Each workplace in Australia must have a commitment to occupational health and safety (OHS), in order to ensure safety problems are avoided. As such, employers must provide a safe workplace, as well as safe systems of work, along with information, training and supervision for health and safety in the workplace.
Therefore, careers and workers in occupational health and safety (OHS) are vital to the safety of workplaces and employees over a huge variety of industries.
Working in OHS Roles
Jobs involving safety at the workplace can cover a huge range of skills and occupations. Safety inspectors are involved in the examination of equipment, machinery, even workspaces to ensure that worksafe practices are being carried out.
Occupational Health and Safety Officers are involved with coordinating safety systems in a workplace. They achieve this by putting OHS controls in place, and giving training and advice to other employees about worksafe behaviours and expectations.
One task which workplace health and safety officers deal with, involves interpreting Material Safety Data Sheets or MSDS. This is a form which outlines information about a dangerous chemical including its properties, precautions for safe use and the name of the manufacturer and contact details. It is important in terms of correct occupational health and safety procedure that any hazardous materials are clearly labeled, and that employees are able to understand the information contained on the MSDS.
Training to work in Health and Safety
Training for roles in occupational health and safety is available at both TAFE and university. Prospective OHS officers can undertake studies in Occupational Health and Safety at the Diploma, Certificate, or Bachelor level. These will all lead to specialised skills for health and safety in the workplace, but will vary in length and the skills discussed during your studies. Therefore, roles in workplace health and safety are vital to the healthy functioning of a workplace, and is a highly relevant skill in today’s workforce.