Information Technology Assessment Task

Year 11 2011.By Zachary McGuire

Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000

Occupational health and safety (OHS) laws in New South Wales (NSW) mainly consist of a number of Acts of Parliament and regulations made under those acts. The main piece of OHS legislation is the NSW OHS Act 2000 witch sets out the basic requirements that employers and employees must follow.

OHS put simply.

Put simply, OHS is the basic guidelines companies, or organisations, must follow to keep the workplace safe. Both employers and employees must follow these set rules when operating in and around the workplace. These guidelines are there to keep the workplace, and its inhabitants safe.

Employers’ Responsibilities

It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that the workplace is kept in a safe and ‘up-to standards’ environment. It is also their responsibility to solve any issues regarding safety. The employer is to ensure that the workplace meets the OHS Act 2000 standards, and that the workers know the regulations, and how the required equipment and procedures are used.

Workers Rights

Also part of OHS is the rights of the worker. The worker is entitle to such things as;TrainingFair paySafe working environmentHassle free workspaceFair working hoursAbility to do their work without endangering othersInformationInstructionSupervisionSet guidelines or procedures

Duties of the Employee

Do their work without endangering othersReport any hazards within the workplace.Co-operate with the employer’s efforts to

control risks.Not interfere with OHS procedures

Accidents

Work cover NSW must be notified of any accident or work-related injury/disease. This will often result in the company being investigated and making sure they are following the correct guidelines of the OHS Act.

Summary

Maintaining accurate OHS records is the law, and it is also part of sound business practice. It assists in the identification of problems in health and safety in the workplace and in finding solutions to those problems. Work cover does not discriminate between small and large businesses, and is only interested in the sole wellbeing of the worker.

Potential Hazards

Some potential hazard are:CordsBad PostureFurnitureLightingAmount of workWork surface heightSeat designKeyboardElectricityWrist supportComputer screenFoot restsGlare and reflectionShadows

Four Common Electrical Hazards

Power SurgeExposed circuitsCordsCombustion

Correct procedure for disconnection

The correct procedure to disconnect computer equipment from its power source is to turn the PC off, turn off the power point, unplug the PC and switch the capacitor off at the rear (most common) of the PC.

Responsibilities of an OHS delegate

Make sure there are no hazards in the workplace environment.

Identify and provide solutions for any hazards present.

Follow up, to make sure hazardous issue is resolved.

Document any hazards, their cause, and their solution, and if/when they were corrected.

The End

That's all folks.