As part of this you must, so far as is reasonably practicable: The law requires employers to eliminate risks so far as is reasonably practicable. We publish a wide range of resources covering many work health and safety topics. This code applies to all types of work and all workplaces covered by the WHS Act. For assurance and learning activities, refer directly to the agency for further information. A worker can be prosecuted for failing to comply with their duties. Where required, participate in any established coordination networks to support operational response, Investigate the cause of workplace and work-related incidents including incidents in public places involving registered, licensed and prescribed equipment and at major public events where such equipment is involved in an incident including amusement structures and amusement rides. To show youre serious about work safety right from the start, this information should be included in the position description of all employees. The information on this site is of a general nature only. Question: Research the WHS authorities in your state or territory. policies and services for people of LGBTIQ communities and their We develop national policy and strategy about workers' compensation. HAZMAT transport requirements (e.g. Employer Responsibilities. We're prioritising the early identification of current and emerging occupational illness and disease such as asbestos and silicosis. Know your duties - a tool for working safely. Health and safety representative powers Health and safety representative training PCBU obligations to HSRs Provisional improvement notices (PINs) Worksafe Victoria, Dangerous Goods transporter maintenance, training, licensing, inspection etc. Answer the questions that were incorrect verbally. To do this you must: provide a safe work environment help duty holders, workers and representatives consult and coordinate on, promote and share information, tools and initiatives, including with other, WHS regulators and workers' compensation authorities contact information, Comparing workers' compensation in Australia, Workers' compensation for psychological injury, state or territory work health and safety authority. Employers are required by legislation to provide a working environment that is safe and as free as possible from health risks, including psychological as well as physical risks. Employ or engage people suitably qualified in OHS to advise you on employees health and safety. The goal of providing first aid is to prevent or reduce further health damage and to relieve suffering until the injured person can be . You must manage the risksto your workers, so far as is reasonably practicable,when they areworking from home. Natural and Cultural Heritage Rehabilitation, workplace fatalities and life threatening or serious injury, transport of dangerous goods and chemicals and high consequence dangerous goods and explosives, use, storage and handling of dangerous goods and chemicals and high consequence dangerous goods, reduction/substitution of HAZMAT use (including inventory minimisation), HAZMAT storage design and maintenance (including transport design). On 22 September 2021 Part 7 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 was amended to enable HSRs to take photographs or measurements or make sketches or recordings in certain circumstances. An officer can be prosecuted for failing to exercise due diligence. It does not take your specific needs or circumstances into consideration. Take reasonable care for your health and safety in the workplace. The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for implementing, regulating and enforcing WHS laws in their jurisdictions. Inspectors have powers to: enter, inspect and examine workplaces conduct investigations and enquiries take samples, photographs, records and measurements take possession of materials ask that the workplace be left undisturbed interview anyone at the workplace ask for assistance from anyone at the workplace WorkSafe Victoria is committed to safe and inclusive work places, Information for businesses about their rights and responsibilities under consumer laws in Western Australia. This is designed as an overview of the standards required under WHS laws. If you need help please contact yourstate or territory work health and safety authority. It is important to understand the health and safety requirements that apply to your type of business in order to correctly prepare for any accident or emergency. You can also promote awareness throughout your organisation by featuring WHS matters in the personal objectives and annual assessment of all employees. The person must also comply with, so far as they are reasonably able, any reasonable instruction that is given by thePCBUto comply with themodel WHS laws. Health and safety. A volunteer association is a business or undertaking if it employs one or more paid workers to carry out work. acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present. Regulators work together to implement national campaigns and ensure a consistent approach to compliance and enforcement across Australia. WorkSafe is Victoria's workplace health and safety regulator. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging. WorkSafe Victoria is committed to safe and inclusive work places, [6] WHS Act . We collect, analyse and publish data and information on work health and safety and workers' compensation. Work health and safety legislation requires you to: ensure safe systems of work ensure safe use and handling of goods and substances provide information, instruction, training and supervision to your workers to ensure they are safe assess risks and implement appropriate measures to manage and control them It is recommended to follow this checklist to minimize risk and prepare your workplace. Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and . We're making it easier for injured workers and employers to interact with us through better automation and online functionality. [5] WHS Act, section 32. Understand the powers of an HSR and an employers' obligations. the relation of WHS issues and systems in relation to that workplace, communication, consultation and negotiation skills, the WHS / OHS Act's and relevant regulations in their jurisdictions, the health and safety issue resolution process, the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) duties under WHS legislation and the concept of reasonable practicability, hazard identification and risk assessment processes, the role and functions of health and safety representatives and representatives of registered worker organisations, the role of WHS authority inspectors, their powers and issue resolution functions, ability to get access to expert technical information and advice from certified OHS professionals, take reasonable care for their own health and safety, take reasonable care for the health and safety of others who may be affected by their actions in the workplace, co-operate if the PCBU needs them to do something to comply with a legislative requirement, not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided at the workplace in the interests of health, safety or welfare, inform their company of any allergies or medical conditions that may impact on their health and safety, How to capture business benefits from a culture of consultation, The Business Benefits of Managing Occupational Health & Safety. HSRs have important functions that include things like: representing workers in their work group in health and safety matters; monitoring health and safety measures implemented by their company; investigating complaints from their work group relating to health and safety; and. Being 'Safe and Well Every Day' is the promise WorkSafe Tasmania makes to the Tasmanian community. Objectives should be specific, achievable and measurable, including: Any manager who represents your company for WHS needs to have the appropriate level of authority and competence required by the legislation. What is name of the WHS authority that regulates work health and safety in Victoria? They also share information, tools, and initiatives. Overwhelmed by the plethora Acts, Regulations, and Codes? This may include collecting, collating and/or analysing information for current and emerging risks and hazards before, during and after an incident, and providing consistent and meaningful impact assessment data through a coordinated process to decision makers, Engage with the lead coordinating agency to provide Workcover insurance advice, information and communication, Lead Response Support Agency (RSA) for the functional area of WorkSafe, Highlight employers in impacted areas who may require support with interim financial relief from premium payments and/or provision of information and advice or assisting their workers with submitting claims, Highlight injured workers in impacted areas who are currently in receipt of weekly benefits or other supports and facilitate other means of obtaining support if necessary, Ensure injured workers impacted by the emergency event are identified during the claims process to expedite provision of required supports and a timely response to their claim, Coordinate and collaborate with WorkSafe Agents, self-insurers and service providers as required to ensure continuity of service to the Victorian community. Everyone has a role in workplace health and safety. Find out how to meet your duties under work health and safety (WHS) laws. families. Review of the model Work Health and Safety lawsFinal Report. WORKSAFE VICTORIA/ WORKING SAFELY IN COMMUNITY SERVICES 1 Community services workers play a vital role in caring for our people and helping to maintain a quality of life expected in Australian society, often in challenging and confronting circumstances. Resolving health and safety issues and discrimination against HSRs. The Act is designed to provide a broad framework for improving standards of workplace health and safety to reduce work-related injury and illness. The Act also provides for Deputy HSRs to be elected in the same way as HSRs, and allow them to stand in for their HSRs when that person is not available. Workers' WHS duties Workers including employees, contractors, subcontractors, labour hire employees, outworkers, apprentices or volunteers have a duty to: take reasonable care for their own health and safety while at work take reasonable care to not adversely affect others' health and safety comply with reasonable instructions You must, so far as is reasonably practicable: provide and maintain a work environment that is without risk to the health and safety of workers, provide adequate and accessible facilities for the welfare of workers to carry out their work, give workers the necessary information, instruction,trainingor supervision to do their job safely and without risks to health, and. Each Australian state has its own WHS authority that oversees workplace OHS and workplace first aid. Information on applications, requirements, training and registrations for regulated industries. Mitigation Response (including Relief) Recovery Assurance and Learning Monitor conditions at the workplace under your management and control. This includes a good knowledge and understanding of: All workers are responsible for the WHS impact of their own actions. makes, or participates in making, significant decisions that affect the whole, or a substantial part, of the business, or. below I have copied what I have found so far, but has taken too much time. outcome-based objectives (eg, a reduction in the number of manual handling injuries). WorkSafe Victoria families. Back. Each jurisdiction has a regulator who monitors and enforces compliance with WHS laws. If you need help please contact yourstate or territory work health and safety authority. policies and services for people of LGBTIQ communities and their WorkSafe Victoria. the right to be consulted about safety in the workplace. Provide and maintain safe systems of work - for example, controlling entry to high-risk areas and providing systems to prevent falls from heights. WorkSafe Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Each jurisdiction has a regulator who monitors and enforces compliance with WHS laws. Return to work. SWA is not a regulator and cannot advise you about WHS issues in the workplace. Streamline your WHS processes with a strategic communication process. The Commonwealth, states and territories regulate and enforce WHS laws. Line managers are responsible for a specific area of your company, including WHS within that area. co-operate with reasonable policies and procedures. The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 contains sections that describe the responsibilities of: employers employees self-employed persons persons who have control of workplaces (e.g. | Learn more about Phillip Pavlidis's work . Role statement - WorkSafe Victoria (Victorian WorkCover Authority), Agency Roles and Responsibilities alignment to Victorian Preparedness Framework, Victorian Emergency Management Institute (VEMI), Emergency Management Operational Communications Program, Foundations of Emergency Management (Class 1 Emergencies), Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), Disaster Recovery Toolkit for Local Government, Emergency management capability in Victoria, Natural Disaster Resilience Grants Scheme (NDRGS), Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), Community Resilience Framework for Emergency Management, Learning as One Victorias page for lessons, 10. Keep workplaces that you manage and control in a safe condition, free of risks to health (for example, ensure fire exits arent blocked, and the worksite is generally tidy). They also: give advice and information on WHS duties collect, analyse and publish statistics promote and support education and training SWA is not a regulator and cannot advise you about WHS issues in the workplace. Our role is to facilitate this - to listen to our clients, understand the goals and outcomes they would like to achieve and tailor an appropriate response. The WHS Act will be supported by three sets of regulations: Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations - applies to all workplaces except those covered by the other two sets of regulations [WHS General Regulations] Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations - applies to mining and mineral exploration They also have a duty to make sure their work is carried out in line with WHS Management Procedures and any applicable legislation. provide and maintain safe and healthy workplaces for all workers provide and maintain a safe means of access to and from the workplace that is safe for workers provide adequate facilities for the welfare of workers at work and appropriate health, medical and first aid services We provide training in multiple locations around Melbourne's suburbs as well as across regional Victoria. We collect, analyse and publish data and information on work health and safety and workers' compensation. ), Participating agency for the mine emergency mitigation activity: legislation/regulation and enforcement of Mineral Resources Sustainable Development Act 1990 and regulations (licensing and approvals process for operators of declared mines), Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004, EM Act 2013, EM (Critical Infrastructure Resilience) Regulations 2015, Country Fire Authority Act 1958 and Regulations 2014, Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005, Provide technical support to other agencies in the area of plant, construction, chemicals, dangerous goods, high consequence dangerous goods, explosives (other than ordinance and explosives or firearms at crime scenes), mines, prescribed mines, quarries, on-shore petroleum sites and geothermal or on-shore exploration sites and in relation to occupational health and safety matters regarding extent of damage, immediate threats, and loss of life these matters may present. New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, the Northern Territory, ACT, Tasmania, and now . We use a range a tools and tactics to ensure workplaces are safer. WorkSafe Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait policies and services for people of LGBTIQ communities and their harmonise, by providing more detailed information about WHS obligations and the duties that apply in relation to particular hazards. We educate, support and guide Victorian workplaces to provide a safe environment for their workers. If your assessor marks any of your answers as incorrect, they will talk to you about resubmission. WorkSafe Victoria Find out about WHS laws that apply in each jurisdiction. Monitor your employees health (for example, provide hearing tests if they are exposed to high noise levels). This advice may direct duty holders to the relevant provisions of any legislation administered by WorkSafe, and to any guidance material published by WorkSafe with respect to particular obligations. Generally HSRs and deputy HSRs have the same functions and powers. 3. We're all responsible for ensuring we maintain a safe and healthy environment. process-based objectives (eg, the number of inspections conducted, hazards rectified, etc). Your WHS obligations You must put health and safety practices in place as soon as you start your business. Regulators work collaboratively to set strategic priorities at both a national and local level. Geelong VIC 3220. cooperate with any reasonable policy or procedure of thePCBUrelating to health or safety at the workplace that has been notified to workers. His job is to visit clients in their homes. Provide and maintain safe plant (machinery and equipment). We publish a wide range of resources covering many work health and safety topics. You will need to do one of the following: Answer the questions that were incorrect in writing. Agency roles and responsibilities are individually outlined in this section. Its also important to remember that health and safety obligations dont stop at workers and contractors; they extend to anyone who might be exposed to WHS risk from onsite operations, such as members of the public, visitors, and volunteers. WorkSafe can provide occupational health and safety advice of a general nature. WorkSafe's strategy How we will reduce workplace harm and improve outcomes for injured workers. Allowing members to instigate, develop, and implement health and safety control measures. To decide what is reasonably practicable, you must consider: Report to WorkSafe all notifiable incidents that happen in a workplace under your management and control. They also: give advice and information on WHS duties, promote and support education and training, help duty holders, workers and representatives consult and coordinate on WHS matters. Box 306 Black Rock VIC 3193 Australia, regular maintenance of industrial plant and safety, putting processes in place to reduce health risks in operations the use, handling, storage or transport of plant or substances, minimising hazards and maintaining safe conditions in the work environment, providing adequate facilities for workers welfare, providing proper information, training and supervision that teaches workers to perform their work safely and without risk. Geelong VIC 3220. WorkSafe Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for making their own work health and safety (WHS) laws. WorkSafe Victoria is the statutory authority responsible for promoting and enforcing health and safety in Victorian workplaces. We are also the workplace injury insurer. Provide and maintain safe systems of work - for example, controlling entry to high-risk areas and providing systems to prevent falls from heights. Consultation As a health and safety representative it's important to understand consultation procedures including what matters employers must consult about, what consultation involves, and different ways that consultation can occur. A crane company has been convicted and fined $400,000 after one man died and two others were injured during a concrete pour at a Box Hill construction site. We publish a wide range of resources covering many work health and safety topics. Roles and responsibilities employers, occupiers and contractors . 54 Victoria Street, Carlton South VIC 3053 Phone: 03 9659 3511 Fax: 03 9639 0408 Review of the model Work Health and Safety lawsFinal Report. A 'person conducting a business or undertaking' (PCBU) has health and safety duties under the WHS Act. policies and services for people of LGBTIQ communities and their They also share information, tools, and initiatives. They specify how some duties under the WHS Act must be met and the procedural or administrative processes that must be in place. To find more information about these laws go to your state's WHS governing body. This Roles and Responsibilities section can be leveraged to understand the roles and responsibilities of agencies in relation to emergency management (EM). 1 Malop Street An employer can be a: You are an employee if you have a contract of employment or contract of training. [7] Associations can be incorporated under state or . families. Each jurisdiction has a regulator who monitors and enforces compliance with WHS laws. Examine workplace conditions to make sure they . WorkSafe's job is to protect every Victorian worker from harm. Protect yourself and your business maintain a thorough understanding of your legal obligations. Keep your workplace safe and productive by identifying and resolving issues through defined systematic processes. 26 Park Street South Melbourne Melbourne VIC 3026 Australia, Suite 25 Ground Floor 185-187 High Street Freemantle WA 6959 Australia, P.O. Answer: Victorian WorkCover Authority's responsibilities include: help avoid workplace injuries occurring Duties under WHS laws You have duties under WHS laws to keep people in the workplace safe if you're: a person conducting a business or undertaking ( PCBU ), such as an employer an officer, such as a business owner or CEO worker or other person in the workplace. We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants and traditional custodians of the land on which we work and live. These managers should personally sign and endorse WHS policies and make sure their employees understand them. Supporting them to recover and, where possible, return to safe work. We are supporting workplaces to be mentally healthy, and reduce mental injury. List three things you can do to remain up to date with safe work practices. A worker is a person who carries out work for a small business or undertaking, including work as an employee or: The term work is not defined in the model WHS laws and has its ordinary meaning. A transport company has been convicted and fined $75,000 after a worker suffered an electric shock when a mobile crane struck overhead power lines at a Dromana construction site. You should look at your own situation and requirements before making any decisions. You can allocate WHS responsibility at the site level with a functional responsibility matrix. Everything about mental health in one place. the right to appropriate safety equipment. Under Australian WHS laws your business must: ensure the health and safety of your workers not put the health and safety of other people at risk. Each jurisdiction has a regulator who monitors and enforces compliance with WHS laws. Take action to eliminate the hazard WHS policies relating to hazard identification, risk assessment and control should indicate the roles and responsibilities each worker has in contributing to a safe work environment. The purpose of the Work Health and Safety laws ( WHS laws) are to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees, volunteers and other persons who are at, or come in to contact with, a workplace. Major Hazard Facilities, Dangerous Goods Code preventative requirements), supported by audits and inspection. To achieve this, Agents should: provide proactive tailored support to injured workers, their families, employers and other persons affected by serious incidents. To ensure workers and managers have the capabilities required to perform their jobs safety training need to be done. There is a range of responsibilities within any company from managements overall WHS responsibility to the day-to-day responsibility of individual workers. Detail the WHS responsibilities relevant to each employees specific duties, and make them clear, relevant and easy to understand. The Information sheet - Work Health and Safety (Mines) Regulations 2022 comparison table summarises the similarities and differences between provisions in the Mines Safety and Inspection Act . Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 18. 4.4 Establish processes to monitor achievement against the plan and update plans as required. 1. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and honour their cultural, spiritual and educational practices. Have you done a first aid assessment of your business? Under the OSH law, employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace. And we are reviewing and improving every interaction we have with an injured worker from the beginning of the process, when they lodge a workers compensation claim, to how we support their recovery and safe return to work. They also share information, tools, and initiatives. federal statutory authority. To find more information about these laws go to your state's WHS governing body. As expected, the WHS Act provides for the election, powers and functions of Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs). The description of WHS responsibilities must include the name, position and appropriate authority of all such personnel. secure the health, safety and welfare of employees and other people at work; WHSC consists of various staff members from departments within an organisation. Link your managers pay and promotion to WHS performance in their area of responsibility. The policies should offer clear guidelines about the duties, consultation and documentation mandatory for each process regarding: For your employees, you must provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and free of risks to health, so far as is reasonably practicable. As part of a businesss WHS responsibilities are the ability to respond to any accident or emergency in your workplace. As part of a businesss WHS responsibilities are the ability to respond to any accident or emergency in your workplace. A health and safety representative (HSR) is elected by their work group to represent workers in work health and safety (WHS) matters. Investigate, report and analyse information for current and emerging risks and hazards where relevant before, during and after incidents involving: Provide people and communities with information about risks, risk mitigation actions, and incidents/events through the development and publishing of guidance notes and alerts on a wide range of occupational health and safety and dangerous goods matters, Deliver public safety awareness activities where Worksafe Victoria has jurisdiction under the Equipment (Public Safety) Act 1994 and associated regulations, Participating agency for the gas supply disruption mitigation activity: legislative and regulatory framework, including Gas Industry Act 2001, Gas Safety Act 1997 and associated Gas Safety Cases, National Gas Law and National Gas Regulations, critical infrastructure resilience requirements under the EM Act 2013, Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation. 4.3 Identify potential barriers to improvement. Cooperate with your employer about any action they take to comply with the OHS Act or Regulations. provider and service applications and approvals. It allows duty-holders to determine their approach to achieving compliance with the Act. See our latest Key work health and safety statistics. If you have one or more employees, you are an employer. Our aim is to keep all workplaces (including major emergency workplaces) healthy and safe, and to deliver high quality care and treatment when employees are injured. It is recommended to follow this, to minimize risk and prepare your workplace. Rights and responsibilities of employers According to WorkSafe Victoria the employer must provide a safe and healthy workplace for all workers and contractors. They can be the valuable resource to identify the hazards within the workplace. In order to understand the training needed, analysis of the job and individual skills must be analysed. authority (if applicable) within the statutory reporting time frames. Usually: Examples of a business or undertaking include: See theGuide to Work Health and Safety for Volunteer Organisationsfor more information. As part of the provisions of the WHS Act, employers must provide a first aid kit with the necessary supplies to provide emergency health care. In both capacities, employers and employees are at the heart of our service. Regulatory authorities also have a range of powers and tools to facilitate continuous improvement and ensure compliance with the NQF, including the ability to issue compliance notices. Duty holders should seek their own independent advice on how the requirements of WorkSafe-administered legislation should be applied. Visits by SafeWork inspectors to workplaces could be in response to: an incident a complaint Review of the model Work Health and Safety lawsFinal Report.