1. Introduction to OH&S (Legislation)

2. NSW Occupational Health & Safety Act (2000)
Administered by Workcover Authority
Workcover appoints Inspectors
Important Role in Education
Key issues covered by the legislation include:
OH&S Committees & Representatives
Employer Responsibilities
Employee Responsibilities
Codes of Practice
Industry Standards

3. Aim of the Act:
To ensure the health, safety and welfare of persons at work.

4. The Occupational Health & Safety Act 2000 (NSW)
The Occupational Health + The OH&S
& Safety Act (2000) Regulation (2001)
 
The foundation for a safe & Specific requirements healthy workplace & control measures

5. Consultation
All employers must consult with their employees regardless of the size of the organisation.
When ? There is a review of work methods
There are any changes in the workplace
How ? Via OH&S Committees
Through OH&S Representatives
“Other agreed arrangements” ( , notice boards, staff meetings etc)

6. OH&S OFFICERS, REPRESENTATIVES & COMMITTEES
Occupational Health & Safety Officers
Full or part –time paid position within an organisation. Oversees all OH&S issues, procedures, policies etc.
Occupational Health & Safety Representative
Represents the Health and Safety interests of employees.
An OH&S Representative must be allowed to be elected if at least one employee requests it.
Occupational Health & Safety Committees
review current measures
raise OH&S issues with employees & employers
resolve problems
develop OH&S policy and record keeping
help ensure a safe workplace
OH&S Committees must be established by an employer when:
An organisation has 20 or more employees; or
The majority of employees request it

7. EMPLOYER DUTIES
To “provide and maintain, as far as practicable, a safe working environment, which is free from any risks to health”
This could include:
Providing and maintaining safe equipment and systems of work
Providing adequate information on hazards, as well as instruction, training and supervision to employees

8. EMPLOYEE DUTIES
Simply, employees are required to adhere to the procedures and systems as laid down for the carrying out of certain tasks.

9. INDUSTRY STANDARDS
Standards for the sport, recreation and fitness industry are not particularly well developed.
Standards Australia
have recently
developed standards
in relation to
recreational diving;
sports lighting;
synthetic sports
surfaces; moveable /
mini soccer goal posts

10. CONCLUSION:
Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) is too often seen as a legislative requirement – something imposed from outside the organisation. The potential outcome of this perspective is minimal compliance with the law (in order to avoid prosecution).
An effective OH&S
system has much
more to offer – It is
about ensuring the
health, safety and
welfare of employees
and achieving
continual OH&S and
productivity
improvement.