Study Guide for Cxc
OHS Related To The IT Environment
How will the new safety laws affect your business – an industry approach
With the public consultation period drawing to a close, the harmonised safety laws across Australia are one step closer to becoming a reality. With only nine months to go until the new laws commence operation, it is important to assess the impact of the new laws and whether your business is in a position to comply.
Significant change for the information technology industry
One of the changes in the Workplace Health & Safety Act that businesses in the information and technology industry should pay particular attention to is the broader requirement to consult and coordinate. As there is now a duty on the “person conducting the business or undertaking” (PCBU) to consult with “workers” and not just “employees”, your business must now consult, so far as is reasonably practicable, with its contractors and sub-contractors and their employees, who are directly affected by a health and safety matter. For example, if your business engages contractor or employees such as programmers or technicians to service clients at their premises, your business will now have a clearer obligation to consult with your clients on safety related issues that may impact on your contractors or employees. It will be important to ensure that your contracts reflect arrangements to deal with this obligation.
The new Workplace Health & Safety Act will also introduce significant changes to the management of safety in Australia, including: * Duty of Care - an expanded duty of care on all businesses and undertakings * Leadership – a new positive duty on “officers” of businesses to ensure safety by exercising ‘due diligence’ * Reputation – an approach to enforcement through greater use of adverse publicity orders * Intervention at the business – greater avenues for intervention by unions and the regulator at your business * Shift in attitude – by the regulators and
How will the new safety laws affect your business – an industry approach
With the public consultation period drawing to a close, the harmonised safety laws across Australia are one step closer to becoming a reality. With only nine months to go until the new laws commence operation, it is important to assess the impact of the new laws and whether your business is in a position to comply.
Significant change for the information technology industry
One of the changes in the Workplace Health & Safety Act that businesses in the information and technology industry should pay particular attention to is the broader requirement to consult and coordinate. As there is now a duty on the “person conducting the business or undertaking” (PCBU) to consult with “workers” and not just “employees”, your business must now consult, so far as is reasonably practicable, with its contractors and sub-contractors and their employees, who are directly affected by a health and safety matter. For example, if your business engages contractor or employees such as programmers or technicians to service clients at their premises, your business will now have a clearer obligation to consult with your clients on safety related issues that may impact on your contractors or employees. It will be important to ensure that your contracts reflect arrangements to deal with this obligation.
The new Workplace Health & Safety Act will also introduce significant changes to the management of safety in Australia, including: * Duty of Care - an expanded duty of care on all businesses and undertakings * Leadership – a new positive duty on “officers” of businesses to ensure safety by exercising ‘due diligence’ * Reputation – an approach to enforcement through greater use of adverse publicity orders * Intervention at the business – greater avenues for intervention by unions and the regulator at your business * Shift in attitude – by the regulators and
References: http://www.auzspec.com.au/p255716073_.html http://www.holdingredlich.com.au/workplace-health-safety/ohs-harmonisation-information-technology-industry-april-2011 http://molsmed.gov.tt/Services/Agencies/OSHADivision/tabid/259/Default.aspx