What legislation covers occupational health and safety?
The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 (OHS Act 2000) is relevant to all NSW workplaces. It describes the general requirements necessary to ensure a safe and healthy workplace, and is designed to reduce the number of injuries in the workplace by imposing responsibilities on individuals and corporations. Employers, self-employed people, those in control of work premises, machinery and substances, designers, manufacturers, suppliers and workers all have obligations with regard to workplace health, safety and welfare. The OHS Act 2000 requires employers to consult with workers on matters affecting their health, safety and welfare. It provides three options for doing this: • occupational health and safety (OHS) committees • OHS representatives • other agreed arrangements. More detailed guidance is provided in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 and Codes of Practice, such as the Code of Practice: OHS Consultation (2001) and the Code of Practice: Risk Assessment.
