OHS REPS @ WORK

The employer has a duty of care under Section 21(2)(c) of the 2004 OHS Act to 'maintain, so far as is reasonably practicable, each workplace under the employer's management and control in a condition that is safe and without risks to health.'

 

Persons who manage or control workplaces - if these are different to the employer - also have a similar duty under Section 26 of the Act.

 

However, there is nothing more specific either in the Act or in Regulations.  There is guidance provided, however, in the Code of Practice for Workplaces:

Task Lighting

59. Australian Standard AS1680, Lighting and the Visual Environment provides valuable information for workplace lighting and should be considered when lighting workstations.

60. Lighting where people work should be sufficient to allow the work to be performed safely and without straining to see. Individual or task lights, improve the intensity of light in these areas if the natural or artificial lighting is insufficient.

60. The lighting provided should improve the visual environment and be free from glare including reflective glare, flicker and stroboscopic effect which would distract attention from the task area.

Australian standards must be purchased and are quite technical. AS1680, part 1 is 123 pages long. There are other parts on interior lighting, office and screen based equipment lighting, educational and training facilities, and so on.

For good, brief advice on lighting for offices,  Officewise - A guide to health and safety in the office [pdf]  is very useful. This publication covers many office related OHS issues - pages 22-25 give advice on lighting levels and quality of light. This publication is free from WorkSafe, or you can download a copy from the VWA website.