Data Source: CFA WORKSAFE EMPLOYEE & VOLUNTEER CLAIMS

Institutional Environment: Data Collector(s): Data are collected by Country Fire Authority (CFA).

Collection authority: The data are captured under the CFA Act 1958 s110, the CFA Regulations 2014, and the Workers Compensation Act 1958. CFA is bound by the Information Privacy Act 200 (Victoria), and data were collected in accordance with these principles to maintain confidentiality and privacy of the data provided.

Data Compiler(s): Data are collected by CFA which is a volunteer and community-based fire and emergency service organisation.

Additional information: CFA ensures data are securely maintained, and does not report identifiable information.

Relevance: Data topic: Data were collected on workers and volunteers injured while working for CFA.

Level of geography: • Data are available for CFA jurisdictions within the state of Victoria. • Any injuries that occur as a result of undertaking business for CFA inter-state or internationally are also captured.

Key Data Items: Data are available for: • CFA WorkSafe premium versus industry rate • Employee lost time claims • Standard employee claims • Employer claims with time loss of 13 weeks or greater

Numerator/Denominator Source: Workforce information to calculate rates was obtained from CFA employee and volunteer Human Resource records.

Additional information: • Data were captured to meet CFA's statutory obligations, and to monitor workforce injuries and trends • Standard classifications and coding frames were used to capture data. • Data are only included for reported compensable injuries. Those injuries that have not been reported, and near misses, are not included.

Timeliness: Data collected: Data are collected on an ongoing basis and reported as required.

Data available: Data are available as and when required.

Reference Period: The reference period is 2008-2015 financial years.

Additional information: Data may change following its release based on changes to injury status. For example, some claims may be ongoing and full data and costs relating to the claim many take many months (or years) to eventuate. Further, some claims may not be made until many years after an incident, for example in the case of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Accuracy: Method of Collection: Data were collected by a dedicated OH&S team at CFA, in conjunction with WorkSafe Victoria. All data are captured using a hard copy form and manually entered into the system. All subsequent processing is automated.

Data Adjustments: Data have been adjusted to aggregate and de-identify.

Collection size: The collection size varies depending on the data item.

Under Counts: There may be under counts relating to claims not yet made (e.g. in the case of PTSD claims) or claims not yet closed off.

Over Counts: There are no known issues with over counts.

Additional information: Data processing is automated to minimise processing errors. Standard procedures and coding manuals are used to minimise data entry errors.

Coherence: Consistency over time: The data are relatively consistent over time, however there are occasional changes to claims coding and descriptors.

Consistency of jurisdictions: Each State and Territory has its own legislation and processes relating to workers' compensation.

Numerator/denominator: The numerator is the number of injured workers at CFA and the denominator is the workforce as a whole. Any discrepancies would be minor with little impact.

There is a consistent time series for the data.

Additional information: These data are comparable with WorkSafe claims data.

Data collection has been relatively consistent since 1994, except for minor definitional changes.

Interpretability: Context: These data relate to both physical and psychological injury.

Other Supporting information: Further information on Workers' Compensation can be found on the WorkSafe Victoria website http://www.vwa.vic.gov.au/

Additional information: Technical terms are described on the WorkSafe Victoria website http://www.vwa.vic.gov.au/

Accessibility: No further data are available.

Contact details:

CFA Headquarters Address: 8 Lakeside Drive, Burwood East, Victoria Australia 3151 Postal Address: PO Box 701, Mount Waverley, Victoria Australia 3149 Telephone: +61(3) 9262 8444 Fax: +61 (3) 9264 6200

Additional information: • Data are available in an Excel spreadsheet.
• There are a number of privacy and confidentiality issues therefore all data have been aggregated and de-identified prior to release.