Statutory reporting requirements

All disposals of historical material during 2018–19 were made under section 9A of the Museum Act, which permits disposal of historical material not in the National Historical Collection. The items disposed of formed part of the following collections:

• AMP Olympic Torch Relay collection
• Brewarrina Aboriginal Cultural Museum collection
• Bruce Stancombe collection
• Bushranger memorabilia collection
• Ellestan Dusting collection
• Garrett and Smith collection
• Heavy Horse Heaven collection
• Kenmore Hospital Museum collection
• Mark Henderson collection
• Mike Smith collection
• Neville Locker collection.

Objects are carefully assessed and disposed of for a number of different reasons, such as being duplicates, no longer required following an exhibition, or of little historical value. This year, the methods of disposal included returning to donor (Bruce Stancombe, Mark Henderson and Mike Smith collections), transfer to the Museum’s Conservation, Education or Library teams for training or other uses (Bushranger memorabilia, Garrett and Smith, Kenmore Hospital Museum and Neville Locker collections) and, in some cases, destruction (AMP Olympic Torch, Brewarrina Aboriginal Cultural Museum, Ellestan Dusting and Heavy Horse Heaven collections).

Promoting a healthy and safe workplace

The Museum values the health and safety of all workers (which includes volunteers, contractors and staff) and its visitors. The Museum proactively manages health and safety issues within the existing Work Health and Safety (WHS) management systems, with a strong emphasis on promoting safety awareness for our workers, volunteers and contractors.

Key initiatives and outcomes during 2018–19 included:

• coordinating and participating in the Comcare WHS Management System Audit (30 criteria), with an outcome of 87 per cent conformance
• reviewing and improving the WHS management framework, including the development of new WHS policies and procedures, education of staff, implementing practical controls to mitigate risks and minimise the potential for incidents to occur and meeting compliance requirements
• continuing to review public event and operational risk management plans and contractors’ safety management plans, in consultation with Museum stakeholders
• monitoring the Lead Dust Management Plan
• a notable reduction in the Museum’s workers’ compensation premium.

WHS capability development in 2018–19 included training staff in counselling; responsibilities of supervisors, WHS committee members and Health and Safety representatives; behaviours that influence a safety culture; forklift operations; manual handling; physical and mental health first aid; mental health in the workplace; fire extinguisher operations for wardens; safety in design; white card training; and WHS due diligence, risk management and contractor management.

The Museum continued to promote healthy lifestyle initiatives through participation in the ACT Government Healthier Work Program. Some activities included the flu vaccination program, annual health checks, information awareness sessions and staff-led yoga and meditation sessions.

In 2018–19, the Museum received a total of 142 incident and hazard reports relating to visitors, employees, contractors and volunteers. The incident reports consisted of 53 incidents for which no injury occurred, 83 minor injuries (first-aid treatment only) and six moderate injuries (medical treatment and/or time off work required). No serious injuries were recorded and no notifiable incidents or dangerous occurrences were reported to Comcare.

In accordance with section 516A of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the Museum reports annually on its activities in the context of their effect on the environment and the principles of ecologically sustainable development.

Monitoring consumption

The Museum is committed to the conservation of natural resources through ongoing improvements to its energy management program and implementation of other initiatives aimed at minimising its environmental impact. It does this by monitoring and adjusting energy consumption in the building’s thermal and mechanical plant and environmental systems to establish seasonal patterns of consumption that inform energy targets and identify possible efficiencies to achieve energy savings.

This year, the Museum:

• replaced electric with adiabatic humidifier systems
• replaced four aged cooling towers
• extended contracts to monitor and log electrical, gas and water consumption meters with an external reporting agency (Schneider Electric).

The Museum’s Property Operations team, in conjunction with the National Capital Authority, undertook a review of water consumption and metering across Acton Peninsula during the year. As a result, the Museum has proposed that the National Capital Authority more accurately attribute water consumption costs to other water users on the peninsula.

Energy sources

The Museum participates in the ACT cultural agencies natural gas contract (Origin) because of the superior efficiencies achieved through whole-of-government energy contracts. Likewise, the Museum and other government entities participate in a Department of Defence electricity supply contract (ActewAGL), which means that 10 per cent of the electricity provided is ‘green energy’ from renewable sources.

Recycling

The Museum continues to prioritise waste recycling and the use of recycled materials (e.g. toilet paper and hand towels), with approximately 30 per cent of all waste being recycled, including paper products, toner cartridges, glass and plastic bottles, lightbulbs, batteries, nitrile gloves, and cooking and motor oils.

In accordance with reporting requirements contained in section 311A of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, the Museum annually reports expenditure on advertising and market research, as summarised in the table below.

Note: In accordance with section 311A(2) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, only payments over $13,800 are reported.