OH & S Flashcards
What are the benefits of a safe working environment?
Improved personal safety Reduced insurance claims/premiums Improved productivity Reduced spoilage Reduced absenteeism/turnover Increased trust Compliance with requirements
What are some key risks to make OH & S issues worse?
- Cost saving
- Stress/fatigue
- Violence/bullying
- Alcoholism/drugs
- Health/obesity
- Poor workplace culture
Lack of OHS policy and enforcement
What is the common law regulation on OH & S?
Based on precedent. Criminal (state against individual) or civil law (individual vs. individual).
In order to win a common law OH & S case, the injured party needs to demonstrate what?
- Duty of care was owed to them
- They suffered an injury
- The employer was negligent
- They (individual) was behaving in a responsible way
What statute law is applicable to OH & S in Australia?
Made by parliment:
Work Health and Safety Act (2011)
Work Health and Safety Regulation (2011)
How is “reasonably practicable” determined?
Likelihood of occurrence
Degree of harm
What is known about the hazard and risk
Availability and suitability to eliminate or mitigate risk
Cost (if reasonable or disproportionate to the risk)
What is ‘Safe Work Australia’?
National policy body responsible for developing and evaluating the model work health and safety laws.
Members are federal, state and territory governments, unions and industry
What does ‘Safe Work Australia” do ?
Provides advice for businesses, insurance, resources, advisory groups, compliance information, training programs.
What are employers responsible for in managing OH&S?
Employee health and safety Keep records Inform employees in their language Engage professionals Safe work systems Training and supervision to employees on safety
What are employees responsible for in managing OH&S?
Take reasonable care of themselves
Take reasonable care of others
Cooperate with the employer to comply with WHS
Do not act recklessly
What are common OH&S hazards?
Safety (conditions that threaten workers with injury)
Health (conditions that lead to disease/illness)
In assessing OH & S risk, which two things should be considered?
Probability (how likely is something to happen)?
Consequence (what would happen if it did)?
List the risk management process:
1) Identify hazard
2) Assess risk (probability & consequence - refer to chart)
3) Decide and implement control measure
4) Monitor and review effectiveness
