Act
The legislation that relates to Workplace Health and Safety in Queensland is the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (Qld).
A PDF version of the Act can be found at: http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/W/WorkplHSaA95.pdf
The purpose of the Act is to make Queensland workplaces safer through improved work practices and conditions. It does this by setting out the laws relating to the health and safety requirements of a workplace and by establishing a framework to prevent or minimise workers’ exposure to risk.
Regulation
The regulation that relates to Workplace Health and Safety in Queensland is the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997 (Qld).
A PDF version of the Regulation can be found at: http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/W/WorkplHSaR97.pdf
The Regulation sets out the legal requirements of workplaces to ensure employees are not exposed to undue risk that may cause injury or death. The Regulation also prescribes methods to minimise or prevent exposure to risks.
Codes of Practice
Codes of Practice provide specific, practical advice on how to manage exposure to risk in workplaces that have a recognised increased risk of injury or death.
Ministerial Notice
Ministerial notices are urgent workplace warnings that are issued when a situation arises that puts someone at serious risk of harm at, or near, a workplace.
Such notices override any existing regulation.
General Obligations (as an employee)
Generally, an employee’s obligations under the Act or Regulation are as follows:
- to comply with the workplace health and safety instructions given at the workplace by the employer
- to use all personal protective equipment provided by the employer
- not to misuse or interfere with health and safety equipment provided at the workplace
- not to put at risk the safety of any other person at the workplace
- not to deliberately hurt themselves.
In a Graphic Design workplace, the following health and safety issues may arise:
- Electrical equipment (printers, computers, etc) may be faulty. Equipment should be checked regularly by a qualified electrician.
- Scalpels used for mock-ups need to be properly stored and disposed of to prevent accidental stabs or cuts.
- Heavy items such as boxes of paper should be lifted correctly (knees bent, back straight) to prevent back strain. There should be adequate signage on display where paper is stored.
