A variety of government websites, both OHS specific and not, have useful OHS information.
NOTE: if you can't find the information you're looking for on any of the sites below, then try GOVS (short for Government Search) which is a modified version of Google search that produce only Australian government results. It allows the user to now search through government websites within Australia and filter out any foreign or commercial information and services.
NOTE: if you can't find the information you're looking for on any of the sites below, then try GOVS (short for Government Search) which is a modified version of Google search that produce only Australian government results. It allows the user to now search through government websites within Australia and filter out any foreign or commercial information and services.
OHS in Victoria
WorkSafe Victoria is the occupational health and safety arm of the Victorian WorkCover Authority (VWA). It takes the lead role in the promotion and enforcement of health and safety in Victorian workplaces. The VWA website has information on the OHS Act and regulations, provides access to WorkSafe publications such as Codes and Guidance materials, and has a number of industry pages reporting WorkSafe's activities in these programs.
Other useful Victorian websites for OHS information are:
Victorian Legislation Repository
This repository contains Versions of all the Principal Public Acts and Principal Statutory Rules of Victoria, including all the Occupational Health and Safety legislation - go first to our section on Law to get a summary of the Act and regulations. A link to that particular piece of legislation is on every page.
Hard copies of the OHS Act, other Acts and Regulations can purchased from Information Victoria (1300 366 356 505 Little Collins St, Melbourne).
This repository contains Versions of all the Principal Public Acts and Principal Statutory Rules of Victoria, including all the Occupational Health and Safety legislation - go first to our section on Law to get a summary of the Act and regulations. A link to that particular piece of legislation is on every page.
Hard copies of the OHS Act, other Acts and Regulations can purchased from Information Victoria (1300 366 356 505 Little Collins St, Melbourne).
Department of Human Services (Victoria)
Health information from the Victorian, eg on infectious diseases. Also check out the Better Health Channel which has health related articles, features and even recipes.
Department of Health (Victoria)
Health information from the Victorian, eg on infectious diseases. Also check out the Better Health Channel which has health related articles, features and even recipes.
Department of Health (Victoria)
Information and latest news on issues such as infectious diseases, etc. Also the Victorian Government Health Information website is the gateway to information relating to the provision of health services in Victoria.
Gas and Electricity: In August 2005 Victoria's two energy safety watchdogs - the Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector (OCEI) and the Office of Gas Safety (OGS) - merged to become Energy Safe Victoria (ESV). This is an independent technical regulator responsible for electrical and gas safety and equipment efficiency in Victoria, developing safety standards for the electrical and gas industry in Victoria. Electricity or gas related queries are answered either by email or phone
Environmental Protection Authority - The EPA website has information on waste disposal (including asbestos), pollution and how to report it.
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
Enquiry Line: 9am–5pm Monday to Friday
Phone: 1300 292 153
TTY: 1300 289 621
Email: enquiries@veohrc.vic.gov.au
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
Enquiry Line: 9am–5pm Monday to Friday
Phone: 1300 292 153
TTY: 1300 289 621
Email: enquiries@veohrc.vic.gov.au
Federal Organisations
Safe Work Australia (SWA) is an independent statutory body established on 1 November 2009 . Its primary function is to progress the model work health and safety laws in partnership with state and territory governments, employer associations and unions, who are represented as Safe Work Australia Members. SWA also has a role in workers compensation The site includes information on the Model legislation, documents released for public comment and FAQs on the Model WHS laws, industry information and statistics and links to jurisdiction regulators and international organisations.
Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA)
The Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA) is a group comprising the General Managers (or their representatives) of the peak bodies responsible for the regulation and administration of occupational health and safety in Australia and New Zealand.
The Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA) is a group comprising the General Managers (or their representatives) of the peak bodies responsible for the regulation and administration of occupational health and safety in Australia and New Zealand.
Heads of Workers' Compensation Authorities - Australian and New Zealand (HWCA)
This website will be an important source of information given the move to harmonisation in both the areas of OHS and Workers' Compensation.
Other OHS jurisdictions
Like Victoria, each jurisdiction around Australia has its own OHS body, and an associated website. The websites of the other OHS jurisdictions have specific information related to the OHS laws in that jurisdiction, but also alerts, guidance material, FAQs, and more that OHS reps and workers will find useful
ComCare
ComCare covers Federal Government employees. This site can provide useful information for OHS reps under the ComCare system (such as ComCare regulatory and guidance material). The site has features which may be useful for other reps, for example "The virtual office", which is a web-based tool that provides a range of information on office-based hazards. The site has a separate section for health and safety representatives. In addition, Comcare now has a free quarterly e-Newsletter: go to this page to subscribe and to access past editions (Note: the site has recently been redesigned, and there seem to be a few problems with links).
ACT - WorkSafe
This is the Australian Capital Territory's OHS site. Formerly WorkCover ACT, this merged with the ACT Work Safety Commission in late 2010. It has information on the ACT legislation, hazard alerts and more.
ComCare
ComCare covers Federal Government employees. This site can provide useful information for OHS reps under the ComCare system (such as ComCare regulatory and guidance material). The site has features which may be useful for other reps, for example "The virtual office", which is a web-based tool that provides a range of information on office-based hazards. The site has a separate section for health and safety representatives. In addition, Comcare now has a free quarterly e-Newsletter: go to this page to subscribe and to access past editions (Note: the site has recently been redesigned, and there seem to be a few problems with links).
ACT - WorkSafe
This is the Australian Capital Territory's OHS site. Formerly WorkCover ACT, this merged with the ACT Work Safety Commission in late 2010. It has information on the ACT legislation, hazard alerts and more.
NSW - WorkCover
The NSW equivalent of WorkSafe Victoria, there are many valuable resources to be found on this site. There is a particularly good sub-site here for OHS and young workers.
The NSW equivalent of WorkSafe Victoria, there are many valuable resources to be found on this site. There is a particularly good sub-site here for OHS and young workers.
Northern Territory - NTWorkSafe
NTWorkSafe is the administrative and regulatory arm of the Northern Territory Work Health Authority, the statutory body established under the Work Health Act.
NTWorkSafe is the administrative and regulatory arm of the Northern Territory Work Health Authority, the statutory body established under the Work Health Act.
Queensland - Workplace Health and Safety
OHS in Queensland sits in the department of Industrial Relations. Apart from information on legislation, the site has interesting material on particular industries, such as the hospitality industry.
OHS in Queensland sits in the department of Industrial Relations. Apart from information on legislation, the site has interesting material on particular industries, such as the hospitality industry.
South Australia - SafeWork SA
The South Australian equivalent of WorkSafe Victoria - as well as a range of publications, this site also has useful information on hazards and industries - SAfer Industries. In addition, the SafeWork SA has a separate section for health and safety representatives, with FAQs and resources.
The South Australian equivalent of WorkSafe Victoria - as well as a range of publications, this site also has useful information on hazards and industries - SAfer Industries. In addition, the SafeWork SA has a separate section for health and safety representatives, with FAQs and resources.
Tasmania - Workplace Standards
The Tasmanian OHS regulator. The Tasmanian site for workers compensation and related matters is WorkCover Tasmania.
The Tasmanian OHS regulator. The Tasmanian site for workers compensation and related matters is WorkCover Tasmania.
Western Australia - WorkSafe
A very useful website with lots of information from the Western Australian Government - including safety resources for both secondary and tertiary students, a section for small business, and more.
A very useful website with lots of information from the Western Australian Government - including safety resources for both secondary and tertiary students, a section for small business, and more.
Other government websites
National Chemical Information Gateway
Developed by the Federal Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH), this site provides information on chemicals in Australia. Information has been arranged into topics such as household chemicals, chemicals in agriculture, databases, and more to help focus your search.
Developed by the Federal Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH), this site provides information on chemicals in Australia. Information has been arranged into topics such as household chemicals, chemicals in agriculture, databases, and more to help focus your search.
NICNAS
The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) assesses industrial chemicals for their health and environmental effects and makes recommendations for safe use. Assessments of more than 1,000 chemicals are available free on this site.
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
The APVMA is an Australian government authority responsible for the assessment and registration of pesticides and veterinary medicines.
The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) assesses industrial chemicals for their health and environmental effects and makes recommendations for safe use. Assessments of more than 1,000 chemicals are available free on this site.
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
The APVMA is an Australian government authority responsible for the assessment and registration of pesticides and veterinary medicines.
National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority
The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority is a Commonwealth Statutory Agency regulating the health and safety, structural integrity and environmental management of all offshore petroleum facilities in Commonwealth waters, and in coastal waters where State powers have been conferred. It replaced the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority on 1 January, 2012. Webpage on Health and Safety legislation and regulations.
The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority is a Commonwealth Statutory Agency regulating the health and safety, structural integrity and environmental management of all offshore petroleum facilities in Commonwealth waters, and in coastal waters where State powers have been conferred. It replaced the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority on 1 January, 2012. Webpage on Health and Safety legislation and regulations.
SAI Global
- publishers of Australian Standards
Standards Australia (Standards Association of Australia) is partly funded by government, and produces a large number of technical standards on subjects as varied as lasers and fire safety. This is the Standards Australia website.
Standards Australia (Standards Association of Australia) is partly funded by government, and produces a large number of technical standards on subjects as varied as lasers and fire safety. This is the Standards Australia website.
This link takes you to their 'on-line store' where you can purchase all Australian, ISO and IEC Standards, plus a range of publications from other national and international organizations. The publications come at a cost, and if there are standards relevant to your workplace, the employer should have copies. Note that standards are only compulsory if they are called up in a regulation.
Union members in Victoria wishing to look at a particular standard should ask their OHS officer/organise to contact Renata at the VTHC OHS Unit (03 9659 3511).
Victorian Environment Protection Authority
This is the website for the Victorian EPA. On the site find information on how to dispose of asbestos, paint and old chemicals.
Victorian Environment Protection Authority
This is the website for the Victorian EPA. On the site find information on how to dispose of asbestos, paint and old chemicals.