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Safety Matters - Rail, Tram and Bus Union of NSW

Safety Matters - Rail, Tram and Bus Union of NSW

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What safety representatives<br />

<strong>and</strong> unions can do<br />

Employer’s responsibilities<br />

The most effective way to prevent bullying is for employers to send a clear<br />

message that workplace bullying is unacceptable.<br />

Under <strong>NSW</strong> OHS laws employers are legally obliged to:<br />

SECTION FOUR<br />

<strong>Safety</strong> <strong>Matters</strong> A Guide for Workplace OHS Representatives<br />

• Consult with their employees over workplace hazards. Consultation is the<br />

most effective way for employers <strong>and</strong> employees to develop policies <strong>and</strong><br />

procedures that counter bullying in the workplace.<br />

• Conduct a Risk Assessment to measure the risks <strong>of</strong> bullying in their<br />

workplace <strong>and</strong> take action to minimise the risks associated with<br />

Psychological Hazards. A checklist below is available to measure the<br />

existence <strong>of</strong> any psychological hazards in your workplace.<br />

• Not engage in unacceptable behaviour or condone unacceptable behaviour<br />

that contributes to the risk <strong>of</strong> bullying.<br />

What safety representatives can do<br />

Employees should not have to put up with any form <strong>of</strong> bullying or harassment.<br />

If you are a safety representative or union representative you should be proactive<br />

in preventing bullying in your workplace. There are laws that exist to protect<br />

people speaking out about bullying <strong>and</strong> harassment in the workplace.<br />

The following are some steps that you <strong>and</strong> your work colleagues can take to<br />

minimise <strong>and</strong> prevent bullying.<br />

Acknowledge that bullying can exist in any workplace. The Dignity <strong>and</strong> Respect<br />

in the Workplace Charter sets out the steps necessary to create a harmonious<br />

<strong>and</strong> bully-free workplace. Support <strong>and</strong> involvement from senior management<br />

is essential in effecting change to prevent bullying before it becomes a problem.<br />

Occupational Health <strong>and</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> Committees <strong>and</strong> OHS Representatives are<br />

ideally placed to deal with these issues.<br />

Under workplace OHS consultative arrangements you:<br />

• Must be consulted about minimising risks in your workplace.<br />

• Will be able to obtain high-level support, through workplace consultation<br />

OHS Factsheets<br />

90<br />

RAIL<br />

TRAM AND BUS<br />

U N<br />

I O N

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