Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-vvkck Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-25T07:23:58.441Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Challenging Environments of Injury Management in Construction and Coalmining in New South Wales

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 February 2012

Herbert C. Biggs  and
Donald P. Dingsdag
Herbert C. Biggs*
Affiliation:
Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Donald P. Dingsdag
Affiliation:
University of Western Sydney, Australia
*
School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Beams Rd, Carseldine, QLD4122, Australia. Email: h.biggs@qut.edu.au
Get access

Abstract

Workers' compensation and disability management in the hazardous occupations of mining and construction are ongoing concerns for employers, employees, insurers and governments. Rising insurance costs, options of self-insurance models, highly competitive tendering, legislative rigidities, and escalating costs of compensation, have contributed to industry practices for injured workers that are driven by cost containment strategies rather than benchmarked disability management processes. In this article a critical review of legislation, industry practices, and published reports is undertaken with a view to oudining the adequacy of current and planned services and practices to meet the needs of injured workers in both sectors. Attention is also given to industrial practices that contra-indicate quality disability management processes. The authors detail a number of industrial and organisational operating environments, which have arisen from legislative frameworks, financial constraints, and outdated disability management practices. They comment on the more recendy introduced legislation and offer comment on its potential to drive benchmark changes in the building and coalmining sectors. Finally, suggestions are provided for more contemporary approaches to the insurance framework and return to work facilitation for injured workers.

Type
Articles
Information
The Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling , Volume 9 , Issue 1 , January 2003 , pp. 40 - 51
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Akabas, S., Gates, L.B., & Galvin, D. (1992). Disability management. New York: AMACOM.Google Scholar
Austin, C.D., & McClelland, R.W. (1996). Perspectives on case management practice. Milwaulkee: Families International Inc.Google Scholar
Biggs, H.C. (2003, 10).Keeping up with the Jones's: The quest for professional relevance. Paper presented at the Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors National Conference, Manly Pacific Parkroyal, Manly, NSW.Google Scholar
Biggs, H.C. (1998). The development of an amended rehabilitation skills measure in an Australasian setting. Paper presented at the 11th Rehabilitation Asia and Pacific Regional Conference. Hong Kong Conference and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong. 23-28 08, 1998.Google Scholar
Biggs, H.C., & Flett, R.A. (1995). Rehabilitation counsellor competency studies: A review of praxis in a human service profession. Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling, 1, 1–12.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bohle, P., & Quinlan, M. (2000). Managing Occupational Health and Safety. South Yarra: Macmillan.Google Scholar
Carlton, M. (2001). Sydney Morning Herald, 21 04.Google Scholar
Dingsdag, D., & Gardner, D. (2001). Safety performance in coal mining: an examination of some underlying issues, Journal of Occupational Health and Safety, Australia New Zealand, 17(5).Google Scholar
Dingsdag, D., & Lee, H. (1999). “Avoiding Unnecessary Interference”: The Coal Fields Inspectorate in New South Wales and British Columbia 1854-1912. North American Mining History Journal.Google Scholar
CFMEU (1994). Out of the red into the black. Sydney: Author.Google Scholar
Dingsdag, D. (1989). The restructuring of the NSW coalmining industry, 1903-1982. PhD Thesis, Department of History and Politics, University of Wollongong, Australia.Google Scholar
Dingsdag, D. (1993). The Bulli Mining Disaster 1887: Lessons from the past. Sydney: St Louis Press.Google Scholar
Grellman, R. (1997). Inquiry into Workers' Compensation System in NSW: Final Report. Sydney: KPMG.Google Scholar
Habeck, R., Kress, M., Scully, S., & Kirschner, K. (1994). Determining the significance of the disability management movement for rehabilitation counsellor education. Rehabilitation Education, 8(3), 195–240.Google Scholar
Habeck, R.V., & Munrowd, D.C. (1987). Employer-based rehabilitation practice: An educational perspective. Rehabilitation Education, 1(2/3), 95–107.Google Scholar
Heads of Workers' Compensation Authorities. (1997). Promoting excellence: National consistency in Australian workers' compensation (Final and interim reports to Labour Minister's Council).Google Scholar
Hopkins, A. (1995). Making safety work, getting management commitment to occupational health and safety. Sydney: Allen & Unwin.Google Scholar
Hopkins, A. (1999). Managing major hazards: The lessons of the Moura Mine disaster. Sydney: Allen & Unwin.Google Scholar
Johnstone, R.(1997). Occupational health and safety law and policy. North Ryde: LBC.Google Scholar
Kendall, E., O'Neill, V., Murphy, P., & Bursnall, S. (2001). Occupational stress: Factors that contribute to its occurrence and effective management. Centre for Human Services: Griffith University, AustraliaGoogle Scholar
Kenny, D. (1995). Case management in occupational rehabilitation: Would the real case manager please stand up? The Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling, 1(2), 104–117.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kenny, D.T., & Jones, S. (1999). Improving injury management: Paradigms and practices. In Proceedings of Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors 4th National Conference. Coffs Harbour: ASORC.Google Scholar
Leahy, M., Chan, F., Shaw, L., & Lui, J. (1997). Preparation of rehabilitation counselors for case management practice in health care settings. The Journal of Rehabilitation, 63(3), 53–60.Google Scholar
Purse, K. (2000). Workers compensation, secondary disabilities and workplace safety incentives. Journal of Occupational Health and Safety, Australia, New Zealand, 16(1).Google Scholar
Rothman, J. (1991). A model of case management: Toward an empirically based practice. Social Work, 36(6), 520–528.Google Scholar
Shrey, D.E., & Lacerete, M. (1995). Principles and practices of disability management in industry. Florida: GR Press Inc.Google Scholar
Smith, D. (1997). Implementing disability management: A review of basic concepts and essential components. Employee Assistance Quarterly, 12(4), 37–49.Google Scholar
Westmoreland, M., & Buys, N. (2002). Disability management in a sample of Australian self-insured companies. Disability and Rehabilitation, 24, 746–754CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Winder, C., Dingsdag, D., & Dain, S. (1996). Prevention not reaction: Eye safety in the NSW coalmining industry. NSW: School of Safety Science, University of New South Wales.Google ScholarPubMed
WorkCover NSW. (2000). Statistical Bulletin 1998–99.Google Scholar
Workers' Compensation Act, NSW, 1987.Google Scholar
Workplace Injury Management and Workers' Compensation Act, NSW, 1998.Google Scholar