Workplace Health and Safety

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WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY KNOW SAFETY, NO PAIN INITIATIVE The Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 was established for the purpose of making workplaces and work practices safer for everyone. The Act details the laws relating to the health and safety requirements affecting most workplaces and work activities in Queensland. It seeks to protect the employee’s health and safety and the health and safety of all occupants within a workplace. MEETING EMPLOYER OBLIGATIONS Employers have a duty of care to all employees and individuals who visit their place of work. They can fulfill this duty by: • Maintaining workplace conditions that are safe and without risk • Providing adequate amenities for the health and safety of employees at the workplace • Providing current information, instructions and the training and supervision necessary to enable employees to perform work in a safe manner without risk • Ensuring safety when employees use, handle, store and transport equipment and substances • Ensuring a good system of records housekeeping • Responding to relevant safety suggestions, and correcting unsafe conditions/practices • Appointing and electing workplace health and safety officers and workplace health and safety representatives • Ensuring fire, evacuation and first aid procedures are in place • Providing personal protective equipment where it is not practicable to control hazards by other means. • Enforcing the wearing of PPE and providing instructions for its use. MEETING EMPLOYEE OBLIGATIONS Employees have an obligation to assist management in ensuring the health and safety of all individuals within the workplace. They can do this by: • Complying with all safety instructions and procedures • Maintaining a high standard of housekeeping records • Reporting accidents and dangerous occurrences • Using PPE where appropriate and as instructed
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