WorkCover Authority of New South Wales - Wikipedia WorkCover Authority of New South Wales WorkCover Authority of New South Wales Statutory authority overview Formed Dissolved 2015 Jurisdiction New South Wales Parent Statutory authority Department of Finance and Services Key documents Safety, Return to Work and Support Board Act, 2012 ( NSW ) Work Health and Safety Act, 2011 ( NSW ) Website workcover.nsw.gov.au The WorkCover Authority of New South Wales or WorkCover NSW is a New South Wales Government agency established in 1989. The agency creates regulations to promote productive, healthy and safe workplaces for workers and employers in New South Wales. The agency formed part of the Safety, Return to Work and Support Division established pursuant to the Safety, Return to Work and Support Board Act, 2012 ( NSW ). On 1 September 2015, WorkCover NSW was replaced by three new entities -- Insurance and Care NSW ( icare ), the State Insurance Regulatory Authority ( SIRA ), and SafeWork NSW, the new work health and safety regulator. The changes were part of reforms to improve the workers compensation system for employers and injured workers. The information below pertains to the former WorkCover NSW. WorkCover NSW no longer exists, however its functions have been split between the aforementioned newly created agencies. The Authority enforces their role 1324 providing a list of rules that employers must follow in the form of a legal legislation. It is possible for them to enforce it by having the right to inspect workplaces to check that the legislation is being followed. It contains the requirements to keep a hazardous chemicals register, requirements to train, instruct and provide information to staff about handling the chemicals. Some of the things work cover ensures when it inspects work places is that all employees are properly trained, have the correct and appropriate personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and have the correct equipment to use. Contents 1 Powers and responsibilities 2 Health and safety 3 Insurance and premiums 4 Injuries and claims 4.1 Injuries 5 Licensing 6 Medical and health care 6.1 Allied health providers 7 Law and Policy 7.1 Acts 7.2 Codes of Practice 7.3 Fraud 7.4 Regulations 7.5 Standards 8 Controversy 9 2012 legislation 10 References 11 External links Powers and responsibilities The WorkCover Authority of New South Wales primarily administers New South Wales workplace health and safety law, including the Work Health and Safety Act, 2011 ( NSW ) and the Workers Compensation Act, 1987 ( NSW ). WorkCover prepares codes of practice for particular industries, and investigates reports of unsafe practices in particular workplaces. Through the investigation of complaints of occupational health and safety practices, WorkCover inspectors may forcibly enter places of work, take objects, and require information from people in charge of particular places of work. Once an investigation has concluded, WorkCover may require employers to improve their occupational health and safety practices, or refrain from authorising certain work. Health and safety WorkCover assesses all health and safety aspects of the workforce. This includes the environment by which an employee may raise a workplace safety issue and how to do so, the rights and responsibilities of everyone in the work place, including employers, employees and people visiting the workplace, the duty of care of people in the workforce, including planning for the prevention of accidents to people in the workplace, and what happens when these duties are n't met. WorkCover may also review bullying and psychosocial issues of employees and employers, and how to stop bullying, the appropriate knowledge and handling skills of different chemicals, how efficient and ergonomic the workplace is, ensuring appropriate usage of space. The Authority may also examine noise levels within the workforce, not exceeding the legal noise limit, and also the correct use and apt training for the use of machinery and equipment. Insurance and premiums If a workplace injury or disease occurs, workers and employers are protected by the NSW workers compensation scheme. The scheme is in place to help maintain a financially viable workers compensation system that is fair and affordable for employers and improves outcomes for injured workers. The scheme is in place to give workers injured in the workplace medical and financial support. It is funded by premiums that are paid by the employers. The amount of premium that is paid by the employer depends on a few factors including the industry or sector operated ; the amount of wages paid to your workers, the costs of any claims made by your injured workers and the dust diseases levy. If an injury does occur in the workplace, the employer will be covered for the cost of compensation to the worker that is injured, provided the employer has a ' workers compensation insurance policy '. Due to the workers compensation system, any injured worker may be able to get compensation in the form of weekly payments ; lump sum payments for permanent impairment ( and pain and suffering where applicable ) ; and payment of medical and hospital expenses and rehabilitation assistance. Injuries and claims WorkCover is responsible for providing protection to workers and employers in the form of a compensation system for work sustained injuries, which can provide weekly payments, lump sums for permanent impairment ( and pain and suffering where applicable ), payment of medical bills, provision of legal assistance to pursue a claim, and / or intensive rehabilitation assistance. Workplace injuries are managed to ensure that the worker recovers and is able to return to work. This includes treatment and rehabilitation, retraining of the worker and the management of any compensation claims. The idea is that through the management of the injury, the worker may be able to return to work as soon as possible, and that all parts of an employer 's policies for the return to work program are followed. A return to work coordinator should be nominated by an employer to help injured workers to return in a safe manner. The return to work coordinator can either be an employee nominated by the employer, or a person contracted specifically for this purpose. As part of the return to work program, an employer shall provide suitable duties for the worker during their recovery period, so that they are still able to continue working and do not have to take time off work completely. These duties should be short term, with a goal of assisting the recovery process, and shall comply with the worker 's medical certificate, and finally shall be agreed upon by the employer, the worker, and their doctor. WorkCover also runs various programs to help injured workers in returning to work. These include short periods of work experience called work trials to assist them in developing or redeveloping skills, and to build up physical and psychological fitness ; formal retraining of skills at TAFE or university if the worker is unable to find suitable work after injury ; funding to help with purchasing equipment to modify the work environment to the injured worker 's needs ; and the JobCover placement program ( JPP ), which provides a financial incentive to another employer to employ the injured worker In the case of a worker being injured, the employer, worker and insurer all have certain responsibilities to ensure that they are compensated, and given assistance so they can make a full recovery and return to work. Injuries It is the responsibility of an injured worker to immediately report it to their employer, and the details of the incident must be added to the register of injuries -- a list containing all current injuries suffered by workers, caused in the workplace. If the injury is deemed serious enough, a claim can be made to the insurer. This can be made by anyone ; however it must be done within 48 hours of the injury being notified. The insurer will then give the person who notified them a notification number, which can be used to track their notification. The claimant shall provide the insurer with details about the following : worker 's information -- their name, residential address, contact details and date of birth employer 's information -- the business name, current business address and employer contact treating Doctor information -- the name of the doctor or hospital where the injured worker is being treated injury or illness details -- the date of the injury, description of how it happened and a description of the injury itself notifier information -- the name of person making the notification, relationship to injured worker and contact details supporting information -- anything else the notifier considers necessary. Payments will be made to the injured worker on a weekly basis, the amount dependent on the severity of the injury. In cases where the worker is injured permanently, they may be entitled to one or two lump sum payments. The employer shall send the claim to the insurer within seven days of receiving it, and the insurer may ask the employer questions about the claim, and ask for extra documentation which must be provided before the claim can go through. A complying agreement must then be made in writing between the insurer and the injured worker. If the employer has not notified a workplace injury to the insurer or will not provide the employee with their workers compensation insurance policy number, the WorkCover Assistance Service on 13 10 50 assists with guiding claimants. Licensing Before people and businesses undertake high risk activities in the workplace, they may be required to : obtain a permit notify WorkCover register certain equipment hold a licence or certificate of competency WorkCover 's Licensing Solutions Unit administer, advise, assess and approve applications for licences, permits, registrations and notifications. To be able to use explosives or fireworks, a licence must be received from WorkCover. They are in charge of the regulation of explosive chemicals, in terms of unsupervised handling, use, manufacture, storage, import, supply and transport. ( 5 ) It is illegal to be in possession of explosive and dangerous chemicals without the appropriate WorkCover licence. Licences for explosives will only be given for commercial manufacturing, mining and quarrying, and anyone applying for these licences must have extensive background checks from police and security agencies. For fireworks, either a pyrotechnicians licence, or a fireworks ( single use ) licence is required. A pyrotechnicians licence allows you to use fireworks and teach people with a fireworks ( single use ) licence in the correct handling of fireworks. A licensed pyrotechnician must also notify WorkCover seven working days before any fireworks are used, and complete the Fireworks display : Notification of pyrotechnics / fireworks display form. As well as explosives and fireworks, licences must be issued for things such as asbestos removal, demolition work, and other high risk work activities. As well as gaining the respective licence, WorkCover must be notified if someone is undertaking any of the following activities : asbestos removal demolition work fireworks displays importation or export of explosives or security sensitive dangerous substances lead risk work operating a Major Hazard Facility ( MHF ) under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 storage of dangerous goods using carcinogenic substances at a place of work Medical and health care Allied health providers Allied health providers contribute significantly to improved health and also return to work outcomes for injured workers. All allied health providers have to abide by administrative procedures proposed by WorkCover. Chiropractors, exercise physiologists, hearing service providers, independent consultants, osteopaths, physiotherapists, psychologists and counsellors, and remedial massage therapists are all subject to these requirements. Law and policy WorkCover is responsible for the administration and enforcement of compliance with occupational health and safety, management of workplace injury and workers compensation legislation it also manages the workers compensation system. Acts Acts are legislation created by parliament. WorkCover administers several acts as its main statutory function. These include : Explosives Act, 2003 ( NSW ) Occupational Health and Safety Act, 2000 ( NSW ) Rural Workers Accommodation Act, 1969 ( NSW ) Sporting Injuries Insurance Act, 1978 ( NSW ) Workers Compensation Act, 1987 ( NSW ) Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act, 1998 ( NSW ) Workers Compensation ( Bush Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services ) Act, 1987 ( NSW ) Workers ' Compensation ( Dust Diseases ) Act, 1942 ( NSW ) Codes of practice WorkCover uses industry codes of practice in order to achieve industry standards. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 2000, codes of practice may be made under approval of the Minister for Finance and Services. Whilst not legislation, the codes of practice should be observed. Employers, workers, designers, manufacturers and suppliers should follow the codes of practice in accordance with the legislation and associated regulations. A person can not be prosecuted for not observing codes of practices. If there is an offence under the Act, the breach of the codes of conduct can be used as evidence. Fraud WorkCover helps to minimise the impact of fraud by a company 's employers, workers and / or service providers. WorkCover may assist with investigations into suspected fraudulent activities. Fraudulent acts for employers may be failing to pass on workers compensation benefits to the workers and / or supplying false or misleading information to obtain a policy. Fraudulent acts for workers may be claiming their injury occurred at work when it actually happened playing sport or another activity undergone in their own time. Fraudulent acts for service providers may be for submitting fraudulent invoices or providing false information. Regulations A regulation is law and, as such, employers, workers, insurers, designers, manufacturers, suppliers and others must meet their obligations under both the legislation and the regulations. WorkCover administer several regulations : Dangerous Goods ( Gas Installations ) Regulation 1998 ( NSW ) Dangerous Goods ( Road and Rail Transport ) Regulation 2009 ( NSW ) Explosives Regulation 2005 ( NSW ) Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 ( NSW ) Sporting Injuries Insurance Regulation 2009 ( NSW ) Workers Compensation ( Bush Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services ) Regulation 2007 ( NSW ) Workers ' Compensation ( Dust Diseases ) Regulation 2008 ( NSW ) Workers Compensation Regulation 2010 ( NSW ) Standards Australian standards outline safety requirements and give guidance to people working in certain areas or people that use certain equipment. When incorporated into legislation these standards become legally binding. Under NSW law, a variety of systems, equipment, products and materials must meet Australian Standards. The establishment of standards ensures that particular requirements are met. The requirements that are outlined are quality, performance, construction design, endurance time specificity, systems or processes and certain hazards and controls. Controversy In December 2005, the Independent Commission Against Corruption found that 23 WorkCover employees had issued false certificates of competency, which ICAC states significantly undermined workplace safety on building sites. ICAC further states that systemic corruption risks were exposed by the incident : ( The ICAC ) identified a number of deficiencies such as sharing of logon details and passwords, lack of supervision and controls in approving and printing certificates of competency, and lack of reconciliation between certificates issued and applicant fees. In 2002, a New South Wales parliamentary committee criticized the WorkCover Authority. 2012 legislation In 2012 a new Act, Regulations and Codes of Practice was enacted. The revised legislative instruments aimed at providing rights for health and safety to everyone in the workplace as well as providing them the opportunity to give their opinion of their workplaces ' health and safety practices without having to worry about speaking out about an issue. The legislation includes changes to the laws involving PCBU 's reasonably, control of hazardous work, plant and structure requirements, construction restrictions, labelling and classification of hazardous chemicals and a few changes to those regarding mines. References ^ Jump up to : `` About us ''. WorkCover NSW. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 26 May 2014. Jump up ^ http://www.icare.nsw.gov.au/ Jump up ^ http://www.sira.nsw.gov.au/ Jump up ^ http://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/ Jump up ^ `` Work Health and Safety Act, 2011 ''. NSW Legislation. Jump up ^ `` What We Do ''. WorkCover Authority of New South Wales. Government of New South Wales. 23 June 2003. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 26 June 2008. Jump up ^ Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 ( NSW ), section 41 Jump up ^ `` Our structure ''. WorkCover Authority of New South Wales. Government of New South Wales. 4 July 2003. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 26 June 2008. Jump up ^ Occupational Health and Safety Act, 2000 ( NSW ) 2 of part 5. html s Division 2 of part 5 Jump up ^ Occupational Health and Safety Act, 2000 ( NSW ) 6. html s Part 6 Jump up ^ `` Health and safety ''. WorkCover Authority of New South Wales. Government of New South Wales. ^ Jump up to : `` Insurance and premiums ''. ^ Jump up to : `` Injuries and claims ''. WorkCover Authority of New South Wales. Government of New South Wales. Jump up ^ `` Work Cover : How Does it All Work ? ''. Compensation Connection. ^ Jump up to : `` Licensing ''. Jump up ^ `` Medical and healthcare ''. WorkCover Authority of New South Wales. Government of New South Wales. Jump up ^ `` Law and policy ''. WorkCover Authority of New South Wales. Government of New South Wales. ^ Jump up to : `` ICAC finds 23 corrupt in WorkCover licensing fraud ''. Independent Commission Against Corruption. 14 December 2005. Archived from the original on 11 December 2007. Retrieved 2008 - 06 - 26. Jump up ^ `` Article : WorkCover Authority `` lacks power '' ``. The Australian Financial Review. Australasian Business Intelligence. 17 September 2002 Copyright. Retrieved 28 March 2010. Check date values in : date = ( help ) ^ Jump up to : `` New legislation 2012 ''. YouTube. 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Sydney Catchment Authority ) Cobar Water Board Crown Lands Division Dams Safety Committee Farrer Memorial Trust Forestry Corporation of NSW Game Council Hunter Water Corporation New South Wales Office of Water NSW Food Authority NSW Rural Assistance Authority Soil Conservation Service Sydney Water Corporation Veterinary Practitioners Board Water NSW Industry, Innovation and Investment Arts NSW Art Gallery Trust Australian Museum Trust Casino Control Authority Casino, Liquor and Gaming Authority Chief Scientist and Engineer Club Industry Advisory Council Destination New South Wales Bookmakers Revision Committee Greyhound and Harness Racing Regulatory Authority Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority Library Council of New South Wales Liquor Administration Board Liquor Industry Consultative Council Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences New South Wales Film and Television Office New South Wales Innovation Council New South Wales Lotteries New South Wales Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing New South Wales Small Business Development Corporation Responsible Gambling Fund Screen NSW Sydney Opera House Trust Resources and Energy Ausgrid Coal Compensation Review Tribunal Coal Mining Qualifications Board Delta Electricity Eraring Energy Endeavour Energy Essential Energy Macquarie Generation New South Wales Coal Compensation Board NSW Mine Subsidence Board TransGrid Planning and Environment Barangaroo Delivery Authority Blue Mountains Development Corporation Building Professionals Board Central Coast Development Corporation Cooks Cove Development Corporation Greater Sydney Commission Hunter Development Corporation Joint Regional Planning Panels Landcom Office of the Commissioners of Inquiry for Environment and Planning Planning Assessment Commission Redfern Waterloo Authority Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority Sydney Metropolitan Delivery Authority Urban Design Advisory Council UrbanGrowth NSW Environment and Heritage Office of Environment and Heritage Anzac Memorial Building Trustee Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust Environment Protection Authority Environmental Trust Hazardous Chemicals Advisory Committee Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust Lord Howe Island Board Luna Park Reserve Trust Marine Parks Authority New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service Natural Resources Commission NSW Scientific Committee Parramatta Park Trust Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust Sustainability Programs Division Sydney Living Museums Taronga Conservation Society Western Sydney Parklands Trust WSN Environmental Solutions Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales Local Government Office of Local Government Local Government Boundaries Commission Local Government Grants Commission Local Government Remuneration Tribunal Transport Independent Transport Safety Regulator Newcastle Port Corporation NSW Trains Office of Transport Safety Investigations Port Authority of New South Wales Port Kembla Port Corporation Public Transport Ticketing Corporation RailCorp Rail Infrastructure Corporation Roads & Maritime Services State Transit Authority Sydney Ferries Sydney Metro Authority Sydney Ports Corporation Sydney Trains Transport for NSW WestConnex Delivery Authority Treasury Liability Management Ministerial Corporation Long Service Corporation NSW Treasury Corporation ( TCorp ) Office of Industrial Relations Residual Business Management Corporation SAS Trustee Corporation State Rail Authority Residual Holding Corporation Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WorkCover_Authority_of_New_South_Wales&oldid=801289496 '' Categories : Workers ' compensation Government agencies of New South Wales Hidden categories : CS1 errors : dates Use dmy dates from February 2013 Use Australian English from February 2013 All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from May 2014 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 18 September 2017, at 20 : 25. 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Question: what is the role of work cover nsw
Answer: creates regulations to promote productive, healthy and safe workplaces for workers and employers in New South Wales