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Who Can Help

Agencies and Organisations

National

NOHSC(National Occupational Health and Safety Council)

government funded body researching and providing information and support for the development of guidelines, codes of practice, policy and procedures related to OHS issues

ACTU

both generally and the OHS Unit specifically (more information)

State

WorkCover

A State Government agency administers the OHS&W Act (ie OHS issues) as well as managing Workers Compensation claims

Provides information, informs policy development, funds research and innovation projects relating to OHS matters, approves OHS consultants and OHS training. (more information)

DAIS/Workplace Services

A State Government agency which provides enforcement and support of the implementation of the OHS&W Act and Regulations.

Inspectors are employees of Workplace Services (more information)

SA Unions

Provides training, information and support for addressing OHS issues

Host and support specific committees (ie OHS Standing Committee) and projects

WorkCover Approved OHS Training Organisations

Providing training for HSRs

Some may also provide some level of information services

WorkCover Approved Consultants

Provide specialist knowledge to assist HSRs and employers identify, analyse and find solutions/responses to OHS issues

Workplace

HSR

Elected by their co-workers to represent them in OHS matters, with powers spelt out in the OHS&W Act

Union

May have officers with specific responsibilities for OHS

Provide support and information to assist workers to take action on OHS matters

Other workers

eg Job Rep/Shop steward/sub branch secretary, Supervisors, local specialist, Quality Control personnel, Workers trained to use specific equipment, etc

often have a great deal of practical knowledge from experience and/or specific training.

WorkCover Corporation

GPO Box 2668, ADELAIDE, SA, 5000

100 Waymouth St, ADELAIDE, SA, 5000

Phone: 08 8226 3120

Fax: 08 8212 1864

www.workcover.com.au

WorkCover has responsibility for both occupational health and safety, and workers' rehabilitation and compensation.

These are two separate functions, set up under two separate acts - the OHS&W Act 1986 and the WR&C Act 1986.

There are two departments in WorkCover with major relevance to OHS.

OHS&W Services

This department has three areas of responsibility:

  • Education and Training,

  • Consultancy Services

  • Research and Policy

Many of its activities are now focussed on improving OHS in specific industries which have been targeted because of poor performance. 

Of specific relevance to Health and Safety Representatives, this unit:      

  • produces the Health and Safety Bulletin,

  • assesses and accredits the providers and trainers of Health and Safety Representative training

  • assesses and recommends approval of OHS consultants to support Health and Safety Representative

Customer Information Service / Resource and Information Centre

WorkCover Building

100 Waymouth St. Adelaide

Bookshop Phone: 08 8223 2504     

Information Phone: 08 8226 3120

Library Catalogue

This department has responsibility for the:          

  • OHS Bookshop & Resource Centre

  • Information Officers who are available to answer questions re OHS legislation

Staff in Information Services recognise that Health and Safety Representatives have limited time to do research for themselves and will be as helpful as possible. 

The Bookshop only sells publications produced by them.  A bookshop catalogue is available on request.

Workplace Liaison Officer

Phone: 8233 2341

Fax: 8233 2223

Mobile: 0419 824 586

Email: sellis@workcover.com

Role is to provide advice, information, assistance and support to Health and Safety Representatives, employers and others in the following areas:

  • The consultative process

  • Designated work-groups and electing a Health and Safety Representatives, deputy Health and Safety Representatives and Health and Safety Committee;

  • Role of Health and Safety Representatives, deputy Health and Safety Representatives and Health and Safety Committee;

  • Health and Safety Representative training and entitlements;

  • Approved OHS consultants;

  • Writing of plain language publications including the Bulletin, Health and Safety Handbook and information sheets.

Department of Administrative and Information Services

GPO BOX 465, ADELAIDE, SA 5001

Level 3, 1 Richmond Rd, Keswick

Phone: 08 8303 0400

Fax: 08 8303 0477

Statewide Emergency Phone: 1800 777 209

www.eric.sa.gov.au

Workplace Services is a business group within The Department for Administrative and Information Services (DAIS).

Inspectorate

The OHS Inspectorate is part of the Department of Administrative and Information Services (DAIS), working in the Workplace Services Office. 

The metropolitan Inspectors are grouped in industry-based teams, which may also include one or more OHS professionals (ergonomists, occupational hygienists) who are able to give advice.  The teams are:

  • Community Services

  • General Manufacturing

  • Agriculture, Including Food And Beverage Production

  •  Wholesale, Retail, Transport And Storage

  • Construction And Utilities.

Inspectors

  • provide advice on dealing with the act, regulations and codes of practice.

  • assist employers to reach a level of understanding that will ensure compliance.

  • ensure that employers are serious about health and safety in their workplaces.

  • investigate injuries, incidents and complaints by:

obtaining location details - to ensure the region responsible is involved.

obtaining details to define legislative requirements

consultation with both the employer and the health and safety representative

Inspectors

  • are not and cannot be expected to be expert consultants and should encourage employers to develop and seek their own expertise.

  • cannot approve or recommend specific measures except when lifting Improvement or Prohibition Notices or modifying Default or Cease Work Notices.

Complaints

All complaints are recorded.  Anonymous complaints are not considered except in extenuating circumstances. The complainant’s identity will be kept confidential.

Regional Offices

Berri

Mount Gambier

Port Pirie

Whyalla

Industry Services Teams

  • Administers the legislation; and 

  • Assists people to achieve compliance

This division has five industry-based teams, comprising OHS inspectors and OHS professionals. 

They also have an Engineering Service that provides:

  • Design verification

  • Certification of operators (crane & hoist, pressure equipment, riggers & scaffolders).

  • Registration of amusement structures, lifts and assessors

Construction, Utilities and Telecommunications

Community and Business Services  (including Health)

Retail, Wholesale, Transport and Storage                             

General Manufacturing                                                       

Primary Industry, Food and Beverage Manufacturing           

Regional and Specialist Services                                          

Policy Division

This division:

  • provides advice to the Minister and Cabinet on health and safety initiatives;

  • has a research service to identify and monitor trends in industry at the national and international level, particularly in the fields of Workplace Relations and OH&S;

  • supports consultative forums involving the major stakeholders in Workplace Relations and OH&S;

  • and, through its information services, promotes Government decisions that impact on Workplace Relations and OH&S.

ACTU OHS Unit

5th floor 393-397 Swanston St, MELBOURNE, VIC, 3000

Phone:  03 9663 5266

Email: ohs@actu.asn.au

ACTU OHS Unit produce a range of publications as well as providing advice and support to unions on OHS issues.

Unions can call and request information to be sent on any OHS related matter.

Publications include:

Digests

collections of articles and commentaries on a range of subjects

Include material on

  • Asbestos

  • Chemicals

  • The International OHS Scene

  • Electromagnetic Fields

  • Screen based work

  • Stress

  • Call Centres

  • Bullying

  • Hours of Work

Guidelines

thin volumes on specific hazards

Topics include

  • Working in Seasonal Heat

  • Screen based Work

  • Stress at Work

  • Shift Work and Extended Hours of Work

Training Guides

designed to support the training of union members and Health and Safety Representatives

Topics include

  • The Union Health and Safety Representative

  • Controlling Risks from Plant

  • Controlling Hazardous Substances

  • Hazards at Work

  • OHS and Enterprise Bargaining Guidelines

ACTU OHS Unit also has various Information Packages, Discussion Papers and Commentaries.

 

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