WH&S

Workplace Health & Safety

Occupational Health & Safety Act 2000 (NSW) Occupational Health & Safety Regulations

2001 (NSW)

Replaced 1 January 2012

Model Work Health & Safety Act 2010 Work Health & Safety Act 2011 (NSW) Work Health & Safety Regulations 2011

(NSW)

The objects of harmonising work health & safety laws through a model framework are:

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Objectives of Harmonisation

• to protect the health and safety of workers

• to improve safety outcomes in workplaces

• to reduce compliance costs for business

• to improve efficiency for regulator agencies

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The new laws introduce a number of significant changes:

What will be different

A focus on cause and effect giving prominence to the duties of care, consultation and representation

Moving away from the employment relationship as the basis of obligations to ensure all who are involved in work being done will have a duty of care – no loop-holes or gaps

Enhanced protection against discrimination, coercion, inducement and misrepresentation that prevent a person from being involved WHS

Broadened rights for representation and rights of representatives including preserving union right of entry to workplaces

Provision for graduated enforcement, with alternative options for improvement in health and safety

Significant increases in the maximum fines and the introduction of categories of offence

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Employer Replaced by the term ‘person conducting a business or undertaking’ (PCBU)

Controllers, self employed etc.

Are also a PCBU with general duties of care

Employees

Replaced by the term worker which is broadly defined to include anyone who carries out work in any capacity,

General duties of Employers

Will be subject to qualifier ‘reasonably practicable’ and will apply to all PCBUs

Duty of workers

Workers have an expressed duty to take reasonable care of themselves at work

NEW TERMINOLOGY

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OHS Representatives

Replaced by health & safety representatives (HSR) with increased functions and powers

OHS Committees

Will be referred to as health and safety committees with effectively the same functions

NEW TERMINOLOGY

Workplace Defined to include any place where a worker goes, or is likely to be, while at work.

Have access to support, advice and supervision in a safe environment.

Have a working environment free of discrimination and harassment.

Maintain high standards of personal health practices.

Are aware of the requirements of their position.

Have access to appropriate insurance.

We demonstrate this commitment by ensuring all volunteers:

SAFE HOME VISITING

Prior to a match a home safety assessment is conducted. The assessment covers the following:

Pets Smoking Access to the home Risk of physical violence Other indicators

Volunteers will NOT be placed into homes where there is a foreseeable risk

During home visits remember: You are the guest If you feel unsafe at any time, leave the home as quickly

as possible and contact us straight away

MANUAL HANDLING

Any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any object or person,

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CROSS INFECTION

Take common precautions and use common sense.

Visits will not take place if families or volunteers have contracted any infectious disease or illness.

If you commence a visit and discover someone in the family has an infectious disease or illness, end the visit as soon as possible.

Talk to us.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Our programs do not work with families where there is current domestic violence issues.

If any information is disclosed to you during visits please contact us immediately.

If confronted with a domestic violence situation: Keep yourself safe, leave as soon as

possible. Do not become involved in the situation. Contact us straight away. Never enter a house if you hear an

argument.

INSURANCE

All Volunteers are covered by Voluntary Workers Insurance.

In the event of injury to yourself: Notify us as soon as possible. Document the accident/incident in as much

detail as possible. Ensure all receipts and documentation is

retained.

INSURANCE

Volunteers are strongly encouraged to have comprehensive motor vehicle insurance.

Volunteers are liable to damage to their vehicle, others property damage and personal injury to third parties. Barnardos is not insuring you against such damage or personal injury and will not be liable for such costs.