
      — Implementation                                         be committed to creating mentally healthy workplaces             2018                            26
      —M  easurement and evaluation                            where people can thrive and achieve their best. Council
      —M  anagement review                                     is managing psychosocial risks at work by:
                                                                                                                                 2019                            17
                                                                 — Identifying hazards
     Council regards its work health and safety obligations      — Eliminating or minimising risks
                                                                                                                                 2020                            34
     with the utmost importance and as such, resources will      — Controlling risks
     continue to be made available to allow Council to comply    — Maintaining and reviewing control measures, and




                                                                                                                                                                                            Noosa Council Annual Report 23/24
     with relevant legislation, implement and continually        — Consulting with employees throughout the process.             2021                            25
     improve its work health and safety management system
     and maintain a safe and healthy work environment.          The new Code provides our council with practical guidance        2022                            25
                                                                on how to prevent harm and keep our Council workplaces
     Workplace Health & Safety Policy                           safe, healthy, and productive. Council will continue to focus    2023                            9
     On 16 October 2023, Council’s CEO approved the             on risk management by implementing various initiatives,
     updated Organisational Policy on Workplace Health &        programs and awareness opportunities with our workforce          2024                            14
     Safety. This Policy confirms Council’s commitment to       to reduce psychosocial hazards at work.