Seacare Authority

Seacare Authority – major initiatives in 2003 – 04

• Commencement of stage two of the review of the Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992 (Seafarers Act) and Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) Act 1993 (OHS(MI) Act), the Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Levy Act 1992 (Levy Act) and Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Levy Collection Act 1992 (Levy Collection Act)
  
• Completion of an analysis of the extent and cost of lump sum claim settlements in the Seacare scheme
  
• Adoption of the Seacare Leaders Program, which encourages a stronger partnership with industry employers aimed towards improving injury prevention, injury management and reducing compensation costs
  
• Management of the Seafarers Safety Net Fund, and implementation of a strategy to ensure the Fund has sufficient reserves to meet its liabilities
  
• Adoption of a set of Seacare Authority Performance Indicators (SAPI) including OHS positive performance indicators, underpinned by adoption of new data specifications agreed with the industry
  
• Commencement of discussions with the new National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) including the framework for a Seacare-NOPSA Memorandum of Understanding aimed at improving the administration of the OHS(MI) Act in the offshore petroleum sector
  
• Introduction of Regulations under the OHS(MI) Act to prohibit the use of asbestos in maritime industry workplaces, and commencement of industry consultation on introduction of regulations and a code
  of practice addressing manual handling standards
  
• Provision of the first comprehensive report against the OHS performance improvement targets for the maritime industry, set in 2001 – 02
  
• Promoted Sea Safe Work Day on 28 April 2004
  
• Assisted the establishment of the first OHS Practitioner’s Network in Victoria
  
• Completion of a review of support services to the Seacare Authority, undertaken by KPMG
  
• Continued participation in Australasian comparative performance reporting projects – the national
  Comparative Performance Monitoring (CPM) Report and Australasian Return to Work Monitor
  (ARTW Monitor)