14 July 2009
Monash University has been selected to provide the research expertise for a new institute aimed at reducing workplace injury and improving outcomes for workplace and road accident victims.
The Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR) is a joint initiative between the University and government authorities WorkSafe Victoria and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). It will undertake vital research into injury prevention, compensation practice, and health and vocational rehabilitation.
ISCRR Acting CEO Alex Collie said Monash was selected for its research excellence.
"The institute will rapidly become an internationally recognised centre of excellence in this type of research and will confirm Monash as a world leader in this field," Dr Collie said.
"ISCRR aims to fill scientific gaps and the TAC and Worksafe have identified there is a need for additional intensive investigation in some areas. The institute will focus on research that will benefit people injured at work or on the road and will be closely linked to the priorities of WorkSafe and the TAC," Dr Collie said.
Monash Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish said the institute would strengthen the University's ties with the TAC and WorkSafe and provide an avenue for targeted studies.
"The institute will provide our researchers with many collaborative opportunities both here and abroad. It is an exciting partnership and one that builds on our track record of improving community safety through first class research.," Professor Cornish said.
The initiative was modelled, partly on institutions in Boston and Toronto where university-led research had assisted workplace authorities to reduce workplace injury, help injured workers return to work more quickly and, in some cases, improve the management of insurance premiums.
ISCRR Chairman, James MacKenzie, said Victoria had a strong record in innovation and accident prevention including the TAC's ground-breaking road safety campaigns and WorkSafe's innovative and proven approach to claims management, "The establishment of the institute takes this commitment to innovation one step further," he said.
"While both WorkSafe and the TAC have a proud record of operating effectively in their own fields, the history of similar schemes - both here and abroad - shows that if you stagnate, you risk perishing.
"There are significant challenges facing both organisations and the work undertaken by ISCRR will provide critical evidence to inform how they go about their respective businesses," Mr MacKenzie said.
Professor Cam Mustard, President of the Institute for Work and Health in Toronto, Canada, applauded the Victorian initiative.
"ISCRR joins a very small but important group of research institutes with such close links to government undertaking this important research," he said.
For more information contact Samantha Blair, Media and Communications + 61 3 9903 4841 or 0439 013 951.
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