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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General Duties <strong>of</strong> Employers<br />
Part 2, Division 1 <strong>of</strong> the OHS Act 2000 outlines the general duties <strong>of</strong> employers<br />
<strong>and</strong> others in <strong>NSW</strong> workplaces.<br />
This is an important part <strong>of</strong> the Act in terms <strong>of</strong> establishing OHS responsibilities.<br />
Section 8(1) states that an employer must ensure the health, safety <strong>and</strong> welfare<br />
at work <strong>of</strong> all the employees <strong>of</strong> the employer therefore, placing the ultimate<br />
responsibility for OHS on the employer. It broadly describes some <strong>of</strong> the<br />
activities an employer needs to undertake to meet their responsibilities. These<br />
include providing the following:<br />
Safe premises<br />
SECTION TWO<br />
<strong>Safety</strong> <strong>Matters</strong> A Guide for Workplace OHS Representatives<br />
The employer must ensure that any premises that they control <strong>and</strong> where<br />
employees work, are safe <strong>and</strong> without risk to health. This includes maintaining<br />
safe entry <strong>and</strong> exits to workplaces <strong>and</strong> ensuring they are clear <strong>of</strong> obstructions.<br />
The workplace itself must also be kept in a condition that is safe <strong>and</strong> without<br />
risk. This could include such things as placing equipment in appropriate storage<br />
areas, cleanliness <strong>and</strong> removal <strong>of</strong> spilled substances to prevent slips, trips <strong>and</strong><br />
falls, preventing obstructions at fire doors etc. Emergency evacuation <strong>and</strong><br />
containment <strong>of</strong> fire can be assisted through effective housekeeping.<br />
Safe plant <strong>and</strong> substances<br />
The employer must provide employees with plant <strong>and</strong> substances that are<br />
suitable <strong>and</strong> safe for the job <strong>and</strong> that do not create any risk when used in<br />
a correct manner. Plant includes machinery, related equipment, appliances,<br />
implements or tools <strong>and</strong> any components or fittings. Substances can be natural<br />
or artificial or in solid, liquid, gas or vapour form.<br />
The employer must make arrangements to ensure that any plant <strong>and</strong> substance is<br />
properly used, h<strong>and</strong>led, stored <strong>and</strong> transported. They must also make available<br />
adequate information about substances including any research or relevant tests<br />
that have been carried out <strong>and</strong> any conditions necessary to ensure that the<br />
substance is safe <strong>and</strong> without risk. This could include information about the<br />
dangers <strong>of</strong> the substances, how to use them safely <strong>and</strong> what to do if there is an<br />
accidental spillage.<br />
BACK TO CONTENTS<br />
Monitoring OHS Programs <strong>and</strong> Procedures<br />
4<br />
RAIL<br />
TRAM AND BUS<br />
U N<br />
I O N