Page 3764 - Week 12 - Thursday, 13 October 1994
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With respect to claims for stress-related conditions, the pattern in the ACT Government Service is similar to that in the Commonwealth. Data from Comcare indicates that the number of claims for stress has increased over the last four years (from 65 in 1990-91 to 140 in 1993-94). Stress claims comprised 9 per cent of all claims in the ACT in 1993-94 compared with 4 per cent in 1990-91.
It is clear that to reduce workers compensation costs, the ACT Government Service must take action in workplaces to
• prevent illness and injury; and
• speed up the successful rehabilitation of injured workers.
I can report that action is in hand, as a priority, on several fronts, again reflecting the diversity in the nature of work undertaken in the ACT Government Service.
STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION
Manual Handling and Safe Working Programs customised to particular workplace needs are being run in agencies to reduce the number and severity of manual handling injuries which can often result in claims for back injuries, strains and sprains. Defensive Driving Programs are being run in appropriate agencies.
To reduce the incidence of stress-related conditions the ACT Government Service is implementing Comcares Quality of Working Life Program aimed at early identification and active intervention in stress inducing situations. Staff also have access to the confidential counselling service known as the Employment Assistance Program.
REHABILITATION STRATEGIES
The Department of Public Administration is streamlining the rehabilitation process by working with line agencies and Comcare to review the status of each existing case and the associated paperwork.
The objective of getting injured workers back to work as quickly as possible is facilitated by active intervention and the use of programs such as the Reskilling Placement Scheme.
These initiatives are being taken against the background of a general education program to raise levels of awareness particularly among line managers of the need for
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