Introduction
What does Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) mean for your workplace? Health and safety law gives everyone the right to a work environment that does not endanger their health or safety. During this training program we will consider and discuss many of the key issues you as a supervisor need to implement in your workplace to ‘Ensure a Safe Workplace’. For example ask yourself:
How do you communicate health and safety issues to your team? Effective WHS consultation is critical when managing health and safety issues in the workplace.
Have you ever completed any WHS training? A good WHS training program brings many benefits to any workplace, as it increases the chance of employees being healthy and safe, which in turn has a positive effect on productivity.
How are hazards identified in your workplace? And what action do you take to eliminate them? Identifying, controlling and reporting hazards is one of the most important parts of your job as a supervisor.
WHS Act 2011
This is an Act of Law it is a national model and was passed by the Commonwealth Parliament. It has two main intentions, first, to confirm that the employer has the main responsibility for health and safety and second, to encourage a cooperative approach.
The main objectives are:
- ensure the health, safety and welfare of workers
- maintain safe and healthy working environments
- eliminate risks
- involve employers and employees in developing health and safety standards.
The Act protects all people in the workplace, including contractors, visitors and volunteers. The legislation sets out to encourage a proactive approach where employers and employees look at how accidents can be avoided.
Avoiding accidents requires identifying hazards and assessing how likely it is they will happen.
Resources
BSBWHS401 – Learner Guide
BSBWHS401 – Powerpoint
