Conducting regular health and safety audits is the way enlightened companies are maintaining safe work environments and staying out of court. And what is more the overwhelming majority of these audits are being conducted by independent experts who can provide the sort of service only available from a third party. One of our customers said recently [...]
One of our most popular requests is for help with Workplace Health and Safety as it relates to the Aged Care industry. Spare a thought for the care worker who injures themselves while trying to stop an elderly patient from falling. Or the nurse in the alzheimer unit who dislocates a knee after slipping on waste-matter [...]
Induction training is a key element to the OHS policy and framework within any enterprise. Any business that does not conduct OHS training as part of an induction program has effectively failed to meet its OHS obligations under the law of the state within which it operates. The induction should form part of the suite [...]
Each State has Occupational Health and Safety legislation that sets out legal responsibilities of employees. While these vary between states, Safety Concepts has summarized them as these golden rules:
Changes to the Commonwealth OHS regulatory framework came into effect this month. The changes have been quite controversial with plenty of political debate, particularly in NSW and Victoria, about potential for confusion where dual coverage under a commonwealth and state legislation may exist. Some see something more sinister; a way for the federal government to wind [...]
We have had a few people operating businesses in NSW asking about consultation, OHS committees and whether they need to have one. Well it depends. First of all, as an employer responsible for the welfare of your employees and visitors you have the duty to consult with employees on the procedures that should be followed to reduce [...]
In what is great news for anyone in the construction industry Queensland, NSW and Victoria have finally got their act together to recognise each others safety induction systems. From 1st of January 2007, health and safety eductaion training for the construction industry is recognised in three states. That means Queensland’s Blue Card, Victoria’s Red Card [...]
New Commonwealth regulations covering the high risks of Major Hazard Facilities commence in March 2007. Safety Concepts has had a close look at the detail and discovered there is a big shock in store for the unprepared. From March it is a requirement for employers in charge of major hazard facilities to have in place their own [...]
One step closer to a National Safety Culture NSW and Victoria have agreed to takes steps toward a universal WorkCover Scheme including establishing one center to cater for employers who have operations in both states. Whilst there is no move at this point to merge the financial resources the move toward a multi state claims [...]
If you hold a NSW Certificate of Competency to operate equipment ( cranes, forklift, front-end loader, pressure equipment, rigging or erect scaffolding) that was issued prior to1997, you should convert to a National Certificate of Competency. You had better be quick because your time is running out. You only have until September 2, 2006 to change over, after [...]
