If you're leveraging our insurances, there are some key WH&S basics to be aware of. Oncore takes responsibility for a number of WH&S activities, but your agency also needs to understand your obligations.
Does Oncore provide a standard WH&S induction to my workers? What content is covered?
During our onboarding process, Oncore provides your workers with a WH&S induction facilitated via our induction and compliance partner WorkPro. This electronic induction covers Safety, Discrimination, Harassment & Bullying in On-Hire Work.
It is a 15-minute module that includes:
- Key definitions
- The worker’s role in an on-hire assignment as it relates to safety and bullying, discrimination, and harassment
- Workplace safety responsibilities
- Definition of unsafe work
- Common hazards and risks
- What to do if a worker encounters unsafe work
- Emergency management
- Definitions of discrimination, harassment and bullying
- Options and avenues to respond to discrimination, harassment, and bullying
- Respect@Work laws as part of the updated Closing Loopholes legislation
This induction is designed to cover general but relevant content that's in line with current legislation and best practice. We also provide workers with a copy of Oncore's current WH&S policy and a Fair Work statement.
Can I request for specific inductions to be sent to specific candidates?
One of the benefits of partnering with WorkPro is that we have access to their full library of inductions and e-learning courses. Additional inductions can be issued by Oncore, at your request, and if you can outline this when sending through onboarding information we'll be more than happy to assist. Common additional modules are:
- Working Alone Safely
- Working from Home Safely Checklist
- Working Safely From a Home Office
What other WH&S information does Oncore provide to or collect from my workers?
From a WH&S standpoint, Oncore also issues workers with a WH&S checklist along with their timesheet, salary frequency and portal information. This WH&S checklist is designed to be completed once your worker is onsite, and helps raise any potential site or role issues at the outset of the contract. Questions include:
- Do you have any specific needs or existing health conditions that we should be aware of or that might impact your ability to perform your role?
- Do you feel confident that you can perform your role safely?
- Have you been provided with a site and role specific WH&S induction by your host employer?
- Has your host employer provided you with copies of their WH&S policies or shown you how to find this information?
- Have you identified any potential risks or hazards since the commencement of your role?
If any questions raise any WH&S concerns, we'll escalate to your agency so that you can address these with your worker and your client.
What happens if a worker is injured onsite?
In the event of a Work Health and Safety (WH&S) incident affecting Oncore personnel (injury, near miss, hazard), the Oncore team expect to be notified by your agency or the impacted worker as promptly as possible (ideally within the first 24 hours). We have provided a brief overview of the subsequent process so that you know what to expect.
- The incident will be addressed initially by Oncore's Customer team, and then referred to Oncore's internal WH&S committee for review and oversight. A member of Oncore's customer team will contact your worker to discuss the incident details and communicate our Incident Management Process.
- An Incident Notification Form is forwarded to the involved parties for immediate completion and return, with supporting documentation (if possible/applicable). Oncore ensures all WH&S incidents are recorded, and once sent out the Incident Notification Form should be returned within 24 hours.
- Once the form is returned, Oncore conducts an internal assessment and decides on the necessary action - this involves discussing with the worker whether they'd like to lodge a claim; and dependent on the nature of the incident may require a report to the relevant authorities.
- If a Workcover claim is to be lodged, the incident will be referred to Workcom. Workcom are Oncore's partner for rehabilitation and claims management. Oncore will provide an introduction and handover to Workcom so that your worker understands their role and the next steps. The case management of the incident is handled by Workcom, who will take carriage of the claim submission, progress, on-going management and return to work activities.
- Oncore will be in regular contact with your worker and Workcom through the duration of the claim and successful return to work. It is important that you continue to check in with your worker also. The earlier the action and the more consistent the communication, the better the return to work outcome.
Is it important to report hazards or near misses to Oncore? What's the process?
Yes. In the same way that we would want you to notify Oncore in the event of a workplace injury, you need to ensure that you report near misses or hazards to us. We can then assist you with making decisions around what to do to ensure the worksite is safe moving forward, or that the hazard has been resolved.
It is incredibly important to document these incidents; especially the risk mitigation, harm reduction or hazard removal strategies/actions that were taken.
What actions can my agency take to ensure that my workers are safe onsite?
- Complete a site safety assessment for all new clients and sites.
- Complete a job compatibility assessment including an assessment of each task to be performed.
- Screen candidates’ compatibility with available roles and put the right person in the right job.
- Be aware of your rights and responsibilities when it comes to medical checking and pre-engagement screening. Ensure accurate and comprehensive record keeping.
- Induct candidates into your company and ensure that they complete a site-specific induction including training/induction for each task to be performed.
- Maintain contact, relationships, and supervision with both client and candidate.
- Only permit tasks be performed that were agreed, assessed, inducted and trained. If the scope of the role changes, ensure that your worker has the necessary skill set and capability to perform the adjusted duties.
You can read more information specifically about navigating WH&S in an on-hire environment by checking out our co-branded WorkPro e-book here.
How can I reduce risk and potentially limit incidents or injuries as best as possible?
As above, there are simple actions you can take to limit the risk of incidents or injuries. Good pre-engagement practices, familiarity with client sites and role specifics ensure that you have an understanding of the environment that you are placing your workers into - and their capacity to perform the role as required.
Fostering positive and transparent relationships with your clients and workers also assists; as this will assist you to pick up on any potential WH&S issues before they arise.
These relationships can also result in better return to work scenarios in the event that you do end up navigating a worksite injury.
If I am using Oncore's insurance, does this mean that I don't have to do anything?
If you're leveraging Oncore's insurances, there are a number of WH&S items that we take care of for you: the induction, injury and claims management, and return to work activities.
However, this does not mean that you don't need to take your own actions. In an on-hired environment, a commitment to best practice WH&S from all parties involved is paramount.
As outlined in our FAQ's there are actions that you need to ensure that you're taking - as well as keeping clear records of these actions.