Melbourne WHS Law agenda 2022

Exploring important changes to WHS law

• Reviewing recent changes to policy and closing gaps in critical knowledge
• Examining current trends and anticipating the next major shifts
• Preparing for upcoming new and amended legislation ahead of time
• Understanding variations in jurisdiction across states and how they impact your company

Ben Burke, Partner, Baker McKenzie

Managing the ongoing impacts of Covid-19 on WHS

• Exploring the current Covid-19 climate and the post-Covid future
• Understanding responsibility and liability inside and outside of traditional workplaces
• Facilitating a safer workplace for all through intelligent review of vaccination policy and other approaches
• Addressing the challenges of remote employees and decentralised workspaces

Catherine Dunlop, Partner, Maddocks

Adapting to WFH company dynamics and the “new normal” of remote work

• Conducting necessary risk assessment while observing employees’ right to privacy
• Recognising workers’ compensation risks and monitoring the boundaries of out-of-work behaviour
• Managing incidents that may arise in WFH environments
• Evaluating the latest statistics on WFH productivity

Shae McCartney, Partner, Clayton Utz

Managing employees’ psychological health and wellbeing in trying times

• Reviewing examples of best practice and considering the consequences of psychological injury
• Ensuring your psychologically vulnerable workers are adequately protected
• Recognising and reducing psychosocial hazards in traditional and WFH spaces
• Examining the emerging issues of mental health and recent innovations in the field
• Building robust RTW practices for psychological injured employees

Andrew Douglas, Managing Principal, FCW Lawyers

Integrating anti-bullying culture in your workplace to prevent sexual harassment and other forms of harmful behaviour

• Examining bullying and harassment law through a WHS perspective
• Recognising and reducing sexual harassment in the workplace, at work functions, and in out-of-work behaviour
• Acknowledging the limitations of current anti-bullying legislation and learning what can be done to account for these limitations
• Applying ‘reasonably practicable’ implementation in your workplace

Jon Lovell, Partner, Ashurst

Implementing effective and appropriate RTW practices

• Understanding your legal obligations and responsibilities
• Navigating issues of compliance after directions to RTW
• Developing practical strategies for managing individual employees’ needs and circumstances
• Recognising areas for improvement when reviewing RTW programs

Andrew Douglas, Managing Principal, FCW Lawyers

Afternoon tea

Understanding your WHS responsibilities and liabilities in contractor management

• Reviewing crucial details of law and exploring liability regarding contract work and labour hire
• Assessing risks and challenges associated with Covid-19
• Gaining insight into best practice and presenting potential areas of improvement
• Recognising potential WHS Act breaches pre-emptively and understanding the relationship between degree of oversight and liability
• Minimising liability through proactive involvement in the procurement process and ensuring robust contract design

Caitlin Ible, Senior Associate, Minter Ellison

Developing your understanding of industrial manslaughter to better protect your workplace from incidents

• Understanding the state of industrial manslaughter legislation in your jurisdiction
• Ensuring your directors and officers understand their duties to maintain safe workplaces
• Evaluating recent prosecutions, case studies, and current trends
• Understanding the legal burdens of proof and how to defend your position
• Planning an effective incident response programme

Steve Bell, Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills