The Industry Reference Groups (IRGs) were established in 1999, and are convened by WorkCover. The IRGs are made up of key industry stakeholders who work with government to develop strategies for improving workplace health and safety, injury management and workers compensation performance.
The groups consist of:
- employer and worker representatives from industry
- industry specialists with expertise in occupational health and safety, injury management and workers compensation
- officers from WorkCover representatives from the insurance industry.
IRGs were established because employers and workers with first-hand knowledge of their workplaces are in a good position to identify emerging issues and develop effective strategies relevant to their particular industry. These relationships are voluntary and indicative of the commitment of our stakeholders to achieving improvements in OHS, workers compensation and injury management for their industries.
There are currently 11 IRGs operating in NSW. They represent:
- business services
- consumer services
- construction
- government administration and education
- health and community services
- manufacturing
- retail
- rural
- transport and storage
- utilities
- wholesale.