The introduction of the Model Legislation has been much publicised and has raised a good deal of excitement, both good and bad from the OHS community. Each of the states and territories have weighed up the pros and cons of the changes and put forth various opinions, statements and comments on what it will or won't do for safety.
But what about the average punter on the shop floor? What are the real practical outcomes for those in the firing line of the hazards and risks of the workplace. Most organisations have systems in place already to protect the workers, will they need to do more? Will those workers (that currently have no idea that there is an Act of Parliament and associated regulations for safety) see any real changes to the workplace in relation to safety?
In the authors humble opinion, I seriously doubt it. These changes are not going to make any radical and sweeping changes in the workplace, and therefore there will be little or no change to the situation at the lower end of the food chain. There might be a bit more activity in enforcing the policies, but from what I have seen, there will be nothing more to do in most cases.
I believe there hasn't been sufficient education out there, as many people that I talk to have no idea what is happening with the legislation and how all the jigsaw pieces of OHS fit together. The average punter doesn't really need to know the legislation, but should know what their rights and responsibilities are in relation to that legislation. The new legislation should be driving the push for greater education, not just for employers, but for workers as well. This should include educators in the OHS field going into schools and doing some training for students in their final year or two ,so that when they do start work, they are already armed with the knowledge that they can and will be safe in the workplace.
There are many front line supervisors out there that have no formal qualifications yet are considered employers by the legislation and are totoally ignorant of the fact that they are now more responsible for the safety of their teams. I wait with some anticipation of change on the outcomes of the long overdue shake up of the legislation.
