1. BSBOHS 509A:Ensure A Safe Workplace
Occupational health, safety, and security programs make significant contributions to the achievement of corporate goals by reducing costs related to absenteeism and workers’ compensation, building good will in the community, protecting assets, and improving productivity

2. Occupational Health And Safety (OHS)
The physical, physiological and psychosocial conditions of an organization’s workforce, related to aspects of work and the work context

3. Benefits of OHS
The implementation of safety and health standards reduces accidents and illnesses which reduces the amount of production time lost
It increases the productivity, costing less to produce products or services
Cost savings – fewer claims for workers’ compensation

4. Benefits of OHS (Continued)
Fewer injuries and illnesses lead to improved productivity and employee morale
While employees feel safe at work – more productive and engaged
Safety concerns – major motivation factor of unionization
Secure work environment can attract qualified employees

5. Benefits of OHS (Continued)
Effective security measures protect business assets – physical assets such as buildings and equipment, financial assets, or human assets

6. Operational Responsibilities
Depending on the size and nature of the organization, responsibility for health, safety and security functions are assigned to individual or entire departments

7. Workplace Health Issues
Chemical Hazards
Physical Hazards
Biological Hazards
Substance Abuse

8. Hazards
Circumstances, procedures or environments that expose individuals to possible injury, illness, damage or loss

9. Chemical Hazards
A physical or health hazard to workers who are in manufacturing processes
For example, asbestos, corrosives, pesticides, gas fumes, or solvents
OHS administration requires to eliminate or reduce the harmful effects

10. Physical Hazards
Electrical current, excessive noise, too much or too little light, radiation, and vibrations
Exposure can have a long-lasting negative effects on worker’s health and productivity
Over-exposure can be fatal
Use of computers can be ergonomic injuries
Note: The placement of the keyboard relative to the height of the employee’s chair can affect the occurrence of a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD).

11. Biological Hazards
Such as bacteria, molds, contaminated water, and dust to cause illness
Long-lasting effects or fatal

12. Substance Abuse
Substance abusers – employees who come to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Increased absenteeism and the cause to accidents, injuries or deaths
Can cause the employers lawsuits when they endanger the lives of co-workers, vendors, and customers
Lower morale for employees who have to take their slack

13. Job-related Stress
Occurs when employees do not have the capabilities and/or resources to accomplish their job requirements and cannot control the circumstances in which they must operate

14. Symptoms of Stress PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL MENTAL Headaches Mood swings
Forgetfulness
Indigestion
Irritability
Inability to concentrate
Fatigue
Depression
Disorganization
Intestinal problems
Hostility
Poor judgement

15. Workplace Health Programs
Health and Wellness Programs
- Depending on the size and financial conditions of the employers, the services and delivery vary
- Some include educational programs for weight control, smoking reduction, and onsite gym, and also gym memberships

16. Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
Cost effective benefits providing a variety of counselling and support services
E.g. Legal and financial counselling
Psychological counselling
Alcohol and drug counselling
Crisis support
EAP is useful after violence or death and a layoff

17. Drug Testing Programs
Drug test – jobs such as the use of machinery, equipment or vehicle
Requires to begin after developing a substance abuse policy

18. Workplace Safety Issues
General Duty Standard
Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
Occupational Noise Exposure Standard
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Lockout/Tagout
Blood-Borne Pathogens

19. General Duty Standard
Employers have to provide a safety work environment
Employees also have to oblige all OHS requirements

20. Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
Employers have to inform their employees of the dangers of chemicals used in the workplace

21. Occupational Noise Exposure Standard
Allowable noise and identifies procedures for measuring noise and audiometric testing for employees in noisy environments

22. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Employers to provide appropriate garments and equipments for dealing with different types of hazards such as compressed gas, radiation, explosive substances, and ammonia
PPE also requires the employers to train workers in the proper use and maintenance of the equipment

23. Lockout/Tagout
Designed to reduce injuries and deaths by preventing machinery or equipment from starting unexpectedly during repairs and maintenance

24. Blood-Borne Pathogens
A microorganism in human blood that can cause disease.
Health care workers are at risk by blood and other body fluids (such as HIV)
A written exposure control plan which advises employees of the steps to prevent or reduce the effects of exposures

25. Australian OHS Law
Common Law – (judge-made law) duties one individual or group owes to another
Employers, employees, contractors, manufacturers and suppliers all have common law duties with regard to OHS

26. Criminal Law OHS incidents can lead to criminal law charges
For instance, a workplace death may lead to a charge of manslaughter

27. Civil Statue Law Known as ‘legislation’ made by an act of parliament
Individual statues – Acts
E.g. the Occupational Health an Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991
OHS legislation covers issues relating to the workplace environment, the work performed and the people involved
Note: In Australia, each state and territory has its own legislation and OHS authority which is responsible for implementing legislation, inspecting workplaces and prosecuting legislation breaches.

28. Risk Management
The process of identifying all hazards in the work or workplace, followed by an assessment of the associated risks and the implementation of effective measures to control those risks
Risk – the potential outcome of injury, illness, damage or loss resulting from a hazard

29. OHS auditing
A systematic examination against established criteria, conducted regularly to identify deviations from the OHS management system and determine whether these deviations can compromise health, safety and productivity

30. References
Bogardus, A.M. 2004, Human Resources Jump Start Human Resources Basics, The Best First Step Toward a Career in Human Resources, SYBEX Inc., Alameda, CA