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. WHS regulators and workers' compensation authorities contact information, Comparing workers' compensation in Australia, Workers' compensation for psychological injury, Implementation of the Model WHS Laws Review Recommendations, Review of the model WHS laws - terms of reference, National compliance and enforcement policy, Regulator and inspector powers to gather information, What powers do inspectors have to enter workplaces, What powers to regulators and inspectors have to gather information, Guide to Work Health and Safety for Volunteer Organisations, What is a person conducting a business or undertaking, Guide to work health and safety for volunteer organisations, state or territory work health and safety authority, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), such as an employer, an officer, such as a business owner or CEO. For assurance and learning activities, refer directly to the agency for further information. The penalty is $300,000 or 5 years imprisonment or both. This is designed as an overview of the standards required under WHS laws. SWA is not a regulator and cannot advise you about WHS issues in the workplace. We are supporting workplaces to be mentally healthy, and reduce mental injury. WHSC consists of various staff members from departments within an organisation. policies and services for people of LGBTIQ communities and their However, WorkSafe cannot provide advice on how legislation should be applied in any specific circumstance, and the advice provided by WorkSafe does not constitute legal advice. Understand the powers of an HSR and an employers' obligations. Dahlsens Albury-Wodonga 58 - 98 Bennu Circuit, Thurgoona NSW 2640. acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present. We are also the workplace injury insurer. On 22 September 2021 Part 7 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 was amended to enable HSRs to take photographs or measurements or make sketches or recordings in certain circumstances. We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants and traditional custodians of the land on which we work and live. Provide and maintain safe systems of work - for example, controlling entry to high-risk areas and providing systems to prevent falls from heights. All workers are responsible forthe WHS impact of their own actions. Supporting them to recover and, where possible, return to safe work. Contact your regulatory authority for enquiries about: submitting application and notification forms. Under the OSH law, employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace. A person is not a PCBU where they are engaged solely as a worker or officer of the business or undertaking. the likelihood of the hazard or risk occurring, the harm that would result from the hazard or risk, what a person knows (or should know) about the hazard or risk, and ways to eliminate or reduce it, availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or reduce the hazard or risk, cost of eliminating or reducing the hazard or risk. Our aim is to keep all workplaces (including major emergency workplaces) healthy and safe, and to deliver high quality care and treatment when employees are injured. 1 Malop Street An officer of aPCBUhas a duty to exercise due diligence to ensure a business or undertaking complies with their duties under themodel WHS laws. ), Participating agency for the mine emergency mitigation activity: legislation/regulation and enforcement of Mineral Resources Sustainable Development Act 1990 and regulations (licensing and approvals process for operators of declared mines), Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004, EM Act 2013, EM (Critical Infrastructure Resilience) Regulations 2015, Country Fire Authority Act 1958 and Regulations 2014, Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005, Provide technical support to other agencies in the area of plant, construction, chemicals, dangerous goods, high consequence dangerous goods, explosives (other than ordinance and explosives or firearms at crime scenes), mines, prescribed mines, quarries, on-shore petroleum sites and geothermal or on-shore exploration sites and in relation to occupational health and safety matters regarding extent of damage, immediate threats, and loss of life these matters may present. Regulators work together to implement national campaigns and ensure a consistent approach to compliance and enforcement across Australia. They also have a duty to make sure their work is carried out in line with WHS Management Procedures and any applicable legislation. Mitigation Response (including Relief) Recovery Assurance and Learning It allows duty-holders to determine their approach to achieving compliance with the Act. Licences and registrations. We are in a privileged position to make a difference, and help some of our community's most vulnerable. WorkSafe Victoria families. Keep information and records relating to health and safety of your employees. help duty holders, workers and representatives consult and coordinate on, promote and share information, tools and initiatives, including with other, WHS regulators and workers' compensation authorities contact information, Comparing workers' compensation in Australia, Workers' compensation for psychological injury, state or territory work health and safety authority. Driving heavy vehicles safely in poor road conditions. Question: Research the WHS authorities in your state or territory. federal statutory authority. Omar works in Home and Community Care in a rural location. Participating agency for the following hazardous materials (including industrial waste) incident mitigation activities: Participating agency for the maritime emergency (non -search and rescue) mitigation activity: legislation and enforcement (e.g. WorkSafe Victoria is committed to safe and inclusive work places, Our role is to facilitate this - to listen to our clients, understand the goals and outcomes they would like to achieve and tailor an appropriate response. As a business owner you are legally accountable to manage your workplace health and safety (WHS). 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. If you need help please contact yourstate or territory work health and safety authority. promote and support education and training, help duty holders, workers and representatives consult and coordinate on, promote and share information, tools and initiatives, including with other, WHS regulators and workers' compensation authorities contact information, Comparing workers' compensation in Australia, Workers' compensation for psychological injury, Implementation of the Model WHS Laws Review Recommendations, Review of the model WHS laws - terms of reference, National compliance and enforcement policy, Regulator and inspector powers to gather information, What powers do inspectors have to enter workplaces, What powers to regulators and inspectors have to gather information, state or territory work health and safety authority. We're all responsible for ensuring we maintain a safe and healthy environment. Health and safety representative powers Health and safety representative training PCBU obligations to HSRs Provisional improvement notices (PINs) They also share information, tools, and initiatives. If you need help please contact yourstate or territory work health and safety authority. Monitor conditions at the workplace under your management and control. Seven reasons why strategically managing your health and safety processes will improve your bottom line. Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and [4] WHS Act, section 157. They specify how some duties under the WHS Act must be met and the procedural or administrative processes that must be in place. acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present. [6] WHS Act . You can also promote awareness throughout your organisation by featuring WHS matters in the personal objectives and annual assessment of all employees. Take action to eliminate the hazard The Victorian Government acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present. They also share information, tools, and initiatives. 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. The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for making their own work health and safety (WHS) laws. SWA is not a regulator and cannot advise you about WHS issues in the workplace. Employer Responsibilities. WorkSafe's ambition is to be a world leader in harm prevention and recovery after a workplace injury. Rights and responsibilities; Psychosocial hazard resources; Q. Quad bikes; R. Risk assessment; Remote or isolated work; S. Sedentary work; Sexual harassment; Slips, trips and . Health and safety inspectors can enter your workplace to check your compliance with Australian work health and safety laws. Regulators work collaboratively to set strategic priorities at both a national and local level. Geelong VIC 3220. For your employees, you must provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and free of risks to health, so far as is reasonably practicable. List these and provide a brief description on thier role. See our latest Key work health and safety statistics. Independent contractors may be employees. Safe Work Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. The role of work health and safety committee members is to address and resolve WHS issues. Usually: Examples of a business or undertaking include: See theGuide to Work Health and Safety for Volunteer Organisationsfor more information. The information on this site is of a general nature only. Workers including employees, contractors, subcontractors, labour hire employees, outworkers,apprenticesor volunteers have a duty to: take reasonable care for their own health and safety while at work, take reasonable care to not adversely affect others health and safety. Geelong VIC 3220. the right to speak up about work conditions. CHC30113 WHS/OHS in the workplace. The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for making their own work health and safety (WHS) laws. References [1] WHS Act, section 4 definition of 'regulator'. There is a range of responsibilities within any company from managements overall WHS responsibility to the day-to-day responsibility of individual workers. Review of the model Work Health and Safety lawsFinal Report. Ensure the safe use, handling, storage or transport of plant or substances. A Airservices Ambulance Victoria (AV) Australian Defence Force (ADF) Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) Australian Government Department of Home Affairs Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Australian Red Cross (ARC) Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) B We publish a wide range of resources covering many work health and safety topics. Answer: Victorian WorkCover Authority's responsibilities include: help avoid workplace injuries occurring For small businesses, officers are usually the owners or operators of the business. APCBUhas a duty undermodelWHS laws to eliminate risks to health and safety of workers and other persons so far as is reasonably practicable. Find out about WHS laws that apply in each jurisdiction. 1. We're making it easier for injured workers and employers to interact with us through better automation and online functionality. Review of the model Work Health and Safety lawsFinal Report. Role of the WHS regulators The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for making their own work health and safety (WHS) laws. If you need help please contact yourstate or territory work health and safety authority. 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. This tool provides information about duties under the model WHS laws, including duties for PCBUs and workers in the agriculture industry, how to meet these duties, and hazards you may face working in agriculture. SWA is not a regulator and cannot advise you about WHS issues in the workplace. A 'person conducting a business or undertaking' (PCBU) has health and safety duties under the WHS Act. All jurisdictions, except Victoria, agreed to a national approach to comply with WHS laws during COVID-19. Create a safe workplace Your industry Information and guidance about your industry and the kind of work you do. This is our promise to the Victorian community and the reason we exist. [4] WHS Act, section 31. The Commonwealth, states and territories regulate and enforce WHS laws. Recovery Support Agency (RecSA) to BRV to coordinate approved state-led or supported clean-up of residential property. a business is conducted with a view to make profit and will have some organisation, system and continuity. an undertaking will have some organisation, systems, and possible continuity, but are usually not profit-making or commercial. Safe Work Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. An officer can only comply with their duty by taking an active and inquisitive role in WHS. Everyone has a role in workplace health and safety. The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for implementing, regulating and enforcing WHS laws in their jurisdictions. Geelong VIC 3220. 4.1 Determine WHS priorities in consultation with work group. 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. Everything about mental health in one place. [3] WHS Act, section 154. You have additional specific obligations if your business involves: You also may have obligations to meet particular licensing, registration and certification requirements. SWA is not a regulator and cannot advise you about WHS issues in the workplace. outcome-based objectives (eg, a reduction in the number of manual handling injuries). His job is to visit clients in their homes. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging. The Commonwealth, states and territories regulate and enforce WHS laws. The Crown is also a PCBU for the purposes of the WHS Act. Line managers are responsible for a specific area of your company, including WHS within that area. We develop national policy and strategy about workers' compensation. 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 WorkSafe Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait WHS committee helps to maintain and improve health and safety standards, rules, procedures and establishes the standard of best work practices. Its also important to remember that health and safety obligations dont stop at workers and contractors; they extend to anyone who might be exposed to WHS risk from onsite operations, such as members of the public, visitors, and volunteers. Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and