Resources for OH&S

Prescribed Text:

Only sections 1 and 2 are relevant to the UEENEEE101A unit (also relevant to the UEENEEE137A unit which is slightly different and more aimed towards managing risks in the workplace) [you probably need to do UEENEEE137A as part of some courses also]

• Section 1  Workplace Health and Safety
• Section 2  Document and apply measures to control Work Health and Safety Risks associated with electrotechnology work

While this is the prescribed text you will need to review many other publications such as those published by NSW Workcover:

There are so many of these publications ‘Code of Practice’.  Exactly how the codes of practice, regulations etc interrelate you will need to study the Hampson text.  I do have plans to make some new Powerpoints showing this, but it takes time.  My older powerpoints are for the previous legislation before ‘harmonisation’.

It’s very easy to get stuck in the pyramid of paperwork which is involved with work safety.  Just remember, you are not doing study at Cert IV or Diploma specifically in Work Health and Safety, you are only learning the essential requirements under the Act and Regulations thereto.

Key Points

1. Across Australia is a national harmonisation law which is a significant reform to OHS legislation, as reflected in the new federal Acts called The Work, Health and Safety Acts (WH&S Acts).Today each of the state and territory OH&S laws are replaced by national laws based on the WH&S Act. This approach to OH&S provides consistency and uniform rules for workers anywhere they work across Australia.
2. In general, work health (including psychological health as well as physical health) and safety provides a broad framework incorporating legislation , policies, procedures, obligations and practical means that aim to protect the safety, health and welfare of all persons within a workplace.A workplace is any place where work is being performed.
3. The harmonised principles of the WH&S Acts are as follows:
   • All persons in a workplace must be given the highest level of health and safety protection that is sensibly feasible.
   • Those who manage or control work activities that give rise, or may give rise, to risks to health or safety are responsible for removing or minimising health and safety risks, so far as is sensibly feasible.
   • Employers and self-employed people should develop a ‘hands-on’ approach and take sensible workable measures to ensure health and safety in their business activities.
4. The harmonised principles of the WH&S Acts are as follows:
   • Employers and workers should exchange information about workplace risks to health or safety and actions that can be taken to eliminate or reduce those risks.
   • Employees are entitled, and should be encouraged, to be represented on health and safety issues.
5. There are 8 core values which tie together the consultation and cooperation of all persons in the workplace, workers, and visitors to ensure the safety  and welfare of all people and protect them from illness and injury.  You can read about these in more detail in your textbook (Hampson above) or in the notes in the links below.
6. Health and safety committees should:
   • develop safe systems of work and safety procedures
   • analyse accidents and causes of notifiable occupational diseases, and make recommendations to prevent recurrences
   • review risk assessments
   • examine safety audit reports
   • consider reports submitted by any safety representatives
   • monitor the effectiveness of health and safety training
   • monitor and review the adequacy of health and safety communication within the workplace
7. A workplace health and safety inspector may enter any
   workplace to monitor its compliance with the WH&S Act and to exercise their powers while they are in that workplace.
8. An inspector has the power to:
   • search any part of the workplace
   • carry out inquiries, examinations, surveys and investigations with respect to the degree of risk or the standards of healthy and safety existing at a workplace
   • inspect and copy documents
   • make inquiries into the circumstances and probable causes of workplace incidents
   • require any person in the workplace to give reasonable help
   • require a person to produce specific documents
   • issue improvement or prohibition notices
9. PPE refers to garments, equipment or barrier substances designed to be worn by a person to protect them from exposure to risks of injury or illness.Note that all PPE must be approved by Australian standards.
10. And much much more, as detailed in the Hampson Textbook which you will find in the Library or you can purchase.

 http://www.safework.nsw.gov.au

Safework NSW has the Law and Policy section with the Legislation and Codes and there is much interesting reading there about the new legislation which became law on January 1, 2012.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYJl8iQcwN05W8ugR4jaZMw   (link to SAFEWORK NSW IN YOUTUBE many videos with lots of information there also)

From Victoria (originally from W.A.)

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/students/beyond/Pages/swguide.aspx?Redirect=1

These files must be read with an understanding of the current WHS framework.  That is… Safe Work Australia and then in each State and Territory, a unique vernacular version which may differ slightly from each other, but forming the State regulations under the Commonwealth framework.

The Victorian site is 2013, with some earlier material there also and may not be exactly in keeping with the current legislation but as a guideline for your study it is really valuable material.  You can find quizzes and matching tests there also.

There are many resources here including these pdf files:

Just to show all the chapters in the Hampson textbook (it’s more intended for Electrical trades, Electrician):

• Section 1  Workplace Health and Safety
• Section 2  Document and apply measures to control Work Health and Safety Risks associated with electrotechnology work
• Section 3  Fabricate, assemble and dismantle utilities industry components
• Section 4  Fixing and support devices and techniques
• Section 5  Drawings, diagrams and schedules
• Section 6  Develop and connect electrical control circuits
• Section 7  Wiring systems types, application and terminations
• Section 8  Installation of wiring systems
• Section 9  Electrical installation: Cable selection and coordination
• Section 10  Electrical installation: Arrangement, control and protection
• Section 11  Electrical apparatus and existing circuits: Verification and testing
• Section 12  Introduction to regulations, compliance standards and codes
• Section 13  Electrical Heating
• Section 14  Lighting
• Section 15  Batteries