The health and community sector encompasses public and private hospitals, nursing homes and other aged care facilities, home care services. Workers in the health and community sector can be exposed to a wide range of hazards which can have serious effects on their health and/or safety. This section provides more information for workers in this sector (scroll down).
There has been plenty of research which shows that unionised and organised workplaces have a better OHS record than un-unionised sites as these sites are far more likely to have well-trained and resourced elected OHS Reps, joint OHS Committees and support from the union. This applies not only to traditional 'blue collar' workplaces, but workplaces in industries like education too.
WorkSafe Victoria has industry webpages for
- where you can find information, advice, guidance material, such as material on Manual Handling, patient handling and the Home Care Industry OHS guide, and much more.
SafeWork Australia has information for healthcare and social assistance sector detailing the number of workers, claims and fatalities.
Last amended June 2020