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The Clipboard - OHS news, views & information
Harmonisation of OHS laws - An update
Currently in Australia Occupational Health and Safety and Workers
Compensation are matters regulated by the states.
The Commonwealth government regulates OHS and WC in
Federal employment and federal territories (the ACT and NT now have
their own legislation). In
an attempt to “harmonise” this legislation throughout Australia, the
federal government put together a panel to prepare model OHS
legislation. For their part,
the states undertook to amend their legislation in accordance with
this model. The first report
on model legislation was delivered in October 2008, and the second
report in January 2009.
OHS in tough times
A quick perusal of any major newspaper will support the view that the current economic downturn is likely to continue for at least a year or longer. What does this mean for your Occupational Health and Safety programme?
Working From Home - don't forget the OHS Responsibilities
For the employee there are visions of working in their pyjamas, being there for the kids, and no more commuting. For the employer there is the prospect of retaining valuable staff, cutting rental costs, and no more loafing about the water cooler. But both parties have responsibilities under the OHS legislation, and these need to be taken into account when entering into a work from home arrangement.
Discover the benefits of regular hazard inspection
What if you could look into the future, see what causes your next accident, and fix it now? You can! That’s exactly what you are doing when you conduct a hazard inspection.
Toolbox Meetings - A Valuable Safety Tool
Toolbox meetings got their name from the way maintenance or construction employees would sit on their toolboxes while discussing the job they were working on with their supervisor.
OHS Audits - A Measure of Success
A company owner recently asked me how he could ensure that his company’s Occupational Health and Safety programme was complying with legislation, and was meeting current standards and customer requirements. His recent quotes for a supply and installation job with a major builder were rejected because of inadequate safety documentation, and he was keen to get his safety programme up to the expectations of this potential customer.
Induction for new employees - Ensuring a safe start
Quite a few years ago I conducted a statistical survey in Queensland for the Department of Safety that involved reviewing every lost time injury in thirty companies over a period of six months. Over half of all the injuries occurred to employees who had been employed in their current job for less than twelve months.
Controlling construction site hazards
Many manufacturing companies producing building products often find themselves in a “supply and install” contract. Frequently they handle this situation by sub-contracting the installation side of their business; but they are still responsible for their sub-contractors. Of course, many organisations employ their own installation staff, but tend to leave the site safety to the builder.
How would you investigate an accident in your workplace?
The saying “Those who do not learn from their history are doomed to relive it.” has been attributed to many great minds. When it comes to accidents and injuries, it is definitely true.
The Clipboard - feel free to circulate the attached documents within your organisation. If you quote any of these documents, don't forget to reference the source.
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