WorkSafe Board Advisory Committees
WorkSafe has two Board Advisory Committees that are appointed by the responsible Minister.
Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Committee
The Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Committee (OHSAC) was established under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act) to advise the WorkSafe Board about promoting healthy and safe working environments and the operation and administration of the OHS Act and regulations.
OHSAC was established to provide a forum of people with expertise and/or who represent stakeholders with an interest in matters involving the promotion of healthy and safe working environments and in the operation and administration of the OHS Act.
Composition of the Committee: The Chair of the WorkSafe Board is the Chair of OHSAC. Members of the Committee are appointed by the Minister, and consist of:
- 2 persons recommended by WorkSafe's Board of Management who represent the interests of WorkSafe;
- 2 persons who the Minister considers represent the interests of the Crown;
- 6 persons who the Minister considers represent the interests of employers (at least 2 of whom the Minister considers represent the interests of employers engaged in small business);
- 6 persons who the Minister considers represent the interests of employees;
- 2 independent persons who the Minister considers have appropriate expertise and experience in OHS.
Members of OHSAC include:
- Bob Cameron - Chair
- Colin Radford - Chief Executive Officer, WorkSafe (WorkSafe)
- Narelle Beer - Executive Director Health & Safety, WorkSafe (WorkSafe)
- Prof. Malcolm Sim – Director, Monash Centre / Occupational & Environment Health (Independent)
- Lisa Fitzpatrick - Victorian Branch Secretary, Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (Independent)
- Gerry Ayres - Health & Safety Unit Manager, CFMEU (Employees)
- Michael Donovan - Victorian Branch Secretary, Shop, Distributive & Allied Employed Association (Employees)
- Karen Batt - Victorian Branch Secretary, Community & Public Sector Union (Employees)
- Wil Stracke - Assistant Secretary, Victorian Trades Hall Council (Employees)
- Tim Gunstone - National WHS Campaigns & Education Coordinator, United Workers Union (Employees)
- Tim Piper - Head Victoria, Australian Industry Group (Employers)
- Samantha Read - Chief Executive Officer, Chemistry Australia (Employers)
- Stuart McCullough - Chief Executive, Victoria Hospitals' Industrial Association (Employers)
- Lynda McAlary-Smith – Commissioner, Victoria Small Business Commissioner (Crown)
WorkCover Advisory Committee
The WorkCover Advisory Committee (WAC) was established under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (WIRC Act) to advise the WorkSafe Board about workers' entitlement to compensation, return to work, rehabilitation, and the operation and administration of the WIRC Act and relevant regulations.
The purpose of the WAC is to focus on strategic issues, providing an important interface between WorkSafe's operational activity and the Board.
Composition of the Committee: The Chair of the WorkSafe Board is the Chair of WAC. Members of the Committee are appointed by the Minister, and consist of:
- persons with a sound knowledge of the law relating to accident compensation
- persons with experience in the provision of hospital services or medical services
- persons with experience in accident compensation who are nominated by Victorian employer and employee groups, and
- persons with knowledge and experience in accident rehabilitation
Members of WAC include:
- Bob Cameron - Chair
- Wil Stracke - Assistant Secretary, Victorian Trades Hall Council (Employees)
- Karen Batt - Victorian Branch Secretary, Community & Public Sector Union (Employees)
- Lisa Fitzpatrick - Victorian Branch Secretary, Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (Employees)
- Tim Piper - Head Victoria, Australian Industry Group (Employers)
- Paul Guerra - Chief Executive, Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Employers)
- Stefan Delaney - Chair, Self Insurers Association of Victoria (Employers)
- Ben Gilley - Practice Group Leader, Slater & Gordon Lawyers (Knowledge of applicable law)
- Carolyn Ford - Member Representative, Law Institute of Victoria (Legal Counsel / Ryan Carlisle Thomas) (Knowledge of applicable law)
- Emma Hines - Managing Counsel, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers (Knowledge of applicable law)
- Zena Burgess - Chief Executive Officer, Australian Psychological Society (Provision of hospital or medical services)
Meeting topics covered in 2023
- March
OHSAC Main topic: Preventing Transport Related Fatalities
WAC Main Topic: Return to Work
- June – Combined OHSAC & WAC Meeting
Main topic: Hazardous Manual Handling
- September
OHSAC Main topic: Renewable Energy
WAC Main topic: TBC
- November – Combined OHSAC & WAC Meeting
Main topic: Mental Health (Prevention and Return to Work for Mental Injury)