1.
In the state that you live in what is the name of the Act that employees and employers
must adhere to regarding workplace safety?
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) (the Act) provides a framework to
protect the health, safety and welfare of all workers and others in relation to NSW
workplaces and work activities.
2. What are 5 steps an organisation do to ensure they remain compliant with their OHS /
WHS obligations?
Keeping a Tidy Workplace
Equipment Inspection, Maintenance, and Selection
Create a Safety Plan
Training and Qualifications
Record Keeping
3. Describe what your OHS / WHS legislation says in relation to an employer's
responsibility to keep a workplace safe
Workplace Health and Safety legislation requires employers to provide a safe and
healthy workplace for their workers and contractors. This include : Maintaining
the workplace in a safe condition (ensuring fire exits are not blocked, emergency
equipment is serviceable and worksite is generally tidy)
4. What is meant by the term "reasonably practicable"?
It means that which is, or was at a particular time, reasonably able to be done to
ensure health and safety, taking into account and weighing up all. relevant matters
including: (a) the likelihood of the hazard or the risk concerned occurring.
5. List 4 obligations workers and other persons have whilst at work?
work safely
follow instructions
ask if you’re not sure how to safely perform the work
use personal protective equipment (PPE) in the way you were trained and
instructed to use it
6. What are the requirements on an organisation in regards to consulting with workers re
OHS / WHS?
identifying and assessing risks to health and safety; deciding ways to eliminate or
minimize those risks; deciding on the adequacy of facilities for worker welfare;
Proposing changes that may affect the health and safety of workers;
When deciding on procedures for:
a. Consulting with workers
b. Resolving work health and safety issues
c. Monitoring workers’ health
d. Monitoring conditions at any workplace under the management or control of the
PCBU
Providing information or training for workers; and
Other activities as described under the regulations.
7. What is due diligence and how does it relate to OHS / WHS
Due diligence includes taking reasonable steps to get knowledge and keep up-to-
date about WHS problems. understand the business, including WHS hazards and
risks. ensure the business has the right resources and processes in place, and uses
those resources and processes to eliminate or minimise WHS risks.
8. What could be the result of failing to comply with OHS / WHS laws, policy, procedures
or practices, excluding the legal ramifications
a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), or a senior officers'
conduct, negligently causes the death of a worker
an action is taken that places a person at risk of injury, illness or death
steps are not taken to avoid a risky situation from occurring
there is a failure to comply with regulatory requirements.
9. According to the OHS / WHS legislation in your state, what are the legal ramifications of
failure to observe the legislation
On-the-spot fines
Known as penalty notices in NSW, these monetary fines can be issued by inspectors for
more minor offences that are not serious enough to warrant prosecution.
Company Director Receives Six Months Imprisonment
In one example involving jail time, the courts found a company director in Sydney guilty
of breaching the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (nsw) following the death of a
worker after a fall from a forklift.
10. Who are the duty holders within your organisation?
(If you are not employed, you are to identify the duty holders in your training
organisation)
Manager
Supervisor
Head Chef
11. List 5 benefits of keeping records in relation to OHS / WHS
Hazardous chemicals on site and an asbestos register if there is any at your
workplace.
Registration documents for machinery.
Testing, maintenance and inspection details for specific types of equipment.
Hazard identification, risk assessment and control processes you have in place at
your workplace. This is particularly useful in showing you are actively keeping
your workplace safe by being proactive.
Training and inductions for workers and contractors
12. What records must be kept in relation to OHS / WHS within an organisation?
Health and safety policies and procedures
Standard operating procedures
Organisational code of conduct
Training and induction records
Register of Injuries
Workplace health and safety committee meeting minutes
Equipment records including inspections, maintenance and repair
Hazard identification and risk assessments
Workers compensation and rehabilitation
Safety inspection and audit reports
Hazardous substances material safety data sheets
First aid and medical records
Register of hazardous substances
Safe work method statements
Copies of completed incident reports
13. List 4 requirements a business has in relation to providing a Health and Safety
Representative?
giving them time off at normal pay, and any necessary facilities and assistance, to
enable them to fulfil their role
talking with them about health and safety issues
giving them access to all information regarding hazards and risks affecting the
work group
allowing them to attend interviews about work health and safety, if the worker
consents
14. List 4 powers and functions of a Health and Safety Representative?
Investigating complaints from work group members.
Representing members of your work group in work health and safety issues.
Monitoring compliance by the 'person conducting the business or undertaking'
(PCBU)
giving feedback to the PCBU about how it is meeting its duties
15. List 5 requirements an employer has in regards to training and providing information to
workers regarding OHS / WHS
Provide and maintain safe plant (machinery and equipment).
Provide and maintain safe systems of work - for example, controlling entry to
high-risk areas and providing systems to prevent falls from heights.
Ensure the safe use, handling, storage or transport of plant or substances.
Keep workplaces that you manage and control in a safe condition, free of risks to
health (for example, ensure fire exits aren’t blocked, and the worksite is generally
tidy).
Provide suitable facilities for welfare at any workplace you manage and control.
16. List 3 sources / publications you can access to keep up to date with WHS legislative
requirements.
Sources of Work Health Safety information are like books, newspaper articles,
flyers, pamphlets, and educational videos explaining the regulations set out by the
WHS Act.
17. List 3 internal and 3 external sources for WHS information / help
Ineternal:
a. Government documents and publications (33%),
b. the Media (32%)
c. Employer/ Industry associations (31%).
External:
a. another staff members including other team leaders, OH&S representative and
human resources staff.
b. Company OH&S guidelines and manual.
c. Incident reports.
18. What are WHS compliance codes? List 2 compliance codes that may apply to your
workplace.
Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation
First aid in the workplace
19. Describe a key WHS procedure that relates to a workplace of your choice.
Staff Training
By providing training to its employees, the organisation increases its capacity to
achieve long-term goals and to meet the ongoing needs of the community.
Training can benefit both individual employees and the organisation by improving
motivation, commitment and retention.
