Are you OHS compliant yet?

The next stage of the implementation of the NSW Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 commences on 1 September 2003. Small businesses with 1 to 20 employees, to date, have not been subject to the Regulation whose first stage targeted larger organizations.

However, by 1 September, all small businesses, including dental practices, will need to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation. The legislation requires employers to adopt a risk management approach to eliminating and controlling risks to health and safety.

As an employer, you must provide:

• A safe workplace and safe ways of working;
• Equipment, tools and machinery in a safe condition;
• Safe and hygienic facilities, including toilets, eating areas and first aid;
• Information, training and supervision to all workers;
• A process for consultation with workers to keep workers informed and involved in decisions that may affect their health and safety; and
• Processes for identifying hazards, assessing risks and controlling risks.

To help with the development and implementation of an OHS plan for your practice, Workcover has produced a Small Business Safety Starter Kit.