Occupational Health and Safety
Creating a safe work environment
Occupational health and safety is the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers by establishing and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment.
Occupational health services include:
- Identification and assessment of the risks from health hazards in the workplace.
- Providing advice, training and education on occupational health, safety, ergonomics, and protective equipment.
- Providing first aid and emergency treatment.
- Planning and designing workplaces to ensure the adaptation of the worker to the work is promoted.
- Monitoring of workers’ health in relation to work.
Creating a safe work environment is critical to the success of your business, and is one of the best ways to retain staff and maximise productivity. Implementing safe practices and installing safety equipment have a cost but the effect of not taking action can close a business. As a business owner, you have responsibilities regarding health and safety in your workplace. You need to ensure that your business doesn’t create health and safety problems for your employees, customers or the public.
New Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation commenced in 2012 and includes a model WHS Act, regulations, Codes of Practice and a national compliance and enforcement policy. Each state and territory is responsible for regulating and enforcing WHS laws. Safe Work Australia is the national body in charge of developing Work Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation policies. See Safe Work Australia.
