Survival Tool One
What's occupational safety and health?

Occupational safety and health is mostly known as "OSH". This is about all the rules and rights that protect you and your health in the workplace.

That means that your employer (the person who gives you a job) has to make sure you're safe and you also have to know what's what.

So what's to say that your employer will look after you in the workplace? Or that you have to worry about OSH? Well, your safety and health is protected by the law.

WARNING: LEGAL STUFF COMING UP BUT KEEP READING

The Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 (the Act) covers nearly all workplaces in WA, except mining. Employers, workers, unions and the Government wrote the Act together. It keeps getting updated and everybody has the right to be involved.

While the Act is a bit general, there are three very important rights you need to be aware of. The Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 tell you how to obey the law.

The Act gives you three very important rights:

  1. You have the right to know about OSH rules and laws.
  2. You have the right to be involved with OSH.
  3. You have the right to refuse unsafe work.
REMEMBER:

  • BY LAW, OSH IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY

Activity One
1. What does OSH stand for?
Occasional Safety Hazard
Overtime Safety Hours
Oversize Safety Helmet
Occupational Safety & Health
Occupational Safety Hazards

2. Why is OSH so important to know about?
It is important to know how to avoid injury
It is important to help your co-workers avoid injury
OSH is the law
All of the above
None of the above

3. What documents set out OSH laws?
Occupational Safety and Health Code and Guidance Notes
Occupational Health and Safety Bill and Legislation
Occupational Safety and Health Act and Regulations
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations and Codes

4. Three rights are given to workers under OSH laws. These include:
  1. The right to know about OSH roles and the law
  2. The right to be involved in OSH
  3. Name the missing right:
    The right to access all areas of a workplace
    The right to buy Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
    The right to be allowed to perform any job at the workplace
    The right to refuse work that is unsafe