Occupational Health and Safety legislation is designed so that employers provide a safe work environment, and employees minimise the risk of accidents and injuries.

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Acts of the Commonwealth all employers are required to ‘ provide and maintain so far as is practicable for employees a working environment that is safe without risks of health.’ Employers are also obliged to ‘ provide such information, instruction, training and supervision to employees to perform their work in a manner that is safe and without risks of health.’

The appropriate state authority sets out the responsibilities of employers, employees and others for Occupational Health and Safety. Employers must take steps to avoid industrial accidents and illnesses. Employees have the right to a safe and healthy workplace and compensation payment in the event of injury or sickness resulting from employment. Occupational Health and Safety committees and representatives monitor the procedures of Occupational Health and Safety implemented in the workplace and report unsafe and unhealthy working conditions to the employer.

States and territories have their own workers’ compensation legislation and the appropriate references should be consulted. Basically, the compensation provides benefits to workers or the dependants of workers who suffer injury or disease associated with their employment. The procedures for reporting, claiming and the documentation required must be followed carefully. Many organisations have a staff member who has part-time responsibility for Occupational Health and Safety supervision. Providers of Occupational Health and Safety courses are well advertised, including a listing in the Yellow Pages. Employers, employees, students and private individuals can contribute to the maintenance of safety in the workplace and other areas by reporting situations which could lead to accidents and injuries occurring.

The national standard and code of practice set out a preventative approach to injuries caused by incorrect manual handling of heavy objects and the poor layout of workstations and workplaces.

Under these OHS Acts the employer has a ‘duty of care’ to provide a safe and healthy work environment. The responsibilities that an employer must undertake to fulfil the duty of care are:

State legislation requires that first aid kits be available in workplaces. The size and content of each kit is determined by the type of business activity and the number of staff at the particular location. Training courses in first aid are available from organisations such as St John’s Ambulance Association, Red Cross Society and the National Safety Council. Officers must be re-certified every three years. An allowance is paid to staff who perform first aid duties. A register of injuries and treatment given for first aid has to be kept and retained for at least five years. The register should be available for the information of Work cover inspectors as required. The procedures for reporting workplace accident/ incidents are set out in the relevant state legislation. Both employers and employees are required to follow the guidelines given.

First Aid Eye Protection No Smoking Watch Your StepSlippery Floor Electrical Hazard Hearing Protection Fire Extinguisher Safety signs and symbols (for example, posters, labels, tags, cones and signs) are displayed to alert staff and members of the public to danger areas. The productivity of staff can be adversely affected by physical hazards such as noise, vibration, air quality and ventilation, the design of office furniture and equipment, and lighting. Employers have an Occupational Health and Safety obligation to ensure that attention is paid to these issues. A safe working environment includes paying attention to the correct maintenance of electrical equipment, power points and leads.

A hazard is defined as ‘anything that could cause harm’. Physical Hazards The use of the computer is one of the most dangerous physical hazards in the workplace. Sitting at the computer, using the keyboard and looking at the screen for long periods of time, will often result in back pain, stiff neck and shoulders, sore hands and wrists and tired legs. To avoid injury ergonomics have been used. Courtesy of clipart

How people behave at work can sometimes create hazardous situations. Some examples of such hazardous situation can be: behaving in an irresponsible manner, such as playing practical jokes leaving bags and other objects in walkways running and rushing about quickly, which can cause an accident using chemicals and solvents in a careless or dangerous manner. Stress Stress is one of the major contributions to illness in an office environment. Some factors that can contribute to stress are: unrealistic work requirements poor time management skills changing situations in the workplace irregular working hours

The use of chemicals in some workplaces can cause physical problems for employees. Employers can control this by providing effective ventilation, implementing systems for safe handling, storage and disposal, providing protective clothing, and posting warning signs in dangerous areas. The use of synthetic mineral fibres (SMFs) in the workplace may cause lung and skin problems. Employers are advised to eliminate the use of SMFs where possible or provide protective equipment for employees. Employers plan for fire emergencies by maintaining appropriate extinguishers for the types of fire likely to occur in their workplace. In addition, well lit exit signs are put in place, evacuation routes are kept clear and a suitable fire alarm is installed. Staff are drilled in fire evacuation procedures.

The following substances, if not used with caution, can have an adverse effect on your health and well-being. Correction fluids: Can cause headaches, eye irritation, inflammation of the skin and other ailments. Thinners for use with correction fluids: Contain powerful solvents which can depress the central nervous system, cause fatigue, nausea and lack of muscular co-ordination. Cleaning fluids or detergents for use on office equipment: Serious effects on the eyes and skin may result from careless use. Cigarette smoke: When fumes are inhaled from other people smoking cigarettes. This has the same side effect as direct smoking. Air-conditioning: Badly maintained air conditions can spreaddisease.