Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) in the workplace. Essay

Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) in the body of crap requires co-operation from both employers and employees to discover that the workplace is a healthy and safe environment. Both employees and employers are indispensable to co-operate by the rights and responsibilities that are set for them.OH&S is the safety procedures in place in every enterprise to see both the health and safety of each and every employee.It is the responsibility of employers, who are legally (due to the OH&S comprise 1996, 2001 amendment) and morally obliged to provide a safe and healthy environment. It is besides the employees responsibility to co-operate with employers in maintaining health and safety at work.Read more Measures that pre expiration fires from starting essayEmployers are unavoidable to-Provide a safe and healthy workplace-Provide and maintain a safe system of work-Provide the required resources (safety clothing & equipment)-Provide information and training for employees to work in a safe and healthy environment-Provide a process to identify, assess and therefore eliminate unsafe practices and hazards-All relevant laws must be followed-Ensure that employees carry bulge workplace rules.In the same way, employees have the right to be provided with the above-mentioned elements from their employers.It is also the employees bargain to abide by these regulations. Any employee who fails to meet their responsibilities can be disciplined under award conditions.WorkCover is also responsible for safety in the workplace. They are required to conduct secureness checks in the workplace to ensure that the OHS act is being followed and that hazards are kept to a minimum.In most states, workers are represented by means of either an OHS representative or an OHS Committee depending on the size of the enterprise.Hazards are categorised into 4 diametrical sections Physical, Chemical, Ergonomic and Biological.It is important to be aware that a hazard does not have to be seen for it to exist. kinda often hazards you cant see such(prenominal) as ultra violet radiation, are altogether appreciated when it is too late to prevent damage.Many hazards have been made known in the workplace. some of these includeExposed wiresPower leads on groundEquipment in walkwaysTemperature often too hot or too coldGlare from windows and lightsThese hazards can be fixed by ensuring that the OHS committee is kept advised of these problems, and they can then ensure that they are fixed, in cases such as exposed wires. Things such as anti-glare screens can help the prevent the glare on the computer screens, and also moving employees desksaway from the air-conditioning vent can help with the temperature problems.Another cause for concern is the ergonomic factors. People do not devolve on in their chairs correctly and are causing backaches and injuries. To prevent injuries you should haveFeet flat on the floorKnees at a 90 degree angleBack at 90-100 degreesRelaxed shoulders a ndForearm supportEmployees should take regular breaks and use their workstations ergonomically so that fewer injuries occur.There are also a few more Acts such as the Anti Discrimination Act (1977) and the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 and Workers honorarium Act 1987, which are all there to hold dear employees in the workplace.The Anti Discrimination Act aims to protect all employees in the work environment from being discriminated against on many things such asRaceColour faithGenderAgeSexualityIf an employee feels as though they are being discriminated against, for any of the fore mentioned things then they should first try to approach the culprit and ask them to stop. If this behaviour continues, or they feel they cannot approach the perpetrator then they should proclaim immediately to their employer or supervisor for further action.The Sex Discrimination Act aims to protect employees from being sexually harassed by person in the workplace. Sexual harassment is any unclaimed a ttention in an incorrect manner, whether it beMaking sexual commentsMaking sexual gesturesAsking someone out on a date continuouslySending inappropriate materialsAgain if this happens, you should approach the perpetrator and let them know how you are feeling. If this behaviour continues, or they feel they cannot approach the perpetrator then they should report immediately to their employer or supervisor for further action.The Workers Compensation Act is where employers insure workers against the possibility of suffering impairment arising out of or in the course of employment. If an injury does occur the worker can apply for Workers Compensation where they can receive money to cover their losses, and to pay for medical treatment. Workers Compensation can also be paid to the families of workers who die because of a work injury.In conclusion, it is evident that co-operation from both employers and their employees is needed to ensure that the work place is a healthy and safeenvironmen t, with the help of legislations along the way.