A handbook for employers Getting help to improve …...A handbook for employers Getting help to...

Edition No. 1 October 2008

A handbook for employers

Getting help to improve health and safety

Contents

WorkSafe Victoria is a trading name of the Victorian WorkCover Authority. This publication is protected by copyright. WorkSafe Victoria encourages the free transfer, copying and printing of this publication if such activities support the purposes and intent for which the publication was developed.The information presented in Getting help to improve health and safety is intended for general use only. It should not be viewed as a definitive guide to the law, and should be read in conjunction with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.

1. Introduction 1

2. Getting help from WorkSafe 2

2.1 Advisory Service 2

2.2 Inspectors 2

2.3 Publications 3

2.4 OHS consulting for small businesses 4

2.5 eNewsletters 4

3. Getting help from unions 5

4. Getting help from employer, trade and industry associations 6

5. Services and support from WorkSafe Agents 7

6. Build in-house OHS expertise 8

6.1 OHS education and training 8

6.2 Employee HSR training 8

6.3 Other OHS training 9

7. Employing or engaging a suitably qualified person for OHS advice 10

7.1 Who is a suitably qualified person? 11

8. External consultants 13

8.1 Engaging an external consultant 13

8.2 Issues to consider 14

8.3 Letting an OHS consultant know what you want 15

8.4 Ensuring the service needed was received 16

8.5 Legal issues 16

Appendix A – Where to find consultants 17

WorkSafe Victoria Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety 1

Introduction1.

The aim of this handbook is to assist employers, particularly in small and medium businesses, get help to improve workplace health and safety and meet their duties in relation to Victorian OHS laws. It may also provide useful information for large businesses, health and safety representatives (HSRs), managers, supervisors and employees.

WorkSafe expects employers to take a proactive approach to improving health and safety, including looking at ways to better identify and control hazards before they cause an incident, injury, illness or disease.

The ways of getting help outlined in this handbook include:

• contactingWorkSafe,unions,andemployer,tradeandindustryassociations• developingthenecessaryOHSexpertiseandknowledgein-house• employingorengagingapersonsuitablyqualifiedtoprovideOHSadvice.

2 Handbook / Getting help to improve heath and safety WorkSafe Victoria

2.1 Advisory ServiceThe WorkSafe Advisory Service provides a range of free services. These include:

• answeringgeneralOHSenquiries• providingadvicetoemployersabouttheirlegalobligations• providingadvicetoemployeesabouttheirWorkSaferights,includingwhat

to do if they are injured• providingadvicetoemployersonWorkSafepolicies(egwhattheymean

and how to set up workplace OHS policies)• providingadviceonWorkSafepremiums,returntoworkandrehabilitation• providingadviceaboutWorkSafepublicationsandanorderingservice• providingadviceaboutlicencestoperformhighriskworkand

construction induction.

2.2 InspectorsWorkSafe inspectors can assist you with workplace health and safety, and help you comply with OHS laws. They can:

• provideadviceonemployerandemployeeresponsibilitiesandrights• supplypracticalguidancematerialonhazardidentificationandriskcontrol• promoteconsultationbetweenemployersandemployeesinhealthand

safety matters.

To ensure workplaces comply with the law, inspectors also carry out regular inspections, during which they may issue improvement or prohibition notices and carry out other enforcement and compliance activities.

Members of the public or people in a workplace (eg HSR, union representative, employee) can ask an inspector to visit a workplace to enquire into alleged non-compliance with Victoria’s OHS laws. When such a request is received, WorkSafe may send an inspector, depending on the circumstances. For further information about inspectors, see WorkSafe publication WorkSafe Victoria inspectors.

Getting help from WorkSafe

2.


2.3 PublicationsWorkSafe has a wide range of free publications designed to help workplaces improve their health and safety and assist employers meet their legal duties and responsibilities in relation to OHS.

Somepublicationstargetspecificindustriesandoccupationswhileothersfocus onbroadertopicsrelevanttoallindustries,suchasconsultation,riskidentification,managing health and safety and WorkSafe policies and procedures.

The following table shows the publications produced by WorkSafe, all of which are available at worksafe.vic.gov.au.

Table 1: WorkSafe publications

Injury hotspots Industry-specificinformationsheetsthatpinpointwherepeople get hurt at work and provide practical solutions for making workplaces safe.

Alerts Short guidance material that describes a work practice or thing that has proven to be dangerous and needs immediate corrective action (eg High visibility shirt catches on fire).

Guidance notes

Short guidance material that details health and safety information on particular topics (eg Q fever prevention).

Tools Checklists, worksheets and other items to assist you complete a task (eg Quad bikes checklist).

Educational materials

Supporting documents such as presentations, posters and information sheets on particular topics.

Your guides Short booklets that provide general introductory information on a given health and safety topic of industry (eg Your health and safety guide to managing young workers).

Compliance codes

Documents designed to help you comply with the law (eg Removing asbestos in workplaces).

WorkSafe positions Short documents that provide WorkSafe’s interpretations ofspecifictermsandrequirementsunderOHSlaw (eg How WorkSafe applies the law in relation to reasonably practicable).

Health and safety solutions

Short safety solutions for a particular topic (eg Aggression in emergency departments).

Forms DocumentsthatneedtobefilledoutandreturnedtoWorkSafeorarelatedorganisation(egIncidentnotificationform,Notificationofasbestosremovalform).

Further publications, including handbooks

Guidance materials that will assist you understand OHS requirements (eg handbooks such as Working in heat, WorkSafe annual reports and summaries of prosecutions).

The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act) and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 (OHS Regulations) are available at legislation.vic.gov.au or by calling Information Victoria Bookshop, 1300 366 356.

2. Getting help from WorkSafe


2.4 OHS consulting service for small businessesVictorian small business operators with up to 50 employees can register for a free three-hour session with an independent health and safety consultant. The consultant will come to your workplace to help identify safety issues relevant to your business and provide useful advice about how to address the issues identifiedinastep-by-stepway.

By getting advice from an independent safety consultant, you can also quickly and easily get an understanding of what OHS legislation means for your business.

You can register online at worksafe.vic.gov.au/smallbusassist or by calling the WorkSafe Advisory Service. The service is also available from some industry associations.

2.5 eNewslettersWorkSafe regularly emails OHS newsletters to various industry groups, including:

• Safety Matters, a newsletter for the manufacturing, logistics, agriculture and retail industries

• Safety Soapbox, a newsletter for the mining, quarrying, construction and utilities industries

• Making It Public, a newsletter for the public sector, including education, emergency services (including police), government and public administration, and health and community services.

Subscribe to any of the eNewsletters at worksafe.vic.gov.au/enews

2. Getting help from WorkSafe


Unions provide a wide range of OHS support to their members, including advice, representation, information and training. They also encourage and support consultation between employers and employees to improve workplace health and safety.

HSRscanseekassistancefromanyperson,includingunionofficials,tohelp resolve OHS issues. For more information, see WorkSafe publication, Employee representation. Authorised representatives of registered employee organisations, such as unions, have the right to enter workplaces to enquire into suspected breaches of the OHS Act and Regulations. For more information, see WorkSafe publication Guide to right of entry by authorised representatives.

The Victorian Trades Hall Council OHS Unit provides support, advice and assistance toaffiliatedunionsandunionmembers.Thisincludestraining,informationandpolicies, helping coordinate campaigns on health and safety issues and working with WorkSafe to improve standards, policies and programs. The unit has its own website for OHS representatives funded by WorkSafe. It provides information on legislation and hazards and offers a free subscription to fortnightly electronic newsletter SafetyNet. See ohsrep.org.au.

3. Getting help from unions


Many employer, trade and industry associations provide a wide range of OHS support to their members, including advice, support, information, consulting services, representation and training. They also promote and support effective workplace consultation between employers and employees to improve workplace health and safety.

Employer, trade and industry associations work with WorkSafe to improve standards, policies and programs. Some associations also administer the WorkSafe-funded free three-hour OHS consultancy service for small businesses.

Contact your employer, trade or industry association to see how they can assist you.

Getting help from employer, trade and industry associations

4.


WorkSafe Agents provide a range of OHS prevention services and support to workplaces, including risk management and return to work advice. Contact your agent for more information.

For a list of WorkSafe Agents, see the insurance and premium section at worksafe.vic.gov.au.

Services and support from WorkSafe Agents

5.


Some employers may control the OHS risks at their workplace by getting help from the range of sources outlined in previous pages. You may also choose to build in-house OHS skills, which, in the longer term and depending on the circumstances in the workplace, is a good way to improve health and safety.

6.1 OHS education and training Theeducationandtrainingsystemoffersarangeofcertificate,diplomaandtertiaryqualificationsthatmanyworkplaceshavesuccessfullyusedtobuildtheirin-houseOHScapacities.Thetrainingtoobtainthesequalificationsisofferedbyavarietyoftertiary institutions and Registered Training Organisations, including TAFE colleges, unions, employer associations and private training providers.

For more information about providers of this training, see the National Training Information Services website ntis.gov.au.

6.2 Employee HSR training The OHS Act creates a legal entitlement for HSRs and their deputies to receive training in OHS. This entitlement allows HSRs to attend training courses that are approved by WorkSafe and delivered by WorkSafe or by approved training providers.

For information about approved HSR training courses and training providers, see worksafe.vic.gov.au or contact the WorkSafe Advisory Service.

Build in-house OHS expertise

6.


6.3 Other OHS trainingEffective OHS training for employees, supervisors and managers is good business. It improves skills, knowledge, productivity, morale and in-house OHS capacities to help identify hazards and risks and identify appropriate control measures to reduce workplace incidents.

The OHS Act and Regulations require employers to provide such training to employees as is necessary to enable the employees to perform their work in a manner that is safe and without risks to health. Any such training can also be undertaken by supervisors and managers. This can include training on:

• thenatureofhazards• theprocessesusedforhazardidentification,riskassessmentandriskcontrol• theneedforandproperuseofmeasurestocontrolrisk• safetyprocedures• theuse,fit,testingandstorageofpersonalprotectiveequipment• firstaid• licencesforhighriskwork(egscaffolding,rigging,dogging,cranes,hoists,fork

lifts, boilers and pressure vessels), asbestos removal, working with carcinogens, major hazard facilities

• specificrisks,hazardsandindustries(egasbestos,lead,manualhandling, majorhazards,hazardous,construction,mining,confinedspaces,explosives, trafficmanagement).

Specifictrainingforsupervisorsandmanagersisalsoavailable.WorkSafeprovidesguidance on competencies for persons representing employers in relation to the resolution of OHS issues. For more information, see WorkSafe publication Employer representative competencies.

Depending on the size of the organisation and the availability of in-house resources, training can be undertaken in-house or can be provided by tertiary institutions and TAFE Colleges, unions, employer associations and private training providers. For more information, visit the training service provider directory at worksafe.vic.gov.au or contact the WorkSafe Advisory Service.

Build in-house OHS expertise6.


At times, there may be no-one at your workplace who has the right skills or knowledge to identify and control hazards in the workplace. This is when you should employorengageapersonwhoissuitablyqualifiedinrelationtoOHStoprovideadvice to the employer concerning the health and safety of employees.

If you decide that further advice is needed to deal with health and safety risks at the workplace, the next step is to decide whether to directly employ a person or engage them under a contract for services or other arrangement.

Examples of when an employer might consider employing or engaging a suitablyqualifiedpersontoadviseonOHS:

• duringperiodicOHSreviewsoftheoperationsofthebusiness• whendevelopingandimplementingsystemsforthelong-term

management of OHS• whenestablishingOHSconsultativeandissueresolutionstructures

for the workplace• whenplanningtomodifytheworkpremises,plant,substancesor

materials for use at work• beforechangestoworkpracticesandsystemsofworkareintroduced• whenestablishingnewoperationsorprojects• priortomajorshutdown,decommissioning,demolitionofpremisesorplant• whennewOHSinformationbecomesavailablefromanauthoritativesource• whenahazardousexposureorincident,injury,illnessoradverseresult

of environmental or health monitoring indicates that risk control measures are inadequate

• whenmanagingcomplexissuesrelatedtopsychologicalhealth,such as bullying and stress.

7. Employing or engaging a suitably qualified person for OHS advice


For example, if issues affecting the health and safety of employees are ongoing and complex, you might decide you require daily advice and will employ an OHS coordinator whose role is to advise you on OHS matters in your workplace.

Alternatively, some small business employers may opt to bring in an external consultant as a one off or needs basis only.

The choice will depend on the nature and extent of the hazards and risks in the workplace. If you employ a person, you may still need to bring in other consultants at various times. No single OHS professional will have the answers to all problems.

Any person employed in-house or engaged as an external consultant to provide OHSadvicemustbesuitablyqualified.

7.1 Who is a suitably qualified person?A‘suitablyqualified’personissomeonewhohastheknowledge,skillsandexperience to be able to provide advice on the issues impacting the health and safety of employees. The advice must reflect the current state of knowledge on OHS issues so employers can rely on this advice when controlling risks in their workplace.Asuitablyqualifiedpersonmustbeabletoadviseyouabout:

• theprocessofidentifyinghazards• implementingcontrolstoeliminateorreducetheassessedrisks• monitoringandreviewingcontrols.

The type of person required will depend on your type of workplace and its hazards. The table on page 12 lists matters that should be considered when assessing whetherapersonhastheskills,knowledgeandexperiencetobesuitablyqualified.Whether you are employing a person or engaging a consultant, all matters should be taken into account, where relevant.



Table 2: Assessing a suitably qualified person

Knowledge Can the person demonstrate they have relevant knowledge inOHSorarelatedfieldthroughthecompletionofeducation?Ifnoformalqualifications,canthepersonthrough alternate means establish they understand the current state of knowledge on the issue and OHS principles and legislation?

Industry experience

Has the person worked in the employer’s industry, with employers of like size and structure, dealt with similar plant or equipment, addressed issues and evaluated the impact of possible interventions?

Professional activity

Can the person demonstrate recent professional activity inthefieldofOHSinwhichtheyintendtoprovideadvice?How long has the person been professionally active?

Reputation Is the person reputable and able to provide referees who can attest to the quality and utility of their work?

Professional association

Is the person a member of a professional association that requires the attainment and continuing development of certain knowledge, skills and experience for membership? See Appendix A for a list of professionals who provide OHS advice and details of their professional bodies or associations.

Communication skills

Is the person able to explain what needs to be done to control any hazards or risks and write reports that are easy to understand? Does the person have adequate communications skills to work and consult with HSRs, managers and employees?

Technical expertise If the person is monitoring conditions in the workplace, is their equipment suitable, appropriate and accurate? Does the person have the skills to use the equipment and analyse the results?

OHS legislative understanding

Is the person familiar with OHS legislation?

Risk management strategies

Is the person’s approach consistent with the principle of ensuring the highest level of protection so far as is reasonably practicable? For example, it should focus on elimination of the risks rather than lower order controls, such as using personal protective equipment or monitoring.

Necessary resources

Is the person able to provide the necessary resources, such as equipment and personnel, to provide the service?

Recognition of limitations

Is the person able to recognise limits of their competence and identify for the employer when further expertise is necessary?

For more information about how to meet your obligations as an employer, see the WorkSafe Position How WorkSafe applies the law in relation to employing or engaging suitable qualified persons to provide health and safety advice.



8.1 Engaging an external consultant If you decide to engage an external consultant, the following table shows the broad range of services external consultants can provide advice about.

Table 3: List of services

Identifying and controlling specifichazards

• plant• hazardoussubstances• dangerousgoods• confinedspaces• workingatheights• noise,radiationandheat• asbestos• manualhandling• occupationalstress,bullyingandworkplaceviolence

Industry-focused • buildingandconstruction• utilities• manufacturing• mining• majorhazardfacilities• transportanddistribution• agriculture• health

Otherspecificservices

• training• managementandmanagementsystems• licensing• legalcompliance• auditing• settingupstructuresandprocessestoensureeffectiveemployeeconsultation• design(includingplantandequipment,processes,jobs,tasks,workstationsandworkplaces)• hazardidentificationandriskcontrol• riskandhazardmanagement• accidentandincidentinvestigation• healthsurveillance,healthassessmentandmedicaldiagnosis,treatmentandmanagement

External consultants

8.


When choosing a consultant, it is recommended you give HSRs and health and safety committees the opportunity to discuss their concerns. This will encourage further co-operation and support and may help determine the type of help required. If there are no HSRs, the employees involved in the issue or problem should be consulted.

In some cases, more than one type of consultant may be needed, particularly in complex or high risk situations. There will usually be many consultants able toprovidetheserviceneeded.Makeenquirieswithseveraltofindtheright consultant to suit your needs and workplace. See Appendix A for a list and contact information of OHS professionals.

8.2 Issues to considerAs well as considering the matters listed in Table 2 (page 12), when engaging a consultant, you should address the following issues:

• Conflict of interest: consultants should be asked to declare any matter that may result in conflict of interest.

• Confidentiality: goods produced may involve ingredients or processes that are ‘tradesecrets’.Specifyingthenatureandextentofconfidentialityincontracts will help protect your activities.

• Insurance: it is important to check the level and types of insurance held by the consultant and the organisation the consultant represents. This typically involves public liability and professional indemnity insurance and may also include workers’ compensation and other insurances.

• Ethics: as an employer, you want your consultant to work with integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. Many professional bodies and associations have a code of ethics, code of practice or professional standards their members are expected to adhere to in their work. A copy may be obtained from the consultant or the professionalbodyassociation.Iftheconsultantisnotaffiliatedtoaprofessionalbody or association, any important ethical issues should be explained.

• Ownership of material: when drawing up an agreement with a consultant, address the question of ownership of material. Many employers regard written material produced under contract as the company’s property – if you do, it is important the consultant understands this.

• Dispute resolution: ask the consultant if they have a process for resolving conflicts. Professional bodies or associations usually have a system for dealing with complaints and resolving disputes involving its members.

The Health and Safety Professionals Alliance (an alliance of OHS professionals and educational bodies) has developed a code of ethics and Minimum Service Standards for Professional Members of OHS Associations that may be of use when considering ethical and service issues. The code and standards are available from worksafe.vic.gov.au.

External consultants8.


8.3 Letting an OHS consultant know what you wantTo get the best results from engaging a consultant, consider the points in the following table. No matter what approach is adopted, it is important to have a written agreement in place before the consultant starts work.

Table 4: Engaging a consultant

Clearlydefineanddocument the problem to be worked on

• describetheproblemsandissuesthatneedtobeaddressed, preferably in written brief, and provide a clear statement about what you hope to achieve at the workplace. The consultant can then provide a written proposal to the brief for consideration and approval

• outlinewhatresourcesareavailableattheworkplaceand what the consultant will need to provide

• clearlyexplainbudget

Make sure the consultant knows what is expected from them

• outlinewhattaskstheconsultantwillbedoing• agreehowitwillbedecidedifthetaskshavebeen

done properly• workoutspecificobjectivestobeachieved(egreduced

noiselevels,meetingaspecifiedregulatoryrequirement,changes in behaviour, such as reporting of incidents)

• establishdeadlineswhenreports,submissionsand other tasks need to be completed

Give the consultant access to all the necessary information about the problem

• providetheconsultantwithdetailsofanydiscussionswith HSRs, health and safety committees, supervisors and employees about the nature and extent of the problem

• letconsultantknowoftheemployeeswhoare affected by the problem (include where they work and what they do)

• providedetailsofanyincidents,injuries,illnesses and claims

• referconsultanttorelevantpublicationsand other information available about the problem (WorkSafe publications and website)

Involve HSRs and employees

• informHSRsandemployeeswhentheconsultant is starting and explain what they will be doing

• explaintoconsultanthowHSRsandemployees are to be involved in resolving issues

Establish a reporting and meeting schedule

• specifyonwhatbasisandhowoftenprogressreportsshould be given and emerging issues discussed

Monitor the progress of the consultant

• routinelycheckthetimetableestablishedwhen work began

• checktheconsultant’sworkisconsistentwiththerequirements of the contract



8.4 Ensuring the service needed was receivedA well-prepared written proposal, along with regular review and monitoring while the consultant is doing their work, will help ensure the service needed was received.

Oncetheconsultanthasfinishedwork,theemployershouldconsiderthe following questions:

• Hasapractical,sensiblesolutiontotheproblembeenprovided?• Hastheconsultantprovidedsomethingoverthetop(eglotsofuseless

paperwork)? If so, the consultant should be asked for an explanation and askedtoadviseifthereisabetter,simplifiedalternative.

• Hasgoodfollow-upsupportbeenprovidedbytheconsultant?Forexample, has the consultant made sure any recommendations have been properly understood? Has the consultant adequately answered any questions about implementing recommendations?

8.5 Legal issuesEngaging or employing a person for help and advice does not guarantee legal duties and responsibilities under the OHS Act and Regulations will be met.

Legal duties and responsibilities cannot be transferred or delegated to a consultant. If an employer is found to be in breach of their duties, it is not a defence to have relied on the advice or recommendations of a consultant.

For these reasons, it is important for employers who employ or engage a person for advice to stay actively involved in OHS issues, including monitoring and reviewing risk controls.



General OHS professionalsGeneralOHSprofessionalshavequalificationsandtrainingingeneralOHS. Many also have further training, education and expertise in particular areas of OHS. It is important to ensure a consultant is competent in the particular OHS service area before engaging them.

The professional body that many general OHS professionals belong to is the Safety Institute of Australia.

sia.org.au 03 8336 1995 [email protected]

Occupational hygienistsOccupationalhygieneisthescientificandtechnicalapproachtotheidentification,assessment and control of chemical, physical and biological factors that adversely affect the health of people at work. Occupational hygienists have knowledge of OHS law and understand the principles of hazard control, including process modification,ventilationandpersonalprotectiveequipmentandassociatedadministrative measures.

Some of the environmental factors associated with work and work operations that may adversely affect health include hazardous substances such as dusts, gases and fumes; thermal stress; biological hazards; and musculoskeletal stressors. Occupational hygienists can recognise these factors and work out methods to eliminate, reduce or control such factors when necessary to alleviate their adverse effects.

The Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) is the professional body for occupational hygienists. To contact a consultant occupational hygienist, use the consultant search service on the AIOH website.

aioh.org.au [email protected]

Appendix A – Where to find consultants



ErgonomistsErgonomistsusescientificandtechnicalknowledgeabouthumancapabilities,functions and requirements to look at the design of jobs, systems, machinery and equipment, and the environment where work is done. They aim to match the work to the needs of people for safety, productivity and work satisfaction.

An organisation can use the services of an ergonomist for a wide range of problems and issues, including:

• adviceonnewbuildingsandrenovationsandtheworkingenvironment (eg physical environment and workplace layout)

• thedesignoftasks,jobsandworkpractices• workplaceassessment(layout,design,workprocesses)• recognisingenvironmentalfactors(egnoise,vibration,lighting)associated

with work and work operations that may adversely affect health and determining methods to eliminate, reduce or control such factors

• investigationandpreventionofaccidents,injuriesordiseases.

The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia (HFESA) is the professional organisation of ergonomists and human factors specialists in Australia.

AcertifiedmemberisdesignatedasacertifiedprofessionalergonomistorCPE.

A CPE can be contacted via the HFESA website.

ergonomics.org.au 02 9680 9026 (9am to 4.30pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday) [email protected]

Medical practitioners and occupational health nurses Most occupational medicine is performed by general practitioners and occupational health nurses.

Occupational health nurses are skilled in the provision of workplace injury prevention, injury and illness management and health surveillance. Medical practitioners provide independentmedicalopinionsonissuessuchasfitnesstoperformparticularworkduties, work-related medical conditions and impairment assessment.

Medicalpractitionersandoccupationalhealthnurseswithadditionalqualifications,background, interests or specialities in occupational medicine can be contacted through the Australian and New Zealand Society of Occupational Medicine (ANZSOM).

anzsom.org.au 1300 666 515 or 03 9570 1859 [email protected]


Occupational and environmental physiciansOccupational medicine looks at the influence of work on people’s health, as well as the effect of a person’s health on work. Occupational and environmental physicians are skilled in the investigation and diagnosis of work-related and environment-related conditions and can provide a comprehensive approach to the management and prevention of injury, illness and disease.

Tofindanoccupationalandenvironmentalphysician,contacttheAustralasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine.

afom.racp.edu.au (02) 8247 6219 [email protected]

EngineersProfessional engineers apply skills in the analysis and knowledge of science, engineering, technology, management and social responsibility to problem solving innewandexistingfields.Disciplinesincludechemical,mechanical,civil,electrical,environmental and risk engineering.

Engineers Australia is the professional body representing engineers of all disciplines and can be contacted through the Engineers Australia website.

engineersaustralia.com.au 1300 653 113

Radiation protection professionals Radiation protection professionals are engaged in a variety of activities designed to ensure the safe use of both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation for a wide variety of applications, including:

• medicine• miningofradioactiveores• industrialx-raymachineryorstrongradiofrequencysources(suchasare

used in plastic welding) • communicationandpowertransmissionwhereemployeesandthegeneral

public are exposed to electromagnetic radiation• tertiaryeducationandresearch.

The professional body for radiation protection professionals is the Australasian Radiation Protection Society (ARPS). Radiation protection consultants can be contacted through the ARPS website.

arps.org.au 03 9756 0128 [email protected]




Other ways of contacting consultantsThe WorkSafe website provides links to OHS professional bodies and associations with professional members who provide consulting services. Unions and employer, tradeandindustryassociationscanalsohelpyoufindanOHSconsultant.

The Victorian Trades Hall Council has a list of consultants who have signed its code of conduct. For more information, see the OHS reps website. ohsrep.org.au/faqs/other/consultants

Some employer groups and industry associations directly provide OHS consulting services.

Help from other professionals Sometimes other professionals, such as dangerous goods specialists, psychologists orarchitects,areneededtoaddressspecificOHSissues,suchasthedesignof plant, buildings and structures. These professionals can be contacted through their professional association or body.

WorkSafe Victoria

Advisory Service

222 Exhibition Street Melbourne 3000

Phone 03 9641 1444 Toll-free 1800 136 089 Email [email protected]

Head Office

222 Exhibition Street Melbourne 3000

Phone 03 9641 1555 Toll-free 1800 136 089 Website worksafe.vic.gov.au

Local Offices

Ballarat 03 5338 4444 Bendigo 03 5443 8866 Dandenong 03 8792 9000 Geelong 03 5226 1200 Melbourne (628 Bourke Street) 03 9941 0558 Mildura 03 5021 4001 Mulgrave 03 9565 9444 Preston 03 9485 4555 Shepparton 03 5831 8260 Traralgon 03 5174 8900 Wangaratta 03 5721 8588 Warrnambool 03 5564 3200

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