OFSC accreditation scheme data shows encouraging results

The Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner has produced a report based on data collected for the July to December 2008 biannual reporting period. The report provides a broad summary of the biannual report data collected, with comparisons to previous biannual report periods and to industry-wide data.

The Australian Government Building and Construction OHS Accreditation Scheme (the scheme) is growing rapidly, with the number of companies accredited under the scheme increasing by 85% in the 12 months since the December 2007 reporting period. A significant increase was also reported in the coverage of projects, with the number of government-funded projects captured by the scheme increasing by 145%.

Accredited companies are showing encouraging results on scheme projects in relation to their lost time injury frequency rates and medically treated injury frequency rates. However, while fatality incidence rates are falling and are significantly lower that the industry as a whole, further improvement in eliminating fatalities is required.

The reports are available on the Federal Safety Commissioner reports page of the website at www.fsc.gov.au.