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. 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 share information, tools, and initiatives. For example, a self-employed person may be simultaneously a PCBU and a worker. Streamline your WHS processes with a strategic communication process. Know your duties - a tool for working safely. See our latest Key work health and safety statistics. the right to say no to unsafe work. For information about who may be aPCBUand their duties see: Officers have specific duties under WHS laws. The Act is designed to provide a broad framework for improving standards of workplace health and safety to reduce work-related injury and illness. 4.2 Develop a WHS action plan taking account of priorities and training needs. 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. References [1] WHS Act, section 4 definition of 'regulator'. For small businesses, officers are usually the owners or operators of the business. Under the OSH law, employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace. The Commonwealth, states and territories regulate and enforce WHS laws. 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. You must manage the risksto your workers, so far as is reasonably practicable,when they areworking from home. 1 Malop Street 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. Our OHS Management System takes a coordinated and systematic approach to health and safety. Omar works in Home and Community Care in a rural location. WorkSafe Victoria is committed to safe and inclusive work places, To request an inspector email whs.help@comcare.gov.au or call us on 1300 366 979. . Capeview Mitre 10 Cape Paterson Rd, Wonthaggi Victoria 3995. 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. . We provide information for HSRs and workers interested in being a HSR about the role, HSR elections, support and guides, . Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and A serious incident that results in a worker sustaining an injury or severe injury (requiring immediate hospital admission) must be managed sensitively and without delay. As a business owner you are legally accountable to manage your workplace health and safety (WHS). We do this by: making sure work health and safety laws are followed investigating work-related fatalities and serious injuries taking legal action when work health and safety laws are broken WorkSafe Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait They also: give advice and information on WHS duties collect, analyse and publish statistics If you have one or more employees, you are an employer. You may berequiredunderstate or territory lawto allow your workers to work from homedue to COVID-19. If it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate risks, they must be minimised so far as is reasonably practicable. Last but not least, all workplaces should have a manager or managers appointed who are specifically concerned with WHS for example, a WHS manager, WHS advisor, human resources manager, etc. Geelong VIC 3220. employee of a labour hire company placed with a host employer, comply, so far as they are reasonably able, with any reasonably instruction that is given by thePCBUto comply with the. harmonise, by providing more detailed information about WHS obligations and the duties that apply in relation to particular hazards. According to Section 72 of the OHS Act, the functions of the HSC include: Facilitating cooperation between the employees and the employer. 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. 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. Give your employees information about workplace health and safety in appropriate languages. We develop national policy and strategy about workers' compensation. a) WorkSafe Victoria, b) Victorian WorkCover c) Provide and maintain for employees a workplace that is safe and without risk to health. 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. The modelWHS laws still apply if workers work somewhere other than their usual workplace,such asworking from home. These processes require that work safety risks have been identified and documented and that responsibility has been allocated to the correct authority within your organisation. This includes when they are working from home. We collect, analyse and publish data and information on work health and safety and workers' compensation. Major Hazard Facilities, Dangerous Goods Code preventative requirements), supported by audits and inspection. Your basic rights include: the right to be shown how to work safely. 1 Malop Street A high-level overview of arrangements undertaken in EM are outlined in the interactive and functional PDF (including tables 1-7), with specific details of agency roles and responsibilities . 3. Line managers are responsible for a specific area of your company, including WHS within that area. Our COVID-19 response continues, as we educate workplaces on how to operate safely with the virus. Safe practice 1: Safe practice 2: Safe practice 3: QUESTION 7 Fill out the table after each scenario. WorkSafe Victoria You have duties under WHS laws to keep people in the workplace safe if youre: A person can have more than one duty under the model WHS laws. outcome-based objectives (eg, a reduction in the number of manual handling injuries). You must also take reasonable care for the health and safety of others who may be affected by what you do or dont do. secure the health, safety and welfare of employees and other people at work; We develop national policy and strategy about workers' compensation. What is name of the WHS authority that regulates work health and safety in Victoria? Everything about Coronavirus (COVID-19) in one place. WHS publications and resources. 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. Back. 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. The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for making their own work health and safety (WHS) laws. Business and employer responsibilities; Claims & insurance Use the enter or spacebar key to Expand "Claims & insurance" Claims & insurance. 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. They also: give advice and information on WHS duties collect, analyse and publish statistics promote and support education and training They also have a duty to make sure their work is carried out in line with WHS Management Procedures and any applicable legislation. The sooner, the better. Geelong VIC 3220. This responsibility extends to contractors for matters over which the employer has management. Regulators work together to implement national campaigns and ensure a consistent approach to compliance and enforcement across Australia. Under WHS Act, section 4, a 'volunteer' is defined as a person who is acting on a voluntary basis (irrespective of whether the person receives out-of-pocket expenses). To find more information about these laws go to your state's WHS governing body. Regulators work collaboratively to set strategic priorities at both a national and local level. They also share information, tools, and initiatives. This includes inspections, campaigns, education programs, targeted interventions, guidance, warnings, enforcement and prosecutions. 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 We are also the workplace injury insurer. Each jurisdiction has a regulator who monitors and enforces compliance with WHS laws. 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. WorkSafe Victoria is the statutory authority responsible for promoting and enforcing health and safety in Victorian workplaces. WHS capability refers to the knowledge, skills and experience all workers must have to meet their work health and safety (WHS) responsibilities to do their work safely. To ensure workers and managers have the capabilities required to perform their jobs safety training need to be done. provider and service applications and approvals. WorkSafe is reminding Victorian employers and workers of the shocking consequences of workplace harm after the loss of 61 lives last year. 1. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and honour their cultural, spiritual and educational practices. Monitor conditions at the workplace under your management and control. We collect, analyse and publish data and information on work health and safety and workers' compensation. . List these and provide a brief description on thier role. [2] WHS Act, section 156. Find out how to meet your duties under work health and safety (WHS) laws. You have additional specific obligations if your business involves: You also may have obligations to meet particular licensing, registration and certification requirements. www.worksafe.qld.gov.au . While preventing injuries is always our first preference and priority, when a workplace injury does occur, our job and our focus is on improving outcomes for those who are injured. An overview of employer and employee responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. Your WHS obligations You must put health and safety practices in place as soon as you start your business. In the following table, name the relevant legislation's, regulations, codes and standards and how they impact on . As part of a businesss WHS responsibilities are the ability to respond to any accident or emergency in your workplace. Contact your regulatory authority for enquiries about: submitting application and notification forms. policies and services for people of LGBTIQ communities and their Understand the powers of an HSR and an employers' obligations. For assurance and learning activities, refer directly to the agency for further information. WorkSafe's strategy How we will reduce workplace harm and improve outcomes for injured workers. Everything about mental health in one place. Our responsibilities include: issuing licences and registration for potentially dangerous work investigating workplace incidents where necessary, enforcing WHS, workers compensation and explosives laws in NSW. To improve outcomes for injured workers, we're identifying early those injured workers whose recovery or return to work is not going to plan, and providing targeted intervention and tailored support. 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. consult with workers, and health and safety representatives (HSRs) if you have them, about health and safety issues that may directly affect them. The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for making their own work health and safety (WHS) laws. What to do before, during and after a natural disaster. Provide suitable facilities for welfare at any workplace you manage and control. OHS Management System. Overwhelmed by the plethora Acts, Regulations, and Codes? It allows duty-holders to determine their approach to achieving compliance with the Act. WorkSafe Victoria Positions that should have their WHS responsibilities defined may include: corporate management such as the managing director and project director; superintendent or representative of the principal on site; Safe Work Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. WHS committee helps to maintain and improve health and safety standards, rules, procedures and establishes the standard of best work practices. We are in a privileged position to make a difference, and help some of our community's most vulnerable. 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. Dont intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything at the workplace to support health, safety and welfare. $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. The Victorian community services sector employs more than 60,000 people Yet our role is more than just a funder of benefits. 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. Evaluate and maintain WHS. WorkSafe's job is to protect every Victorian worker from harm. Duty of care for psychological health Notify the regulator Consultation and communication Ensure authorisations are in place Manage a HSR listing Set up work health and safety committees Support work health and safety entry permit holders Manage contractors Practical strategies Expand all Manage risk in the workplace If you need help please contact yourstate or territory work health and safety authority. We're prioritising the early identification of current and emerging occupational illness and disease such as asbestos and silicosis. Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and Regulators work collaboratively to set strategic priorities at both a national and local level. The information on this site is of a general nature only. More specifically, workers must: take reasonable care for their own health and safety. It does not take your specific needs or circumstances into consideration. It is recommended to follow this, to minimize risk and prepare your workplace. families. In order to understand the training needed, analysis of the job and individual skills must be analysed. 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. federal statutory authority. You can allocate WHS responsibility at the site level with a functional responsibility matrix. Safe Work Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. Health and safety inspectors can enter your workplace to check your compliance with Australian work health and safety laws. Our community expects and deserves nothing less. The WHS responsibilities apply to all employers and businesses, which includes any person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU). an undertaking will have some organisation, systems, and possible continuity, but are usually not profit-making or commercial. makes, or participates in making, significant decisions that affect the whole, or a substantial part, of the business, or.