A Friday Note - 28 October 2016

Dear all

It has been much brighter on the weather front this week, a welcome change.

SAFETY

Most of you are aware that I take safety pretty seriously. As a survivor of road trauma I have been one of the lucky few. In recent weeks, we have seen even more dreadful fatalities on our roads. The executive has been considering its leadership position in this discussion for some time. I understand there has been significant departmental consultation.

Accordingly, I want to outline some further key safety leadership initiatives the department as expert advisors on safety and road safety are proposing.

On our roads there are some key issues:

Fatigue – we didn’t need two men to drive from Adelaide to Kimba for road works. They crashed due to fatigue (but were okay). We can redesign the way we work. So too for our staff generally. If tired, stop or even rethink the plan. Whatever you do, never drive for more than two hours without a break.

Drugs and alcohol – you may be aware that the Rail Commissioner and his staff are regularly tested on a random basis while on duty. It is proposed to roll this program out across the department as a zero tolerance policy from 1 January 2017. This will be done in a staged process with continuing staff consultation.

Speed – we are asking you to think and act differently. Safe mobility does not have to be a discussion about safety versus mobility. It is proposed that our staff limit maximum driving speeds to 100 km/h on the black stuff and 80 km/h on the dirt while on duty, and always drive to the conditions. Worth considering in your own time as well. Think about your level of training, too.

Distraction – existing policy prohibits all staff from using mobile phones (including hands-free) while operating any vehicle.

As part of Safe Work Month, Field Services has developed a campaign to highlight the fact that our road workers are real people with real families who want to return home safe at the end of every day. In an effort to spread this message to the public, we are using new signs within work zones.

Traffic controllers have already noticed a positive change in driver behaviour. I would welcome your feedback generally.

ROAD WORKS

Our department’s new road works schedule is now live on the internet. It is another valuable tool to inform our customers. Please take a look here.

UNIFORM

The department’s uniform policy and guidelines have been approved. They have been drafted to promote consistency across the department and a professional, recognisable, customer-focused image to the public. The procurement team will provide more details as the project progresses through to final supplier selection and when a formal start date has been agreed.

STAFFING

Brian Roche will be performing Jon Whelan's role while Jon is undertaking a development opportunity over the next month.

Congratulations to Martin Green, from the Ministerial Correspondence area, who is leaving today after 40 years of great service to DPTI.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

DPTI is recruiting for the Undergraduate Vacation Employment Program, a fantastic opportunity for undergraduate university students to complete paid work experience for 12 weeks over the summer break.  More information here.

HEALTH

The department is starting a partnership with BreastScreen SA as part of a new wellbeing program for women’s health. The Rose Clinic, basement level, David Jones, Rundle Mall performs the screens. Appointments take approximately 5-10 minutes but you will need to arrive 15 minutes prior to complete paperwork.

RIP IT UP

Next Monday, a workshop will be held involving relevant staff across DPTI to progress the Rip It Up initiative which aims to help make SA the best place to do business. Representatives from DPC and Service SA will provide guidance and support on how we as a department can successfully reduce the number and length of our customer and business facing forms, as well as transforming them into more user friendly forms available online.

FORUM

It was a pleasure to attend the Aboriginal Network Forum which invites all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff across DPTI to get together for workplace learning, professional development and networking. It has become an important event as it gives everyone an opportunity to collaborate in one place at the same time.

WELL DONE

The APY Waste and Landfill Program is finalising one of its major stages - the clean-up and construction of new landfill sites across the region’s communities in the far north.

It has been a great partnership between the Office of Local Government (OLG) and the project delivery team. OLG undertook extensive consultation with communities and traditional owners regarding the positioning of new landfill sites and the production of signage in both English and Pitjantjatjara.

The final stage will focus on raising community awareness around litter and waste disposal, as well as investigating recycling and resource recovery opportunities.

DID YOU KNOW?

Many of our meeting and conference rooms have been named to respect and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

Have a good weekend

Michael Deegan