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Occupational Health and Safety
Janet Marshall - OHS Rep
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The union movement has a proud history of campaigning for improvements in the health and safety of working people. The AEU is committed to working to improve the health and safety of all those involved in education by supporting its members and the Health and Safety Representatives who represent their interests on health and safety matters.
Unions play a crucial role in securing safer, healthier workplaces. Research shows that unionised workplaces in Australia are three times more likely to have an OHS Committee; and are twice as likely to have done an OHS Audit. International studies also show that there is better compliance with OHS laws and reduced injuries where there are unionised HSRs. This is because unions train, resource and protect HSRs, enabling them to organise their workplace and deal with OHS issues.
The Membership Services Unit provides telephone advice and support on a wide range of issues including occupational health and safety. Any member of the AEU can contact the MSU who will either resolve the issue on the spot, or refer the member if a more specific response is required.
Organisers support and advise members on general industrial and professional issues, including occupational health and safety. Each organiser is linked to a geographical patch and supports the workplaces in that area.
The Health and Safety Representative Support Officer is a post funded by WorkSafe to work on developing support to Health and Safety Representatives in workplaces. It is shared by Janet Marshall and Bob Maguire - email them or phone (03) 9417 2822. There is a specific section of the website for Health and Safety Representatives below.
Any of these services can be accessed by calling 9417 2822 or 1800 013 379 during office hours Monday to Friday.
News
Theatre Project - 'DUST' - Williamstown 28-30 November 2008
DUST is an artistic interrogation of the stories behind the headlines and legal battles of asbestos-related diseases.
HSR e-Newsletters
A regular AEU e-newsletter is produced for Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs).
Safety Matters
Safety Matters is the regular column in the AEU News magazine, reporting back on current issues and developments in occupational health and safety.
Making it Public
This is a new electronic newsletter aimed at helping employers, managers and workers in the public sector with information on workplace health and safety issues.
Campaigns
National Review of OHS Legislation
The AEU supports the campaign by the ACTU to demand the highest standards for all workers in the national review of model OHS legislation.
Zero Occupational Cancer Campaign
The AEU Victorian Branch is joining with other national and international unions in the Occupational Cancer / Zero Cancer Campaign.
Principals OHS Survey
A survey of more than 200 principals found that half of schools do not have an elected health and safety rep, and many want more training.
OHS Policy
Union Charter of Workplace Rights
The rights and responsibilities in the provision of decent and fair health, safety, compensation and rehabilitation systems and practices in Australian workplaces are set out in the ACTU policy.
Occupational Health, Safety, Compensation and Rehabilitation Resolution.
AEU Branch Conference on 11 April 2007 showed its commitment to OHS in the workplace by passing this policy.
OHS Legislation
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
The OH&S Act was first passed in 1985 and underwent a major revision during 2004. Read more about it here.
Designated work groups
The provisions relating to Designated Work Groups are contained in Part 7 Divisions 1-3 of the 2004 Act.
Duties of employees
AEU advice sheet based on Section 25 of the Act.
Election and role of health and safety representatives
Members of a workgroup can by law elect a health and safety representative (HSR), who is entitled to consult on health and safety issues on their behalf and represent their interests.
Health and Safety Consultative Process
In every workplace there should be a mechanism for discussing and resolving issues concerning Health and Safety but this can take a variety of forms depending on the nature of the school or centre.
Health and Safety Representatives
Health and Safety Representatives Support program
This area has information about support to the role of Health and Safety Representatives
Role of the Health and Safety Representative
This section contains a description of the role of health and safety reps.
Rights and Responsibilities of Health and Safety Representatives
Here is a table outlining the differences between the rights and responsibilities of HSRs and the duties that the management OHS nominee has in law.
Reporting a Workplace Assault
Any incident that occurs in a workplace, regardless of how minor the incident or whether or not an injury or illness results, should be recorded. You can find a reporting form here.
Step by step guide for new health and safety representatives
Aeu advice sheet.
AEU advice sheets
The AEU has produced some advice sheets on OHS.
VTHC OHS Reps FAQs
Health and Safety Representatives might find the frequently asked questions useful from the VTHC website.
Events and Professional Development
International Workers' Memorial Day
International Workers" Memorial Day is 28 April every year - a global union campaign day to remember the dead and to fight for safer, healthier, better work.
Networks
Here you will find information on networks, forums and other events.
OHS Training
Health and Safety Representatives are strongly encouraged to attend an approved five-day training course as soon as possible after election. The AEU also runs some general training courses with OHS relevance.
Statewide OHS Reps meeting
The 2008 Health and Safety Representatives Conference will be held on October 30, during WorkSafe Week (27-31 October). It is organised by the VTHC and funded by WorkSafe.
Resources
OHS Publications
This section has resources and links that may be of use to OHS representatives.
Website Links
This section has links to some useful websites on OHS.
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