OCCUPATIONAL

HEALTH AND
SAFETY
ED53 – INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Work in offices is one of the fastest growing
areas of employment today. While the
introduction of the computer into the office has
provided a more stimulating and interesting
work environment it has also introduced some
Occupational Health and Safety issues, that all
employers and workers must take into
consideration.
While the threat to health is less obvious in an
office, than it is in a factory, there are still many
hazards that must be avoided. Office workers
are prone to prolonged repetitive work, poorly
designed work areas, lifting of heavy loads,
inadequate lighting and eyestrain from
constantly viewing computer monitors.
The Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act outlines
the responsibilities of Employers and employees for health
and safety in the work place.
It is important to appreciate that it is not only the
Employer’s job to provide a safe working environment, it is
also the responsibility of the workers to ensure that they
protect themselves and others from harm.
OH&S LEGISLATION MAIN
OBJECTIVES

1. Protect the health, safety and

welfare of people at work.
2. Eliminate risks to health and
safety at their source.
3. Protect the public against the risks to health
and safety caused by people at work.
4. The Act details the responsibilities of
everyone involved in safeguarding the health
and safety of workers
5. This includes Employers, workers,
unions, architects, building owners,
manufacturers and suppliers.
6. Workplace Health and Safety is a
team project, not the responsibility of
any one individual.
Employer’s Responsibilities
Under the OH&S Act the Employer has a duty of care to ensure that
workers, while at work, are safe from injury or risk to health.
The Act states that an Employer must:
1. Maintain a safe work environment.
2. Instigate safe working systems.
3. Provide and maintain safe work equipment.
4. Provide OH & S information and training to
employees.
5. Provide supervisors with information and
training to ensure that they can provide a safe
working environment for employees under their
care.
Employee’s Responsibilities

Not only does the Act set down the responsibilities of the
Employer, it also details the responsibilities of the employee to
ensure a safe working environment.
To this end, the Act states that an Employee must:
1. Take care to protect their own health and safety.
2. Not endanger the health and safety of others through their
actions or lack of action.
3. Use any safety equipment provided.
4. Follow Health and Safety instructions given by
Supervisors or Employer.
5. Not come to work under the influence of drugs or
alcohol.
6. Report any work place health and safety hazards as
they become aware of them.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
PROCEDURES
A planned system of working to prevent
illness and injury where you work by
recognizing and identifying hazards and
risks.
THREE SAFETY STEPS
1. SPOT THE HAZARD
A hazard is anything
that could hurt you or
someone else.
2. ASSESS THE RISK
It means working out how
likely it is that a hazard will
harm someone and how
serious the harm could be..
3. MAKE THE CHANGES
For example, you can
pick up things from
the floor and out them
away to eliminate a
trip hazard.
COMMON HAZARDS
1. PHYSICAL HAZARDS
2. MECHANICAL HAZARDS
3. CHEMICAL HAZARDS
4. ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARDS