Regional Campaign – non-residential care services

The non-residential care services compliance program report presents the results of a compliance campaign that was conducted between March and May 2006.

The aim of the compliance program was to reduce the incidence rate of musculoskeletal disorders and work-related psychiatric or psychological injuries.

Issues covered

In total, 66 workplace assessments and more than 33 psychosocial advisories were completed.

The program focused on reducing injuries and increasing employer awareness of the severity of risk in the industry.

Drawing attention to risk factors that contribute to injuries and the need for safe work practices for manual tasks and psychosocial issues was also a priority.

Outcomes

The findings of the compliance program revealed:

A general awareness of the problems associated with manual tasks, however an understanding of the risk factors for musculoskeletal injury was limited.
A general awareness of psychosocial issues in the workplace, however awareness and understanding of the risk factors for work-related psychiatric or psychological injury was very limited.
Body stressing was identified as the most common mechanism of injury, responsible for 32% of all non-residential carer injuries.
The second most common mechanism of injury, being hit by moving objects, accounted for 19.6% of all non-residential carer injuries.
Positive practices are being implemented to manage risks associated with manual tasks and psychosocial hazards.

The compliance program has cultivated effective working relationships with industry associations, employers and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

View/print the report on the Non-residential care services (PDF, 120 KB) or call 1300 369 915.

Non-residential care services full report (PDF, 120 KB)