OHS–Occupational Health & Safety

What is OHS?

OHS is about the health, safety and welfare of all people in the workplace.

Legal framework

The OHS Act 2000 and OHS Regulation 2001 constitute the main legislative framework for injury prevention in the workplace.

The purpose of the Act and Regulation is to ensure workplace health and safety with an emphasis on risk management and consultation.

Duties of employers

The employer is responsible for: maintaining places of work, under the employer’s

control, in a safe condition and ensuring safe entrances and exits

making arrangements to ensure the safe use, handling, storage and transport of plant and substances

providing and maintaining systems of work and working environments that are safe and without risks to health

providing the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure health and safety at work

providing adequate facilities for the welfare of employees

ensuring consultation with employees

Duties of employees

Employees must: take reasonable care for the health and

safety of themselves and others at the workplace

cooperate with their employer to enable compliance with the OHS legislation.

Everyone at the workplace must: not interfere with or misuse items provided

for health, safety and welfare purposes not hinder aid to an injured worker not disrupt the workplace by creating

health or safety fears.

OHS consultation

Consultation arrangements should:

Provide for the sharing of relevant OHS information between employers and employees

Provide opportunities for employees to express their views about OHS issues

Ensure employees’ views are taken into account prior to decisions being made regarding health and safety

When to consult

Consultation is required when: Risks to health and safety are assessed or

reviewed Decisions are being made about measures to be

taken to eliminate or control risks Introducing or altering the procedures for

monitoring risks Decisions are made about the adequacy of staff

welfare facilities Changes are proposed to the workplace, system of

work and substances used for work Decisions are made about consultation arrangements

How to consult

Consultation may be undertaken by any one or more of

the following:

OHS committee OHS representative Other agreed arrangement

Consultation also occurs in other workplace forums

such as staff meetings, team and committee meetings.

Consultation arrangements at this workplace

What are the consultation arrangements at this workplace?

Where relevant, who is the OHS committee or OHS representative?

Where can a copy of the OHS consultation statement be found?

Identify hazardsIdentify hazards

Assess risksAssess risks

Eliminate or control risksEliminate or control risks Mon

itor

and

Rev

iew

Con

sult

and

Com

mun

icat

e

Risk management process

safety inspections

task analysis

complaints

staff meetings

regular maintenance requests

consultation

observation

records of injury, illness and near-miss records

Possible ways to identify hazards?

Hazard identification

Reporting hazards

How are hazards reported?

Who do I report hazards to?

Consider what might happen

Sev

erit

y

Likelihood

Assess the risk

Controls should be considered in the following order: Eliminate the hazard Substitute the hazard Isolate the hazard Use engineering controls Use administrative controls Use personal protective equipment

Hierarchy of controls

Injury management

If you are injured at work: Notify the employer/workplace manager Complete the register of injuries Consult a doctor where necessary Authorise the doctor to provide relevant information to GIO and DET

Participate in a return to work plan

Staff Welfare

Staff Support Officers

Employee Assistance Program

First Aid

First aid procedures

Location of first aid kits

First aid officer(s)

Emergency procedures

Emergency evacuation procedures at this workplace

Further information

Fact sheets available on a range of risks

OHS-related enquiries: Ask your principal Contact your Staff Support Officer

Access information via the OHS webpage http://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/adminandmanage/ohands/index.htm