Leonard Ngatiah

ABBQ/03531P/2014
ASSIGNMENT
BCOM LOGISTICS

The importance of occupational health and safety

Poor workplace health and safety affects the individual, the workplace and the
Community. Many of the effects of injury or illness are not fully recognized and range
From minor inconvenience through to major consequences. Some of the effects include:
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injury, disease, death

pain and suffering
changes to lifestyle
financial problems
psychological impact of injury/illness
low workplace morale
absenteeism
reduced or poor productivity
poor corporate image
high compensation costs
Community costs.

Responsibilities of the employer

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 the employer must ensure the
health, safety and welfare of their employees when at work by:
o ensuring that any places of work controlled by the employer are safe and without
risks to health, including safe entrances and exits
o ensuring the safe and proper use, handling, storage and transport of plant and
substances provided for use by employees
o providing and maintaining systems of work and working environments that are
safe and without risks to health
o providing information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure
the health and safety of employees
o providing adequate facilities for the welfare of the employees

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 the employer must:
o identify hazards
o assess risks
o eliminate or control risks
o review risk assessments and control measures
o provide instruction, training and information
o provide supervision
o provide personal protective equipment
o obtain information
o provide for emergencies
o provide amenities
o maintain of amenities and accommodation
o provide first aid facilities and personnel

Responsibilities of the employee

Work experience and work placement students are considered to be volunteers while
in the workplace. Students should observe the same responsibilities as normal
employees to ensure their own safety and the safety of others in the workplace.
Under Section 21 of the OHS Act any person must not intentionally or recklessly
interfere with or misuse any personal protective equipment or anything else provided in
the interests of safety. Students have a legal duty under this section of the Act and can
be fined if they breach it. The maximum penalty is currently 30 penalty
units for a first offence.
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000, an employee must:
o take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and
other people at the place of work
o co-operate with his or her employer or other person in the interests
of health, safety and welfare.
o not interfere with or misuse things provided for the health, safety
and welfare of persons at work