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Define OH&S and discuss why it is important in a professional workplace

OH&S stands for Occupational Health and Safety. It is simply a procedure that a company sets up as it is concerned with protecting the health, welfare and safety of all the individuals that are engaged in the workplace. The individual hence used in the definition may include customers, suppliers, nearby communities or in simple terms any body who are in a range of impact from the workplace environment. So, a company enforces OH&S to promote and maintain the best of degree in terms of mental, physical or social well-being by assigning job that employee can adapt both psychologically and physiologically, and reducing risk that may result in any adversity (Coppee 2012). As Coppee (2012) suggested, it is important in a professional workplace as; - It can help prevent serious injuries, illness or even death. This reduces any direct or indirect expenses that are usually associated with unhealthy practices. This can eventually benefit the society and also the nation. - Moreover, there is a duty of reasonable care and failure to follow as such can be taken as a criminal offence. This is enforced through preventive, punitive or compensatory effects of the law.

List and describe at least 3 pieces of Australian legislation that relate to Occupational Health & Safety.

The 3 pieces of Australian legislation that relate to the Occupational Health & Safety are:

i)

Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 This act basically seeks an overall improvement in the terms and conditions of OH&S, rehabilitation facilities and workers compensation by a) setting achievable targets and monitoring performance that improves in overall the health and safety standards; b) Advising the ministers on all the issues that relate to the above scenario (a).

ii)

Safe Work Australia Act 2008

This act overlooks the overall improvement of health and safety at workplaces and the workers compensation arrangements. The regulatory body that overlooks this act i.e. Safe Work Australia is governed by commonwealth, state and territory governments bound by an intergovernmental agreement. The body is a genuine representation of the partnership that is amongst unions, industry and the government.

iii)

Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992 This legislation also functions with relation to the compensation of workers and OH&S but to the employees that work in the maritime industry And also for related purposes, employed on prescribed vessels and offshore industry mobile units that are engaged in trade or commerce within a Territory, interstate or overseas. This act is also commonly understood as Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) Act 1993.

Describe the responsibilities of employers in your states health and safety legislation.

The responsibilities of employers in NSW are as follows (Work Health and Safety Act 2011): Proper orientation, adequate training and constant supervision over staff members to ensure that the safe practices are followed. Provide PPE (Personal protective equipment) that are suitable for different work conditions. Regular checking of the OHS procedure to ensure that all risks of adversity are low. Not failing to meet the legal obligation as stated under NSW Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 and NSW Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001.

Describe the responsibilities of employees in your states health and safety legislation.

The responsibilities of employees in NSW are as follows (Work Health and Safety Act 2011): Following all the OHS policies and procedures set out by the employer. For example- wearing PPE, not behave that may result in adversity for both themselves and others. Taking reasonable care for their health and also for others by behaving appropriately. Reporting any hazards, injuries, incidents, illnesses or other risks and near misses.

Name and describe 3 different types of emergency incidents you may have to respond to at work, within your career field.

Serious Injuries: Serious Injuries may occur from simple hazards like loose wires on the floor or an exposed live wire. I can try and isolate the hazard and notify the safety department - if I see it before the incident. If for unfortunate reasons, somebody gets injured then I have to call the manager on duty who would most probably trained on first aid. If I am a trained on first aid, I could follow the procedure while I wait for the manager.

Disaster: Disasters like fire or others may happen in a workplace. In that case, I would notify the others and follow the evacuation plan. I would go to the designated evacuation place after the disaster and wait for further instructions.

Violent Attack: Violent attack like robbery, hostage or terrorist activities is also likely on any office environment. In this scenario, I must stay quite and follow all the directions. I must not speak until asked for, but I can try and remember as many details about the robber or the perpetrator without making it obvious like staring or inaudible mouth movements.as soon as the robber or other are out of the scene, I can call the police and, on their arrival, give a general direction of what they looked like and what direction they went

Describe a Hazard, a Risk & an Incident and give an example of each.

Hazard: A hazard is a potentially harmful situation which may pose serious threat to the life, health or wealth of employee, other stakeholders or for the organization. Until it is activated the hazard is an accident waiting to happen (Worksmart 2012). For example loose wire on the floor that will for sure activate a trip and fall situation where somebody might break their arm, leg or even neck

Incident: An incident is an undesired event which may have resulted in serious harm had the circumstances been slightly different. For example, a person may have tripped on the loose wire on the floor but was able to maintain his posture and hence did not have any injuries. Then person then records it as an incident.

Risk: A Risk is a probability of an event that any hazard may actually cause harm to somebody. And eventually it may adversely affect the companys ability to achieve its health and safety goals (Worksmart 2012). For example, if the loose wire is in the middle of the hallway then the risk of trip and fall is very high, whereas if its tucked in the corner then the risk reduces to a very low.

Identify, describe & insert 3 commonly used hazards signs, symbols and/or images.

Figure 1:: Electrical Hazard

This hazard symbol denotes the possibility of accidents caused by electricity. This may be put in place where there are live wires, exposed plugs and so on.

Figure 2:: Trip, Slip and Fall

This hazard symbols are put in place where there is a chance of accident due to irregular surfaces, wet surfaces and so on.

Figure 3:: Highly Flammable

This symbol is used mostly in chemicals that can catch fire and combust easily into a bigger one.

Reference Lists Coppee G, H 2012, Occupational Health Services and Practice, ILO, viewed at June 19, 2012,
http://www.ilo.org/safework_bookshelf/english?content&nd=857170174

Safe Work Australia Act 2008 Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992 Work Health and Safety Act 2011, No. 137, 2011 Worksmart 2012, what is the difference between hazard and risk, Worksmart, viewed at June 20, 2012, http://www.worksmart.org.uk/health/what_is_the_difference_between_hazard_and