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SAFETY - A matter of life and death
29 May 2009
Occupational health and safety (OHS) is not just about being clean. It’s about ensuring a safe and healthy working environment. There are very important laws about OHS at work. These laws say it’s the employer’s responsibility to make sure that employees are safe at work. In some states, the employer can be charged with industrial manslaughter if a worker is killed at work.
- It’s the employer’s job to keep work safe. The employer must provide:
- a safe system of work;
- safe plant/equipment and substances;
- information, training, instruction and adequate supervision; and
- safe entrances and exits.
Safety first – or expect the worstIt is very important to put safety first – because accidents at work are all too common. Sadly there are over 600,000 injuries and illnesses in Australian workplaces each year — that’s 1890 every day. (ABS 2005-06). Sadly, during 2005–06, 270 people died in Australia while working for income. In addition, another 123 persons died from an injury incurred while travelling to or from work, and 41 persons who were killed as a bystander to work activity. The industries with the highest number of deaths were agriculture, forestry and fishing, transport and storage industries, followed by construction. (SafeWork Australia 2008).
Young workers most at risk of injuryYoung workers are more likely to be injured at work than any other age group. 15 to 24 year olds in all types of employment – casual, part-time, labour hire, work experience, structured workplace learning or apprenticeships – have the highest rate of injury, and their injuries are more likely to result in hospitalisation. (Victorian Workcover Authority)
Why are young workers at higher risk of being injured?No one knows exactly why young workers have more accidents. Here are some of the possible reasons why young people are more at risk:
- New employees may not have the experience, knowledge or skills to take appropriate steps to protect themselves and their workmates from injury
- New employees may not have been properly trained or are not being properly supervised
- New employees may not ask questions or speak out if there is a problem for fear of looking incapable or losing their job
Link: NSW Youthsafe website Visit this link for interesting case studies and activities.
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