Links
Australian government links
A variety of government websites, both OHS specific and not, have useful OHS information.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Federal Organisations
The Office of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC)
The Federal government in 2005 replaced the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission, the federal tripartite (government, employer and worker reps) statutory body for occupational health and safety, with the new tripartite body, the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC). Whilst the ASCC website is still under construction, it should still have national standards (on which regulations are based), codes, industry based information and links to international organisations.
The Federal government in 2005 replaced the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission, the federal tripartite (government, employer and worker reps) statutory body for occupational health and safety, with the new tripartite body, the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC). Whilst the ASCC website is still under construction, it should still have national standards (on which regulations are based), codes, industry based information and links to international organisations.
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. (Note: the site has recently been redesigned, and there seem to be a few problems with links).
ACT - WorkCover
This is the Australian Capital Territory's WorkCover site. It has information on their 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. (Note: the site has recently been redesigned, and there seem to be a few problems with links).
ACT - WorkCover
This is the Australian Capital Territory's WorkCover site. It has information on their 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 - WorkCover
This is a relatively new website from the Tasmanian government, covering OHS - Workplace Standards Tasmania, Workers Compensation and 'OHS Professionals' - under which they have included OHS representatives.
This is a relatively new website from the Tasmanian government, covering OHS - Workplace Standards Tasmania, Workers Compensation and 'OHS Professionals' - under which they have included OHS representatives.
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.
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.
National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority
The Statutory Authority regulating Commonwealth, State and Territory coastal waters with accountability to the relevant Ministers. The role of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) is to administer offshore petroleum safety legislation. Management of Occupational Health
The Statutory Authority regulating Commonwealth, State and Territory coastal waters with accountability to the relevant Ministers. The role of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) is to administer offshore petroleum safety legislation. Management of Occupational Health
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.
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 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 9662 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.