OHS

In conjunction with WorkCover NSW, The Outdoor Media Association has developed an OHS program to assist installation and production members to meet their risk management responsibilities.

The objectives of the program are to:

  • Improve the competency of supervisors in risk management principles.
  • Educate supervisors working within the industry on how to better communicate and consult with employees in identifying and controlling identified hazards and risks.
  • Improve accuracy levels of risk assessments, allowing for improved documentation of risk controls.
  • Create an ongoing resource that addresses language and literacy barriers for employees working in high risk situations.

The program is available to download from the Member Access page, using the login ohs.training@oma.org.au; Password: ohs2009.

New Forms

There are eight new forms that can be customised for your particular needs:

These forms should be available in each workplace, and all staff should know how to use them, and their location.

Safe Work Instructions

There are ten new Safe Work Instructions:

These all contain a page for your employees to sign to acknowledge they have been instructed in the safe working method. It is highly recommended you do this.

Guidance Paper

Finally, a Guidance Paper has been prepared for Installers and Maintenance staff. The paper is intended as a guide on elements of the outdoor sign industry, and the hazards surrounding some high risk activities.

It contains links to all the relevant State Acts, Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice, as well as the Hierarchy of Control for Working at Heights, general sign design principles, working near traffic and pedestrians, and much more.

This paper will be updated as necessary. Please click here to download the Guidance Paper.

OHS and the Outdoor Media Industry

Occupational health & safety laws are subtly different in each state, however the basic principles of all are consultation and risk management.

Consultation means that an employer must consult with their employees (including fulltime, part time and casual employees) to enable the employees to contribute to the making of decisions affecting their health, safety and welfare at work. Such decisions would include changing work systems or practices, purchasing new plant or substances, undertaking risk assessments or introducing risk control measures.

Consultation involves providing employees with relevant information and giving them the opportunity to express their views. These views are to be valued and taken into account by the employer.

Consultation can take place through an OHS committee, an OHS representative or by another arrangement that have been agreed upon by the employer and the employees.

Risk management is the process of recognizing situations which have the potential to cause harm to people or property, and doing something to prevent the hazardous situation occurring or the person being harmed.

There are some differences in state legislation relating to injury management and rehabilitation, and members should consult each state's regulator for current information. Please follow the links below.

NSW - http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/

QLD - http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/

SA - http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/

WA - http://www.workcover.wa.gov.au/

VIC - http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/

Tas - http://www.workcover.tas.gov.au/

The OMA looks at the occupational health and safety (OHS) of its members from an industry perspective, and has an OHS Group comprised of representatives of member organisations. This Group meets regularly to discuss issues, review members needs, and to make recommendations to the OMA Board on OHS initiatives.

Advancing National Safety is the newsletter of the ASCC. It provides information on the work of the Council, including research, events, and recent publications.

Volume 6 - October 2007 edition is now available online at:

http://www.ascc.gov.au/ascc/NewsEvents/Newsletters/

SafeWork South Australia's January 2008 newsletter can be viewed by clicking here.  The newsletter reports on current OHS and IR news for workplaces in South Australia.

 

The new issue of Advancing National Safety - The Newsletter of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council has just been released. Topics covered include:

Outcomes of the Seventh ASCC Meeting,

National Safe Work Australia Awards,

Annual Mesothelioma Report,

Student Work Placement Guide, and

Ninth Comparative Performance Monitoring Report.

http://www.ascc.gov.au/ascc/NewsEvents/Newsletters/