Occupational Health & Safety

Click the image below to download a high resolution printable PDF version of the OH&S nomination form

Follow this link to view the latest edition of the Victorian Trades Hall Councils Occupational Health & Safety Journal - SafetyNet.

Legal framework:

• The Victorian OH&S Act 2004 and 2014 regulations constitute the main legislative framework for injury prevention in the workplace.
• The purpose of the Act and Regulation is to ensure workplace health and safety with an emphasis on risk management and consultation.
• Compliance codes provide practical guidance to those who have duties or obligations under the OHS Act. They aim to provide easy to understand information on how to comply.
• This information, if applied appropriately, will mean those who follow it are deemed to have complied with their obligations under the OHS Act.

Duties of employers:

The employer is responsible for:

• Maintaining places of work, under the employer’s control, in a safe condition and ensuring safe entrances and exits;
• Making arrangements to ensure the safe use, handling, storage and transport of plant and substances;
• Providing and maintaining systems of work and working environments that are safe and without risks to health;
• Providing the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure health and safety at work; and.
• Providing adequate facilities for the welfare of employees ensuring consultation with employees.

Duties of employees:

Employees must:

• Take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others at the workplace; and.
• Cooperate with their employer to enable compliance with the OHS legislation.

Everyone at the workplace must:

• Not interfere with or misuse items provided for health, safety and welfare purposes;
• Not hinder aid to an injured worker; and.
• Not disrupt the workplace by creating health or safety fears.