Is the first aid equipment in your workplace easy to find and access? What is name of the WHS authority that regulates work health and safety in Victoria? 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. 1 Malop Street It is recommended to follow this, to minimize risk and prepare your workplace. We publish a wide range of resources covering many work health and safety topics. [4] WHS Act, section 157. acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present. All jurisdictions, except Victoria, agreed to a national approach to comply with WHS laws during COVID-19. WHS Authorities As a business owner you are legally accountable to manage your workplace health and safety (WHS). 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. Safe Work Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. 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. 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. A Airservices Ambulance Victoria (AV) Australian Defence Force (ADF) Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) Australian Government Department of Home Affairs Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Australian Red Cross (ARC) Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) B 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. Whether a person conducts a business or undertaking is a fact to be determined in each case. [5] WHS Act, section 32. Review of the model Work Health and Safety lawsFinal Report. See WHS Act, section 34. 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. Here is a summary of an employer's rights . families. Each jurisdiction has a regulator who monitors and enforces compliance with WHS laws. We also hold negligent employers to account and enforce occupational health and safety laws if workers are subjected to risk or harm. This tool provides information about duties under the model WHS laws, including duties for PCBUs and workers in the agriculture industry, how to meet these duties, and hazards you may face working in agriculture. Review of the model Work Health and Safety lawsFinal Report. Major Hazard Facilities, Dangerous Goods Code preventative requirements), supported by audits and inspection. This includes when they are working from home. Driving heavy vehicles safely in poor road conditions. Each jurisdiction has a regulator who monitors and enforces compliance with WHS laws. For example, a self-employed person may be simultaneously a PCBU and a worker. Subscribe to receive events announcements and the latest industry news including Safety Soapbox, agriculture updates, DG digest, Major hazards matters, Provider Pulse, updates for health and safety reps, and communication from the WorkWell program. A workplace safety pioneer, a stable hand who has returned to work after suffering a serious spinal cord injury and a company that reshaped its approach to preventing mental injury in the workplace were among the winners at the 2022 WorkSafe Awards. See our latest Key work health and safety statistics. This includes inspections, campaigns, education programs, targeted interventions, guidance, warnings, enforcement and prosecutions. SWA is not a regulator and cannot advise you about WHS issues in the workplace. Do you have enough trained first aiders to cover unplanned staff absences? 1 Malop Street $400,000 fine after worker killed in crane tragedy, Transport company fined $75,000 after electric shock, WorkSafe Awards winners set the gold standard for safety. HSRs have powers under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020. They also share information, tools, and initiatives. More specifically, workers must: take reasonable care for their own health and safety. policies and services for people of LGBTIQ communities and their See our latest Key work health and safety statistics. Your basic rights include: the right to be shown how to work safely. Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and Making WHS a concrete and measurable part of your employees work will have a very real impact. While at work, workers must take reasonable care for their own health and safety, and that of others who may be affected by the workers acts or omissions. Ensure the safe use, handling, storage or transport of plant or substances. You can also promote awareness throughout your organisation by featuring WHS matters in the personal objectives and annual assessment of all employees. Provide and maintain safe plant (machinery and equipment). federal statutory authority. However, WorkSafe cannot provide advice on how legislation should be applied in any specific circumstance, and the advice provided by WorkSafe does not constitute legal advice. A health and safety representative (HSR) is elected by their work group to represent workers in work health and safety (WHS) matters. co-operate with reasonable policies and procedures. We collect, analyse and publish data and information on work health and safety and workers' compensation. We educate, support and guide Victorian workplaces to provide a safe environment for their workers. 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. Give your employees the necessary information, instruction, training or supervision to enable them to do their work in a way that is safe and without risks to health. 4.4 Establish processes to monitor achievement against the plan and update plans as required. www.worksafe.qld.gov.au . Health and safety inspectors can enter your workplace to check your compliance with Australian work health and safety laws. Being 'Safe and Well Every Day' is the promise WorkSafe Tasmania makes to the Tasmanian community. The Victorian community services sector employs more than 60,000 people We educate, support and guide Victorian workplaces to provide a safe environment for their workers. Rights and responsibilities of employers According to WorkSafe Victoria the employer must provide a safe and healthy workplace for all workers and contractors. To do this, we are choosing to focus our efforts and resources where we can make a meaningful difference to the health, safety and well-being of Victorian workers. outcome-based objectives (eg, a reduction in the number of manual handling injuries). the right to a fair and just workplace. Geelong VIC 3220. If your assessor marks any of your answers as incorrect, they will talk to you about resubmission. families. . 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. This Roles and Responsibilities section can be leveraged to understand the roles and responsibilities of agencies in relation to emergency management (EM). To do this you must: provide a safe work environment Examine workplace conditions to make sure they . An overview of employer and employee responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. WorkSafe Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Cooperate with your employer about any action they take to comply with the OHS Act or Regulations. An officer can only comply with their duty by taking an active and inquisitive role in WHS. the right to speak up about work conditions. the right to workers compensation. We are in a privileged position to make a difference, and help some of our community's most vulnerable. The goal of providing first aid is to prevent or reduce further health damage and to relieve suffering until the injured person can be . Business and employer responsibilities; Claims & insurance Use the enter or spacebar key to Expand "Claims & insurance" Claims & insurance. 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 This responsibility extends to contractors for matters over which the employer has management. A 'person conducting a business or undertaking' (PCBU) has health and safety duties under the WHS Act. Dont intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything at the workplace to support health, safety and welfare. the right to say no to unsafe work. Each jurisdiction has a regulator who monitors and enforces compliance with WHS laws. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and honour their cultural, spiritual and educational practices. the right to appropriate safety equipment. , , , . 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. Information for charities and associations operating in Western Australia. If it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate risks, they must be minimised so far as is reasonably practicable. Employ or engage people suitably qualified in OHS to advise you on employees health and safety. 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. We provide a range of benefits including weekly income payments, hospital, medical and allied health treatment, personal and household help, common law benefits and lump sums for permanent impairment. Keep information and records relating to health and safety of your employees. manufacture, importation, transportation, supply, storage, handling or use of dangerous goods, design, manufacture, importation, supply, erection or installation of plant, manufacture, importation or supply of substances, partnership, unincorporated association, franchising operation, or not-for-profit organisation. authority (if applicable) within the statutory reporting time frames. And we are supporting and empowering Victoria's network of Health and Safety representatives our eyes and ears on the ground. To find more information about these laws go to your state's WHS governing body. You will need to do one of the following: Answer the questions that were incorrect in writing. 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 pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging. We use a range a tools and tactics to ensure workplaces are safer. We develop national policy and strategy about workers' compensation. families. What is the role of a SafeWork inspector? Dahlsens Albury-Wodonga 58 - 98 Bennu Circuit, Thurgoona NSW 2640. How WorkSafe applies the law in relation to Reasonably Practicable, Report an incident: Criteria for notifiable incidents, Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations, Information for occupiers and those who manage or control workplaces. Contact your regulatory authority for enquiries about: submitting application and notification forms. We're all responsible for ensuring we maintain a safe and healthy environment. Provide and maintain safe systems of work - for example, controlling entry to high-risk areas and providing systems to prevent falls from heights. We're prioritising the early identification of current and emerging occupational illness and disease such as asbestos and silicosis. Assist in identifying hazards. . This is designed as an overview of the standards required under WHS laws. | Learn more about Phillip Pavlidis's work . Safe Work Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. [3] WHS Act, section 154. WHS regulations supplement the WHS Act, and the Acts of those states yet to . To show youre serious about work safety right from the start, this information should be included in the position description of all employees. Find out how to meet your duties under work health and safety (WHS) laws. An officer of aPCBUhas a duty to exercise due diligence to ensure a business or undertaking complies with their duties under themodel WHS laws. (road/rail/marine, pipeline) - management of dangerous goods in transport, storage and handling, legislation/regulation and enforcement (e.g. Omar works in Home and Community Care in a rural location. Health and safety. To achieve this, Agents should: provide proactive tailored support to injured workers, their families, employers and other persons affected by serious incidents. We develop national policy and strategy about workers' compensation. Generally HSRs and deputy HSRs have the same functions and powers. The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for making their own work health and safety (WHS) laws. You must also take reasonable care for the health and safety of others who may be affected by what you do or dont do. The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for implementing, regulating and enforcing WHS laws in their jurisdictions. There is a range of responsibilities within any company from managements overall WHS responsibility to the day-to-day responsibility of individual workers. Role of the WHS regulators The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for making their own work health and safety (WHS) laws. [6] WHS Act . 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). The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for making their own work health and safety (WHS) laws. below I have copied what I have found so far, but has taken too much time. 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. 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 . Capeview Mitre 10 Cape Paterson Rd, Wonthaggi Victoria 3995. Geelong VIC 3220. The role of work health and safety committee members is to address and resolve WHS issues. consult with workers, and health and safety representatives (HSRs) if you have them, about health and safety issues that may directly affect them. WorkSafe Victoria is committed to safe and inclusive work places, Roles and responsibilities employers, occupiers and contractors . 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). The Duties of Directors and company officers (Section 144) have also been included along with new powers to obtain information (Section 9), the creation of ARREOs (Authorised Representatives of Employee Associations) (Sections 87-94), a duty to consult on matters affecting health and safety (Sections 35 and 36) and a significant change which The Commonwealth, states and territories regulate and enforce WHS laws. Worksafe Victoria, Dangerous Goods transporter maintenance, training, licensing, inspection etc. 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. We collect, analyse and publish data and information on work health and safety and workers' compensation. This code applies to all types of work and all workplaces covered by the WHS Act. We provide training in multiple locations around Melbourne's suburbs as well as across regional Victoria. Everything you need to know about worker's compensation insurance, whether you're an employer needing to insure your workers or a worker who's been injured at work. Take action to eliminate the hazard 4.1 Determine WHS priorities in consultation with work group. See our latest Key work health and safety statistics. WorkSafe is Victoria's workplace health and safety regulator. Safe Work Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. compulsory marine pilotage/exempt masters, Harbour master directions, safety duty (so far as is reasonably practicable) obligations of port manager, port operator, vessel operators, offshore facility operators etc. Question: Research the WHS authorities in your state or territory. References [1] WHS Act, section 4 definition of 'regulator'. The PCBU may be a corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, a self-employed person or a sole trader. Seven reasons why strategically managing your health and safety processes will improve your bottom line.