DSPR2 SEM HS1: Web Research Task

Qld Government's Workplace Health & Safety Website: http://www.dir.qld.gov.au/workplace


The name of the act that relates to Workplace Health & Safety in Queensland is the: Workplace Health & Safety Act 1995:
http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/W/WorkplHSaA95.pdf

The purpose of this Act is to provide both Employer & Employee with workplace guidelines and practices to create a safer working environment for all.

The main aim of the Act is to state the laws in regards to health and safety requirements affecting the workplace, & work duties and to protect your health and safety at your place of work. It sets out specific obligations to reduce the risk of a person’s death, injury or illness as a result of a workplace accident by way of regulations and codes of practices. To ensure that safe practices are adhered to the Work Health & Safety Board employ the services of Workplace Health and Safety Officers for assisting all Businesses with 30 or more employees all facets of safe practices and also to:

• advise the employer of health and safety of their workplace
• inspect the workplace for hazards and unsafe or unsatisfactory work practices or conditions
• educate workers about workplace health and safety
• investigate workplace incidents
• support inspectors in their duties.

The Regulations and Codes of Practices that are utilised by the Health & Safety Officers are strict guidlines or a how/what/where/when/why of preventitve measures implemented to combat injury or fatality in the workplace. http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/W/WorkplHSaR97.pdf

The Board also appoints Health & Safety Inspectors to assess and enforce adherence to the Act.

Ministerial notices are urgent workplace warnings. They are issued when a situation occurs that puts someone at imminent serious risk of harm at, or near, a workplace. A notice may set out methods of work or other things to prevent or minimise exposure to the risk. A notice overrides any existing regulation.