Workplace Health and Safety Policies

Workplace health and safety strategies are an essential factor to be considered in the development of risk minimisation strategies. The objects of Occupational Health & Safety Act 2004 (Vic) are to maximise the health, safety and welfare of employees and other persons at work.

Security leaders need to consider the principles of health and safety protection when reviewing systems of work including those within their own work environment.  Section 4 of the Act provides:

1. The importance of health and safety requires that employees, other persons at work and members of the public be given the highest level of protection against risks to their health and safety that is reasonably practicable in the circumstances.
2. Persons who control or manage matters that give rise or may give rise to risks to health or safety are responsible for eliminating or reducing those risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
3. Employers and self-employed persons should be proactive, and take all reasonably practicable measures, to ensure health and safety at workplaces and in the conduct of undertakings.
4. Employers and employees should exchange information and ideas about risks to health and safety and measures that can be taken to eliminate or reduce those risks.
5. Employees are entitled, and should be encouraged, to be represented in relation to health and safety issues.

 More information is available online from Austlii – www.austlii.edu.au