WorkSafe has released an updated version of the very useful Summary of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 – A handbook for workplaces, Edition 3, March 2025.
For HSRs that are struggling with an employer or manager who has little knowledge of the Victoria workplace safety legislation, this publication is a great way to begin to improve their level of understanding and make safety consultation easier and more effective.
The summary is specifically written to help duty holders to understand what the OHS Act requires of them. There are sections on the following basic topics –
- General OHS Duties – what are your employer’s OHS duties and obligations
- Representation of employees – including setting up DWGS and the rights and powers of HSRs – also covers the issuing of PINs and directions to cease work
- Consultation – when and how to consult - what good consultation looks and sounds like and how to get it right
- ARREOs – what union representatives can and cannot do when performing a site entry
- Incidents –the employers’ notification duty when a serious incident occurs and the duty to preserve incident sites
- Inspectors – what to expect from a WorkSafe inspector visit and what their role entails
- Glossary – includes definitions from the OHS Act and other useful terms and abbreviations
This is such a useful tool for HSRs to keep on hand to help them explain how the OHS Act works for both employers and DWG members when discussing workplace safety matters with them.
Read more: Summary of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 | WorkSafe Victoria