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Occupational health and safety

Safety legislation

Outcomes

This material addresses aspects of the following syllabus outcomes:

A student:

H 1.1 investigates industry through the study of businesses in one focus area.

H7.1 evaluates the impact of the focus area industry on the social and physical environment

Source: Board of Studies (1999) Stage 6 Industrial Technology Preliminary and HSC Courses. Sydney , Board of Studies.

Government legislation

Government legislation is an important issue that need to be considered in all focus areas to ensure the existence and maintenance of a safe working environment.

What is government legislation

The term ‘Act’ refers to legislation debated and passed by Parliament. An Act of Parliament is usually supported with a series of Regulations.

The Act of Parliament that deals with the health and safety of people at work is the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 and the regulations relating to this Act are the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001.

Prior to considering the importance of this Act, it is necessary to consider a number of issues.

Activity 1

Use an Internet search engine, such as ‘Google’ to answer the following question:

What is a Regulation and how does it differ from an Act of Parliament?

Answer

Activity 2

Government legislation is designed to ensure safe working environments and to protect the health of employees.

Go to the NSW government web site that outlines the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000:
http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/fullhtml/inforce/act+40+2000+FIRST+0+N
Answer the following questions:

Outline the objectives of this legislation.
To what work environments does the Act apply?
Outline the duties of employers under the Act.
Outline the duties of employees under the act
Under what circumstances may a WorkCover inspector enter a work place?

Answer

Activity 3

Implications of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000:

The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 governs the rights and responsibilities of workers in industrial settings and students in school workshops. Many responsibilities are considered in relation to the Act.

Use the following web site to access information in relation to some of these responsibilities and answer the following questions.
http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/FAQs/default.htm

Outline the duty of care employees have under the Act
What are the worker's obligations in relation to personal protective equipment (PPE)?
Who has to pay for the personal protective equipment (PPE) required at the workplace?
What happens if an employee refuses to wear personal protective equipment (PPE)?
Outline the suggested procedures in making a workplace complaint

Answer