This section identifies a range of workplace health and safety issues to provide information, publications, support, OHS committee members and guidance materials to members, delegates, Health and Safety Representatives, organisers and officials.
Some safety signs below indicate a number of hazards that may exist in workplaces.
The Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 and related regulations commenced 1 January 2012. The Act has a clear objective of achieving the highest possible standards of occupational health and safety.
The Act includes basic principles to guide how health and safety issues should be managed. The first principle requires to achieve as far as is possible the elimination of avoidable risks and the control and mitigation of unavoidable risks to the health and safety of workers.
Two further principles promote the participation of employees and their representatives in occupational health and safety matters. They are:
The Act recognises and outlines the vital role Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) and Deputy HSRs play in representing the health and safety interests of workers. In all Australian jurisdictions it is widely acknowledged that HSRs can and do make a real difference in having health and safety matters addressed and therefore achieving better OHS outcomes.
To support these principles and to encourage more workers to be represented on OHS issues, the Act offers options of how workers can be represented by HSRs and Deputy HSRs, provide for the involvement of workers and their representatives in health and safety decisions, and outlines a process for the resolution of health and safety issues.
The Unions NT Health and Safety Representative Pocketbook Guide details the setting up of designated work groups, workers representation, the election of HSRs, their roles and functions, consultation on OHS matters and record keeping for the purposes of supporting HSRs to perform their functions for their work group members. The Pocketbook is available for your information in the sub menu for this page.
The Pocketbook’s content reflects the legislation which has applied to NT industry since 1 January 2012.
The Unions NT Health and Safety Representative (HSR) Pocketbook Guide details:
The current Unions NT HSR Pocketbook Guide reflects the new arrangements under the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act and Regulations.
View HSR Pocketbook Guide here
The role of the Work Health and Safety Advisory Council is established by the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act, which came into force on 1 January 2012.
The Minister for Justice and Attorney General is responsible for the Workplace Health and Safety Act.
The Work Health and Safety Act provides:
(3) The Council has the following functions:
(a) To keep under review the operations of this Act;
(b) To make recommendations to the Minister on possible changes to
(i) the administration of this Act; or
(ii) standards of work health and safety in the Territory;
(c) At the request of the Minister, to investigate and report to the Minister on matters relating to work health an safety;
(d) To perform any other advisory functions relating to work health and safety as the Minister directs.
Section 4 of the Work Health and Safety Act provides:
(1) The Council consists of:
(a) The person constituting the Authority undxer section (4) (3) of the Work Health Administration Act; and
(1.b) Not more than ten other persons appointed by the Minister.
(2) The members appointed under subclause (1) (b) must:
(a) Include persons with a wide range of experience extending as far as possible across all major industry sectors in the Territory; and
(b) As far as is practicable consist of equal numbers of representatives of organisations representing employers, and organisations representing employees.
Safe Work Australia is an Australian Government statutory agency established in 2009, with the primary responsibility of improving work health and safety and workers’ compensation arrangements across Australia.
The agency is jointly funded by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments facilitated through an intergovernmental agreement signed in July 2008.
Safe Work Australia is intended to be a genuine partnership between governments, unions and industry. Its aim is that together, Government; Industry and Workers Representatives can work towards the goal of reducing death, injury and disease in the workplace.
Contact
Web site: www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/
Annually, Safe Work Australia seeks to utilise October as focus for initiatives and events around the country.
NT WorkSafe is the administrative and regulatory arm of the Work Health Authority; the statutory body established under the 2011 Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act.
NT WorkSafe is responsible for the Territory-wide regulation of occupational health and safety, dangerous goods, electrical safety, and rehabilitation and workers’ compensation.
NT WorkSafe provides occupational health and safety, mine safety, workers’ compensation and rehabilitation, electrical safety, occupational licensing, dangerous goods, advisory and support services to employees, employers, industry, government and the community.
NT WorkSafe provides guidance on a range of workplace health and safety and workers compensation related matters.
Their website is worksafe.nt.gov.au