National Safety Manager – Borg Group of Companies

July 2010 to August 2011

Develop and write an OHS Management system in line with AS / NZS 4804 and 4801 that encompasses all Borg Companies around Australia and involves manufacturing, construction, logistics, warehousing, chemical manufacture and distribution centres.

Develop a Borg Hazard Register to prioritise risks and as a planning tool for the development of safe operating procedures and implementation of safe systems of work.

Develop site registers for hazardous substances, dangerous goods, electrical and high risk plant and identify plant required to be item registered and train employees in understanding hazard and risk management.

Train all Managers and supervisors in understanding OHS Legislation and their management and leadership responsibilities in an OHS Management System.

Develop and run emergency planning and evacuation procedures.

Mentor and train four OHS coordinators in legislation and its application to support their theory based Cat .4 OHS certificates.

Provide advice and support in the registration of a Major Hazard Facility.

Introduce and implement an electronic OHS and Workers compensation Management System called Data Station.

Manage and investigate serious incidents and liaise with the regulators and legal firms.

Undertake internal audits including the Heavy Duty Driver Fatigue Management System.

Private Consultant and Licenced Private Enquiry Agent

July 07 to June 2010 and Covering the areas of:

OHS Safe Systems, Risk Management, Audits, Investigations, Training, Emergency Planning, Fraud Prevention, Consultation, Hazardous Substances, Dangerous Goods, High Risk Plant, Working Environment, Safety Culture, Management Responsibility, Workers Compensation & Injury Management, Legislation.

Working with Associates: IMAC Safety Systems, Safetybuild Pty Ltd, Barry Austin & Associates, John Owens & Associates, Graham Brown & Associates

Recently providing long term consultancy services to a large National / International steel making group One Steel in the areas of Audits (to Self Insurer standard) and hazard & risk training , to a large International Cosmetic Company Proctor & Gamble on guarding, employee consultation, industrial sabotage, risk management, hazardous substances/ dangerous goods and compliance with Inspectors notices. Provide consultancy advice to Glouster Coal on the implementation of an OHS Management System and carry out audits for Hunter Water to ensure their contractors were compliant with Public Works construction standards.

Other recent work has been giving general advice on Legislation, working in Construction and Demolition / Asbestos removal industry preparing appropriate safe work method statements, identification and advice on the dangers of mould, preparing operational procedures, audits of tag out and lockout systems and training in hazard identification and risk assessment. I have also carried out a risk assessment for a body corporate on their OHS and public risks.

Team Manager – Plant (policy & programs) Team

WorkCover NSW – Gosford Office
Feb 2005 – July2007

Manager of professional, specialist staff ( engineers, hygienists, ergonomists, project officers, State Coordinators ) and Inspectors involved in both operational and policy and program development at State and National level –

1. Plant Mechanical – high risk plant such as boilers & pressure vessels, gas cylinders, lifts, building maintenance units, hoists, scaffold, vehicle hoists & amusement devices.

2. Plant Structural Civil – High-risk plant such as tower cranes, gantry cranes, bridge cranes, mobile cranes, elevating work platforms & workboxes.

3. Electrical – electrical matters related to working environment, working near power lines, underground facilities, lifts & amusement devices.

4. Working Environment – matters involving noise, fall prevention, space, lighting, heat & cold, ventilation, atmosphere, confined spaces, emergency planning, hazardous substances, slips, trips and falls and manual handling.

5. Asbestos & Demolition – verification and compliance with licensing and permit systems.

6. Psychosocial – matters concerning bullying, fatigue, drugs and stress.

Plan policy and strategies for compliance and enforcement in these areas through advisory, educational and intervention programs and projects.
Design, Implement and drive WorkCover’s audit and verification program in the areas of high-risk plant in Construction Industry, Asbestos/Demolition, Lifts, Load Shifting equipment and Pressure Vessels ( including LPG ).

Represent WorkCover as State representative when dealing with other State regulators (including Mineral Resources and EPA) and / or Industry Associations( MBA, HIA etc )

Chair Industry Group meetings.

Provide advice to General Manager, CEO and Minister on Legislation and its implementation.

Provide expert advice for Inspectorate, other Government Departments, WorkCover Advisory Centre and provide specialist training to Mineral Resources Inspectors on OHS Legislation.

Manage budget of approximately $12m with staff in locations remote from head office.

Team Manager – Statewide Programs Team

WorkCover NSW – Gosford
Feb 2004 – Feb 2005

Manager of Project Officers and Administration staff in the development of policy related to intervention and compliance with the OHS Act, program and project planning to address identified Occupational Health and Safety Division priorities.

Manage the “new “licensing branch – implement Fraud prevention in line with ICAC directions.

Provide program support and advice on OHS, Workers Compensation and Injury Management practices through the review and analysis of information and data including the reporting on national and international trends and ideas.

Manage WorkCovers OHS publications such as codes of practice and hazard alerts.

Manage Budget of around $30m.

Develop and implement policy with regard licencing, assessors and external trainers.

Team Manager – Country North

WorkCover NSW – Newcastle Office
Oct 1991 – Feb 2004

Manage the Field operations of 63 staff including Inspectors, Project Officers and administrative officers across eight District Offices located in the North of NSW.

Lead Regional seminars and conferences involving OHS, Workers Compensation and Injury Management legislation and Industry best practice.
Represent WorkCover on the Emergency Management Planning Committee for North NSW including all matters related to the handling, storage and transport of Dangerous Goods and the local planning related to public safety at major hazard facilities.

Represent WorkCover on the “All of Government Premiers planning committees for North NSW”

Coordinate and manage all field investigations and prosecutions (OHS and Workers Compensation) for WorkCover for matters that occurred in North NSW including events involving the NSW Police and NSW Coroner.

Undertake client services including pro-active information/seminar sessions on high risk industry ( construction etc ) and high risk activities ( hazardous substances, asbestos, diving etc ).

Represent and lead various Industry and Community OHS Committees.

Supervise internal fraud prevention and administrative compliance for 8 District Offices.

Administer $14 regional budget and implement an Audit Program for internal systems.

Make final recommendations on prosecution, fines and Inspectors Notices.

Coordinate investigations and inspections on mining leases not gazetted as a Mine.

Provide resources and information to COMCARE and Department of Immigration as required.

Represent NSW on cross border issues related to Building and Construction including the cross training of Construction Inspectors from Queensland and NSW.

Manage all matters related to Construction and high risk work including the training of Country North Inspectors and the cooperation with Department of Commerce in these matters.

Special Officer – Victoria Police ( SES position )

Victoria Police Service & Minister for Emergency Services – Melbourne
Sept 1990 – Sept 1991

Seconded from the Department of Labour for one year to set up the Major Fraud Crime Squad as part of a partnership with the National Crime Authority. Responsibility was to Recruit professional experts in accounting, law and IT systems, induct the new Commander of the squad into requirements of public sector administration and Industrial Relations and then work with him to find unobtrusive accommodation and the specialised IT hardware / software and other resources that was needed by the Unit.

Investigate ways, and make recommendations on ways to reduce the high injury rate within the Victorian Police force and reduce both the number and cost of claims on the Workers Compensation System.

Review and recommend changes to the OHS Management Systems within the Police Force and implement a risk management approach.

Reporting for both assignments was to the CEO of the Department of Emergency Services and the Chief Commissioner of Police.

Regional Manager – Department of Labour, Victoria

Dandenong and Melbourne CBD
Aug. 1980 – Sept 1990

Manage offices in Dandenong and then Melbourne CBD – up to 65 staff in each with responsibilities in compliance and enforcement of Occupational Health & Safety, Industrial Relations, Apprenticeship, Dangerous Goods and licensing legislation.

Assume the responsibility of Chief Inspector for Lifts, Boilers & Pressure Vessels, Dangerous Goods and Construction during the change over phase from prescriptive legislation to the performance based OH&S legislation.

Manage the specialist units and Inspectors for Construction and Lifts and assume responsibility for managing compliance with large Construction projects in the CBD.

Manage the compliance and performance of the Chemical and Gas Industry facilities (major hazard facilities) situated on the wharfs and inner city locations around Footscray and Altona.

Manage the Industrial Relations Inspectorate in these offices involved in compliance with award conditions, Apprentice program, overseas workers and Industrial disputes before the Commission.

Appear for Department of Labour in the Industrial Relations Commission of Court when required.

Unit Manager – Department of Education, Victoria

1979 – 1980

Manage specialist job creation project team involved in the placement of long term unemployed youth, who had left school early, back into clerical and teacher aid positions within the primary and secondary school system.

Develop policy and programs within this framework.

Audit and report on both social and monetary outcomes of the program to the Assistant General Manager.

Regional Coordinator – Department of Labour, Victoria

1976 – 1979

Develop regional and state-wide job creation projects, using community groups, for long term and disable unemployed.

Plan and implement land works and construction projects with Local Government using job creation funds.

Work with Community and Regional Committees on economic mapping and development initiatives including workers cooperatives and local government sponsored small business.

Audit and report on any project funded for financial compliance and income accountability.

Employment Officer – Commonwealth Employment Service

1968 – 1976

Youth Officer – careers and employment advice to secondary students still in school.

Special Officer – employment placement officer for disabled job seekers.

Project Officer – assist in the design and preparation of the first careers guide.

Job Placement officer – general job placement duties including field work with employers.

ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT

Hawthorn Football Club – 1981 – 1991

Recruitment officer and assist in the development of elite athletes (work with and when required coach the u/15 Eyre’s development squad)

Australian Football League – NSW / ACT – 1991 – 2009

Developing and presenting level 1 & level 2 coaching courses and working with AFL Development officer in parent & coach education for AusKick participants.

Recruitment and junior player development assessments for Melbourne AFL Club as required.

Office of Member – Combat Sports Authority NSW – 2009 – 2011

Appointed by Minister of Sport & Recreation to the Authority with a role of exercising the functions of the Combat Sports Act 2008 including the promotion of safe conduct of combat sports in NSW and the responsibilities of a combat sports inspector.