Ai Group’s Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) team has visited the Torres Strait for the first time, working with an organisation that has since become a member.
Trinette Jaeschke, National Manager - Work Health Safety Consulting Services, spent a week island-hopping to assist new member Gur A Baradharaw Kod Sea and Land Council Torres Strait Islander Corporation (GBK).
Among its many roles, GBK supports jobseekers with activities such as fishing, gardening, carpentry, arts and crafts and cultural activities such as spear-making.
The assignment took Ms Jaeschke to the islands of Waiben, Ngarupai, Mer, Saibai and Mua.
As well as carrying out a WHS Gap Analysis, she spent time coaching and mentoring some of the organisation’s new health and safety representatives and team.
“I went up there to review GBK’s site locations and reviewed their documented WHS systems,” Ms Jaeschke said.
“The outcome will be tailored action plans for each site and location — information, tools and resources — a strategic plan to assist the business to improve their safety activities.
“I was fortunate to speak to elders and staff to determine what their needs were and how the activities can help to improve their facilities.
“Working in a remote community where it’s difficult to obtain the trades to undergo regular repairs and maintenance is challenging. These obstacles the community is dealing with require some ‘out of the box’ thinking.
“It was an eye opener.”
Ms Jaeschke, who is no stranger to remote and isolated work having supported many mining members in WA, NT and QLD, spent much of her time coaching on the basics of safety to keep both GBK workers and jobseekers safe.
“They are presently empowering their workers to upskill in WHS, and it’s pleasing to see they have safety at the forefront of their minds,” she said.
“These are skills the workers in the field require, but they can be passed on to the jobseekers which will help them when they seek employment. If we can share our knowledge in-house around safety and what we need to do, they can then take that into their next job.
“Safety is fundamental and needs to be considered in every workplace.”
The trip filled Ms Jaeschke with wonder: meeting new and interesting people, visiting untouched islands with varied landscapes and even spotting turtles and a shiver of sharks (from the safety of her chartered plane) off Mer Island’s shoreline.
“I learnt a lot about the culture, and it was fascinating to hear the stories of elders about what their communities are doing,” she said.
“Every day was completely different, on and off chartered planes visiting different locations.
“I was fortunate to go to a place like Mer Island where visitors aren’t allowed; you need to obtain permits which must be approved before you arrive.”
An incident at an airport reinforced Ai Group’s message for workplaces to have adequate first aid training and equipment.
A passenger cut his head badly when he walked under the wing of a small, chartered plane, forcing Ms Jaeschke to spring into first aid mode on the second day of her trip.
“The plane didn’t have a first aid kit, so I had to send the pilot to the small terminal to find one,” recalls Ms Jaeschke, who had completed a refresher course only weeks earlier.
“I had to patch him up before we flew to Mer Island where there was a medical centre.”
Ms Jaeschke monitored her patient on the plane, and it was four hours before proper medical treatment could be obtained.
“It just shows how important it is that you are well kitted before you go out on site,” Ms Jaeschke said.
“I thought the plane would have a first aid kit. It’s a good lesson: don’t rely on other people to provide emergency equipment. Make sure you have your own.”
It’s also important to consider your destination’s climate when you travel for work.
“It was very hot, so it was more important than ever that we stayed hydrated,” Ms Jaeschke said.
“Keep in mind what your surroundings are going to be like and be prepared.”
The successful trip has led to GBK joining Ai Group in a move facilitated by Dean Deighton, Ai Group’s Regional Manager - North Queensland.
The introduction came from Noel Gertz, Managing Director of fellow indigenous organisation and Ai Group member, On Common Country.
“The GBK team were enthusiastic and engaged,” Ms Jaeschke said.
“They are passionate about what they do, so they were very happy about getting involved.”
Ai Group’s WHS team can support members right around the country — in metropolitan areas as well as more remote locations. We offer bespoke services and work with you to help get the outcomes you need.
Click here for more information on Ai Group’s WHS Gap Analysis services or email trinette.jaeschke@aigroup.com.au
Wendy Larter is Communications Manager at the Australian Industry Group. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a reporter, features writer, contributor and sub-editor for newspapers and magazines including The Courier-Mail in Brisbane and Metro, the News of the World, The Times and Elle in the UK.
