Frequently Asked Questions
Can the ASCC help me with my workers' compensation claim?
No. The ASCC is a policy advisory body for government and does not have a role in the management of individual workers' compensation claims. Please contact the WorkCover authority responsible for workers' compensation in your state or territory.
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Can the ASCC give me a workers' compensation insurance policy?
No. The ASCC is a policy advisory body for government and does not management workers' compensation insurance. Please contact the WorkCover authority responsible for workers' compensation in your state or territory.
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I've been injured at work. What should I do?
Contact the WorkCover authority responsible for workers' compensation in your state or territory.
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Troubleshooting PDF documents
Q: I have problems accessing PDF documents on the ASCC website.
A: Some users occasionally experience problems that prevent them from opening a PDF document. Some may get the following error message from Adobe Acrobat when trying to download a PDF document:
‘The file is damaged and could not be opened, or Expected a dict. Object’
If this is the case, please follow the steps below.
- Close your browser.
- Open Adobe Reader.
- Go to the Edit menu and select Preferences.
- In the left column select Internet.
- Uncheck Allow fast web view.
- Uncheck Display PDF in browser.
- Click OK, and try again.
The PDFs will display in a separate window rather than in your browser window.
If you still cannot access the PDF, or you get a different error message, please contact us at info@ascc.gov.au.
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Student enquiries
Q: I am a student, where can I find OHS information?
A: The publications page is a good starting point to find OHS information.
Publications include:
- National standards, codes of practice and related guidance material
- Research reports
- Statistical data and reports
- Education and training documents
- Corporate publications
If you require information on regulations and legislation you will need to contact the OHS authority in your state or territory.
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Statistics and data enquiries
Q: Where can I find national statistics on OHS and workers’ compensation?
A: The NOSI2 database (opens in a new window) provides online workers’ compensation statistics.
Statistics are available for industry, occupation, gender and age and can include the following:
- Incidence rate
- Frequency rate
- Number of cases
- Percentage
- Duration of absence
- Nature or mechanism of injury or disease
Statistical information is also available in the publications section including the annual Compendium of Workers’ Compensation Statistics and industry fact sheets.
State/territory statistics can also be found by contacting your local OHS authority.
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Hazardous Substances enquiries
Q: How do I obtain a full list of designated hazardous substances?
A: A full list of Designated Hazardous Substances can be obtained from the HSIS database (opens in a new window) by undertaking a ‘blank’ search. This will generate a complete list of hazardous substances for your reference, leave all fields blank and click search.
Q: How do I find information on a specific hazardous substance?
A: Information on a specific hazardous substance can be obtained from the HSIS database (opens in a new window). Click Search Hazardous Substances under HSIS Navigation. Insert relevant information and click Search.
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OHS Training Course Enquiries
Q: Where can I find out about OHS training courses?
A: You should contact your state and territory OHS authority or the tertiary admissions centre in you state/territory. The details are listed below.
Queensland
Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC)
postal address: PO Box 1331, MILTON QLD 4064
telephone: (07) 3858 1222
www.qtac.edu.au
South Australia and Northern Territory
South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC)
postal address: PO Box 2, Rundle Mall, Adelaide SA 5000
telephone: (08) 8224 4000 or 1300 138 440 (local call charge)
facsimile: (08) 8224 4099 - university admissions
facsimile: (08) 8224 4098 - TAFE admissions
www.satac.edu.au
Tasmania
There is no centralised admissions centre. Enquiries should be directed to the university or TAFE that you wish to study at.
Victoria
Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)
street address: 40 Park Street, SOUTH MELBOURNE VIC 3205
telephone: 1300 364 133
email: enquiry@vtac.edu.au
www.vtac.edu.au
Western Australia
Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC)
street address: 100 Royal Street, EAST PERTH WA 6004
telephone: (08) 9318 8000
facsimile: (08) 9225 7050
www.tisc.edu.au
NSW and ACT
Universities Admissions Centre
postal address: Locked Bag 112, SILVERWATER NSW 2128
telephone: (02) 9752 0200
www.uac.edu.au
Comcare
GPO Box 9905
Canberra ACT 2601
telephone: 1300 366 979
www.comcare.gov.au
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Mailing List enquiries
Q: How do I join the ASCC mailing list?
A: Simply email info@ascc.gov.au with your name and relevant contact details. You will then receive the ASCC quarterly newsletter, Advancing National Safety, and other updates to national safety information as they become available.
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Jurisdictional enquiries
Q: Where can I find information about OHS legislation?
A: The role of the ASCC is to lead and coordinate national efforts to improve occupational health and safety (OHS) and workers’ compensation arrangements, declare national standards and codes of practice for OHS and provide policy advice to the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council on OHS and workers’ compensation arrangements.
The ASCC is not a regulatory authority and does not make or enforce laws. Responsibility for the regulation of OHS in Australia rests primarily with state and territory governments, with the Australian government having responsibility for OHS laws covering Commonwealth public sector employees; private sector employees whose employers hold self insurance licences under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and some seafarers.
All ASCC standards and codes of practice are guidance and advisory documents only. They are not enforceable unless they implemented in regulation within a particular jurisdiction.
If you need information on OHS legislation and regulations, please contact your state or territory OHS authority.
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Safe Work Australia Week
Q: What is Safe Work Australia Week?
A: Safe Work Australia Week is a national week developed to focus attention on workplace safety issues around Australia. It aims to encourage all working Australians particularly employers to get involved and concentrate on safety in their workplace to reduce death, injury and disease.
In 2007, Safe Work Australia Week will be held from 21 to 27 October with activities being conducted by all jurisdictions during the week.
More information on Safe Work Australia Week.
Q: What are the Safe Work Australia Awards?
A: The Safe Work Australia Awards acknowledge excellence in OHS. To enter the awards participants must be a winner in their respective category in state or territory level OHS awards.
In 2007 there are five award categories:
- Best workplace health and safety management system
- Best solution to an identified workplace health and safety issue
- Best workplace health and safety practice in small business
- Public sector leadership award for injury prevention and management
- Best individual contribution to workplace health and safety
More information on the Safe Work Australia Awards.
Q: When is World Day for Safety and Health at Work?
A: The 28 April is the International Labor Organization's (ILO) World Day for Safety and Health at Work. This day is held every year with the aim to focus attention on promoting and creating a safe and healthy culture at work.
The theme for 2007 will be:
Safe and Healthy Workplaces - Making Decent Work a Reality
Further information will soon be available on the ILO website http://www.ilo.org/ .
The observance of this day has two main objectives:
- to promote and create awareness of OHS both nationally and internationally
- to elicit cooperation and support of employers, and employees and the general community in improving OHS in Australian workplaces.
The Australian Government supports the ILO in its efforts to improve OHS outcomes for workers throughout the world. Australia ratified ILO convention 155, Occupational Safety and Health,1981, on 26 March 1994.
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Australian Standards Information
Q: I cannot find the standard I am after on the ASCC website, where would it be?
A: If you can not find the standard you are looking for on the ASCC website, it may be one that has been developed by Standards Australia. The contact details for Standards Australia are as follows:
Standards Australia Limited
286 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000
GPO Box 476, Sydney, NSW, 2001
Telephone: +61 2 8206 6000
Email: mail@standards.org.au
Website: www.standards.org.au
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Food Health and Safety Practices
Q: Does the ASCC provide information in regards to safe food practices?
A: The aim of the ASCC is to lead and coordinate Australia’s national effort to promote best practice in OHS, improve workers’ compensation arrangements and improve rehabilitation and return to work of injured workers.
For information regarding safe food practices, please contact the health department in your state/territory.
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Commercial Products
Q: Could you please supply me with workplace health and safety posters?
A: The ASCC does not produce general workplace health and safety posters. For general OHS material, contact the OHS authority in your state or territory.
Q: How does my business gain endorsement from the ASCC?
A: The ASCC does not endorse or promote any commercial products.
Other useful sites:
Safety Institute of Australia (SIA)
www.sia.org.au
Standards Australia Limited
www.standards.org.au
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Q: Where can I obtain advice on how to develop and implement an OHS policy for my business?
A: The ASCC does not provide advice to individuals or business on how to develop or implement OHS policies for the workplace.
In this instance you will need to contact the OHS authority in your state or territory.
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Page last updated: 23/04/2008