Safety Matters - Rail, Tram and Bus Union of NSW
Safety Matters - Rail, Tram and Bus Union of NSW
Safety Matters - Rail, Tram and Bus Union of NSW
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This Section <strong>of</strong> the Guide looks at a number <strong>of</strong> key areas that union<br />
delegates <strong>and</strong> OHS representatives will need to monitor as part <strong>of</strong> their<br />
role in ensuring that OHS is managed systematically <strong>and</strong> in compliance<br />
with legal <strong>and</strong> other industry st<strong>and</strong>ards. Delegates <strong>and</strong> OHS representatives<br />
will need to gather details <strong>of</strong> policies <strong>and</strong> procedures specific to their workplace.<br />
This Section simply provides general guidance on some <strong>of</strong> these key areas.<br />
Workplace Inspections as Part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Consultative Process<br />
SECTION TWO<br />
<strong>Safety</strong> <strong>Matters</strong> A Guide for Workplace OHS Representatives<br />
Workplace inspections conducted by the OHS committee/OHS representative<br />
can provide significant information to assist management in its duty to provide<br />
a healthy <strong>and</strong> safe workplace.<br />
Under Section 18 <strong>of</strong> the Act an OHS committee/OHS representative has<br />
the following functions:<br />
• to keep under review the measures taken to ensure the health, safety<br />
<strong>and</strong> welfare <strong>of</strong> persons at the place <strong>of</strong> work<br />
• to investigate any matter that may be a risk to health <strong>and</strong> safety at the<br />
place <strong>of</strong> work<br />
• to attempt to resolve the matter but, if unable to do so, to request an<br />
investigation by an inspector for that purpose’.<br />
The objective <strong>of</strong> the OHS committee’s/OHS representative’s involvement in<br />
workplace inspections is prevention. Regular inspections <strong>of</strong> the workplace<br />
encourage consultation <strong>and</strong> provide information about health <strong>and</strong> safety<br />
issues.<br />
Workplace inspections are planned systematic examinations <strong>of</strong> the workplace<br />
for the purpose <strong>of</strong> identifying hazards, assessing the risks involved <strong>and</strong><br />
controlling those risks in order to comply with the legislation. The need for<br />
inspections can be diverse <strong>and</strong> therefore should be organised according to the<br />
reason for the inspection. These may include:<br />
(a) routine inspection <strong>of</strong> the workplace to identify hazards<br />
(b) specific inspections <strong>of</strong> particular work areas or procedures<br />
(c) investigations <strong>of</strong> accidents/incidents<br />
(d) investigation <strong>of</strong> complaints<br />
(e) follow up inspections after changes to plant, work activities <strong>and</strong><br />
processes.<br />
BACK TO CONTENTS<br />
RAIL<br />
Monitoring OHS Programs <strong>and</strong> Procedures<br />
72<br />
TRAM AND BUS<br />
U N<br />
I O N