Community Services

Community services workers play a vital role assisting others, often in challenging circumstances.  

The sector provides a wide range of services to the Victorian community in more than 6,500 workplaces across the state.  

The risks involved are many and varied, depending on the types of services provided, the geographic location and the clients that are being cared for.

This guide will help you understand the risks of working in community services, and will explain what you need to do to make your workplace safer.

WorkSafe Prevention fund - Community services OHS framework

Through the WorkSafe Prevention fund, an integrated OHS framework for the Community Services sector has been developed for 2008-2010 consisting of the following separate but related elements:

• Provision of OHS Champions in 3 key community service peak bodies to provide direction, leadership and support to the community service sectors of disability, children’s services, and children and family services
• Extension of the Small Business Assistance Service to two community services sectors – neighbourhood houses and mental health services
• Provision of equipment to eliminate or reduce manual handling risks for all community service sectors

For more information about these projects see the prevention fund, contact the Prevention Fund Manager on (03) 9641 1682 or email preventionfund@worksafe.vic.gov.au