OH&S

On this page you will find the information relating to OH&S.

=**Safe Work Australia**= [] Safe Work Australia is the new Federal Govenment agency established to implement the nationally harmonised OHS legislation, policies, codes of practice and licensing systems. Below is document outlining the harmonising process, with key issues highlighted and timelines for implementation. What are the changes in a nutshell? The new laws place reponsibilities upon any **“person conducting a business or undertaking”**,(PCBU), (previously employer) meaning the "duty of care" will effectively cover all employees, contractors, and including labour-hire workers, apprentices, trainees, and work experience students and volunteers (e.g. rural fire service, SES etc) Consultation on OHS isues will be required with all “workers” (including the above types of people),not just “employees”.

In prosecutions and issues of breaches of Duty of Care obligations the onus of proof will now fall on the prosecution to demonstrate the PCBU did not take "reasonable and practicable" steps to prevent the risk to health and safety occurring, supporting the concept of "innocent until proven guilty".

Directors, patners and/or company secretaries are also required to conduct "due diligence". which means even if they ar not the site supervisor, employer, pricipal contarctor they have obligations to ensure correct policies, procedures and practices are understood and implemented as regualr course in the conduct of the business.

Here is link to the Safe Work Australia - Construction web page**.** [] A National Construction Induction Code of Practice has been developed and some resources are avialable at the construction web page to support its inclusion in training packages. Other key documents on the page include:
 * National Standard for Construction Work
 * Prevention of Falls in General Construction - National Code of Practice
 * Housing Construction Falls - Draft Code of Practice
 * National Code of Practice for Precast, Tilt-up and Concrete Elements in Building Construction - National Code of Practice

This act will soon be replaced by the national Work Health and Safety legislation as outlined above. a new natiaon Wok health and Safety regulation will set out how the legislations is going to work, supported by National Codes of Practice.
 * The NSW OH&S act - becoming obsolete very soon**

Here is a summary of the NSW OHS act - 2001 Download a copy Link to the NSW OHS 2000 Act: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/ohasa2000273

=WORKCOVER NSW WEBSITE= [|http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au]

New legislation coming in 2012
In May 2011 the NSW commited to introducing the national model for OH&S legislation. All states and territories have committed to working towards uniform safety standards across Australia.The new work health and safety laws will: WorkCover NSW have prepapred a powerpoint presentation outlining the changes. you can access the poerpoint onthe NSW workCover website by following this link. Note the __powerpoint is password protected__ so you can "__Read Only__". [] Alternatively you can download the power point from here: Note the powerpoint comes with Speaker notes. =CFMEU= is a link to the CFME unions OH&S pages. Lots of useful information here on industrial diseases accidents etc. []
 * reduce compliance costs and red tape for employers
 * maintain NSW’s strong work, health and safety framework
 * keep businesses accountable
 * make laws easier to understand while protecting workers.

As a discussion starter watch this short video on OH&S issues then discuss some of the points raised with your colleagues and fellow students: How would you feel if you failed to watch your friends back and they died as a result if an idustrial accident? media type="youtube" key="FVQA44nwCKs" height="344" width="425"

Preventing slips trips and falls Slips trips and falls a re the most common forms of workplace accidents. In most cases they are preventable. By taking appropriate safety measure, performing risk assessment before starting the job and practicing good house keeping many of the workplace accidents can be avoided or eliminated. Here is a guide to preventing slips trips and falls. Their are many more. Search the NSW WorkCover website for more information
 * Relevant codes of practice:**
 * Code of Practice: [|Occupational Health and Safety Induction Training for Construction Work]
 * Code of Practice for [|OHS Consultation]
 * Code of Practice for [|Risk Assessment]
 * Code of Practice: [|Facade Retention]
 * Code of Practice: [|Overhead Protective Structures]
 * Code of Practice: [|Amenities for Construction Work]

=Current NSW WorkCover: safety alerts website:= []

Take the time to download and view this powerpoint presentation. It is the WorkCover NSW OH&S induction presentation. Ask your trainer to explain any issues you do not understand. Power point presentation.
 * NSW Construction Induction learning materials**



Safety signs: PPE:
 * Steel Capped Work Boots
 * Safety Glasses
 * Hearing Protection
 * Hearing Protection
 * Dust masks (for light sanding) and respirators (for Chemicals, solvents and heavy dust areas)

View this power point presentation for mor information on using your personal protective equipment. [|WorkCover NSW] - [|http://workcover.nsw.gov.au] download the The OH&S 2001 act Australian Safety and Compensation Council - http://www.ascc.gov.au/
 * Useful Links**

Download the WorkCover NSW Subby pack for more details on Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) and risk assessments. You can also purchase SAfe work Procedure documents and SWMS from the safety culture website: URL: []
 * SAFE WORK METHOD STATEMENTS**
 * Subby Pack** - http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/5103894D-1E5A-4438-B1CE-4DD533E4CBDC/0/gen_subbypack_975.pdf

**Noise in the workshop**
can be dangerous. Your own personal hearing can be effectived significanlty, causing whats known as "industrial deafness". While you may not notice it straight away it can catch up on you later in life. ALWAYS wear hearing protection when using any machine even if you think it's safe. Some machines are fitted with noise reducing hoods. Do not operate machines when using the machines. Hearing protection can be Muffs or plugs. Muffs are the most effective while plugs are convenient. Watch the video below for more information on noise in the workshop. media type="custom" key="1184435" Following the link to find out what the noise readings were for Stu's Machines: http://stusshed.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/main-machinery-operating-noise/

Check out this powerpoint on 17 stupid work practices.

Chemical safety
In shopfitting we use a large range of chemicals. Some of these chemical can be very dangerous. These include volatile liquids like paints and lacquers, thinners, turps, metholated spirits, grease and oils. Chemicals can affect your skin as well as your breathing Manufacturers must by law provide information on the chemicals and material constiuents that make up their products. This information is available in Material Safety Data Sheets (or MSDS) If you are unsure of the health and safety risks associated with a particular product you should obtain a MSDS from the manufacturer. More information MSDS is available at this websites: MSDS AUSTRALIA []

SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA []

Queensland department of employment and industrial relations [|http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/subjects/hazardousmaterials/definition/msds/index.htm#labelling]

Fire protection
NSW Fire Brigade: [] Fire Protection Association of Australia excellent website devoted to fire protection [] Download a copy of the Fire exstinguishers fact sheet to find out about diferent types of extinguishers. Have a look at some of these preventable accidents

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 * Testing and tagging of electrical appliances:**

Safe working at heights
NSW WorkCover have devloped and code of practice dealing with safe work on roofs; you can download the 2010 version here or visit WorkCover NSW for the laterst version;

ladders and trestles:
Download and view this NSW WorkCover powerpoint presentation on safe use of ladders. for more details on types of ladders and work platforms you can check out "Basic Building and Construction Skills" 4th Ed. Pearson Education page 335

or visit : []

and

Elevated Work Platforms:
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You might like to see how safe work at heights is conducted in other countries: Check out the all the picures in the powerpoint of this amazing engineering feat below: