From the CEO's desk
October was an exciting month for WorkCover WA as we welcomed a diverse number of industry experts to speak at our seventh conference Working together….a better future.
With over 300 delegates, the conference was a resounding success, sharing - as it set out to do - invaluable experience, research and ideas within the injury management industry.
Opened by the Minister for Employment Protection Michelle Roberts MLA, we were privileged to hear from high calibre presenters such as Dr. Rod Gutierrez whose five year study of stress claims demonstrated the need to focus on human relationships in the workplace, and pain specialist Professor Michael Nicholas who outlined how an understanding of pain and its treatment is critical for claims management.
Michelle Chatfield from Harvey Beef also brought valuable lessons in how industry can bring about positive change by working together and provided an excellent example of how workplace injury risks and compensation costs can be reduced through changes in ergonomic design.
It’s always refreshing to hear experts reporting on new research which challenges current thinking. This not only keeps us informed but paves the way for best practice, and with the upcoming Scheme Update Seminar early next year and the release of Injury Management research results, I believe we are already leading the way.
For anyone who was unable to attend the conference, I trust that this conference highlights e-newsletter and the selection of articles it contains will be both interesting and informative.
And to all WorkCover WA’s stakeholders, thank you for your commitment to injury management this year. I’m looking forward to working with everyone again in 2008 and beyond, and wish you all a safe holiday season and a prosperous New Year.
Warm Regards,
Adrian Warner,
CEO WorkCover WA
Knowledge, perspectives, cooperation and best practice are cornerstones of conference
Growing industry knowledge, achieving best practice, understanding different perspectives and appreciating the value in cooperation were the four key themes of this year’s conference.
With experts presenting on topics relating to the continuous improvements of injury management practices, the two day event showcased numerous examples of top research, data, information sharing and new ideas.
A variety of practical examples of how organisations have made positive changes to foster best practice and ultimately aim for better outcomes for injured workers were also shared with conference delegates.
As a result of the diverse range of international, national and local speakers, delegates agreed that the conference forum provided an environment for constructive debate and innovative thinking.
And for those who were unable to attend the event in person, read on to discover more of what key speakers had to say…
What delegates thought...
“It was an excellent conference, the speakers were without exception interesting, the topics relevant and overall it was a conference that WA could be proud of. I have attended a number of similar conferences and by comparison this was far superior. Perhaps because it was organised by people involved in the business,”
Pam Edwards, Senior Workers' Compensation Consultant, Alcoa.
“I’ve been really very impressed,” Dr Katrina Powers, Health Services Australia.
Labelled as significant, insightful and dynamic, WorkCover WA’s conference was hailed a resounding success by delegates who found it inspired debate and outlined new initiatives and examples of best practice within the injury management industry.
Overall the conference and speakers received ratings of ‘good to very good’, with 14 per cent of delegates rating both as ‘excellent’.
And attendees agreed that the quality and relevance of presentations was also impressive, with 83 per cent requesting a similar injury management conference every two years.
For most of the 350 delegates, learning about injury management and best practice were the core reasons for attending, while others were keen to update and increase their knowledge, network with other professionals and learn about different perspectives within the injury management field.
Representing nine industry groups and 22 professional roles, delegates reported that they became aware of better ways to manage injuries during the two day event, as well as gaining practical information which they felt could assist in their day to day work.
Conference articles
Please scroll down to access a selection of articles from key papers presented during the conference. To access the full document please click on the link displayed. This will take you to the WorkCover WA website where you can read the article in full.
In addition, the majority of presentations can be downloaded from the conference website.
Working smarter - and in partnership
Although many differences exist between Australia’s and New Zealand’s workers’ compensation schemes, both seek to secure best outcomes for injured workers according to Dr Jan White, Chief Executive of New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).
Understanding the pain process
During his interactive lunchtime presentation, Associate Professor Nicholas from The University of Sydney questioned why not everyone with chronic pain reported reduced work productivity.
He also went on to examine why some injured workers manage persisting pain well while others do not, in addition to exploring why an individual patient’s attitude towards their care can have a major effect on costs and health outcomes.
Shaping today’s workforce for tomorrow
Examining the different perspectives and values of baby boomers as well as Generations X and Y was the theme for Nigel Barker’s conference paper, which also focused on both the benefits and challenges of a mature workforce.
“We’re all aware that we have an ageing population, yet there is still discrimination against older workers,” said Mr Barker, who was CEO of Council on the Ageing WA (Inc) for nine years.
Taking a different approach to workplace injury
Injury management expert Dr Rod Gutierrez challenged current thinking about workplace psychological distress during the conference by claiming that it is human relationships rather than a particular type of job or its content that causes workplace stress.
Looking beyond the physical
The significance of integrating a biopsychosocial model to employees’ rehabilitation was central to vocational rehabilitation industry leader Pam Garton’s conference presentation.
Computers impacting on young bodies
Curtin University’s Professor Leon Straker revealed during the conference that two thirds of children have experienced discomfort as a result of the now widespread use of computers – a phenomenon that he believes is impacting upon the development of young workers.
Focusing on leadership styles and culture
Factors for improving workplace climate hinge on leadership style, management practices, organisational culture and climate according to Dr. Peter Cotton.
Shifting the focus on occupational injury
During his presentation, occupational physician Dr Steve Overmeire argued that GP’s needed to approach pain very differently in the future to address patients’ psychosocial issues.
Thinking about small business
WorkSafe was represented at WorkCover WA’s conference with guest speaker Kate Wang outlining the need for small businesses, particularly those in high risk industries with significant rates of lost time injuries, to stay abreast of safe working practices.
Upcoming Events
Scheme update seminar, planned for March/April
This will provide an update on:
- The health of the workers’ compensation scheme; and
- WorkCover WA's initiatives and key project.
This is suitable for anybody who wants to learn more about the agency's focus and scheme performance and who would also like involvment in shaping key projects.
The release of injury management research outcomes and the launch of campaign initiatives/strategies
Stakeholders will be sent more information on both of these initatives in the first quarter of 2008.
