Plans for a national occupational health and safety (OHS) system have merit, but uniformity itself won’t keep workers’ compensation premium costs down, according to broker OAMPS.

The company’s Employment Risk Solutions Manager, Brett Millar, says a uniform system will benefit businesses of all sizes, especially those that operate nationally, by reducing administrative costs and confusion around compliance and rehabilitation requirements.

But he says a strong risk management and insurance program is crucial to ensure the ongoing protection of all stakeholders and can lead to a reduction in workers’ compensation premium costs in the long term.

Mr Millar says there are often misconceptions about workcover being a tax, but in reality it is a controllable financial expense.

“WorkCover premiums are based on the prior history of claims made, so every dollar spent on claims costs count,” he said.

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