OHS practices - Fundamentals

OHS legislation

Occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation provides a framework for improving standards of workplace health and safety and reducing work related accidents and diseases.

Objectives of the legislation are:

• to secure the health, safety and welfare of persons at work
• to protect persons at work against risks to health or safety
• to assist in securing safe and healthy work environments
• to eliminate at the source risks to the health, safety and welfare of persons at work.

The legislation provides for the involvement of employees and employers, and associations representing employees and employers, in the formulation and implementation of health and safety standards.

It stresses the principles of greater workplace health and safety, equitable compensation and early rehabilitation for accident victims, which must lead to the development of a healthier, safer and more productive workforce.

The key is cooperation, and the achievement of these principles has been placed squarely at the feet of all concerned – employers, workers, health service providers and the government.

Further information about OHS is available from the following websites.

Australian Capital Territory – http://www.workcover.act.gov.au

New South Wales – http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au

Northern Territory – http://www.worksafe.nt.gov.au

South Australia – http://www.workcover.com

Queensland – http://www.workcoverqld.com.au

Tasmania – http://www.workcover.tas.gov.au

Victoria – http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au

Western Australia – http://www.workcover.wa.gov.au