Zinc's WHS - Work Health and Safety
This Act is the main piece of legislation in NSW, which sets out the obligations of employers to provide a safe working environment for all employees, contractors and workplace visitors.
The objectives of the Act are to:
- Secure and promote the health, safety and welfare of people at work
- Protect people at a place of work against risks to health or safety arising out of the activities of persons at work
- Promote a safe and healthy work environment for people at work that protects them from injury and illness and that is adapted to their physiological and psychological needs
- Provides for consultation and cooperation between employees in achieving these objects
- Ensure that risks to health and safety at a place of work are identified, assessed and eliminated or controlled
- Develop and promote community awareness of WHS issues
- Provide a legislative framework that allows for progressively higher standards of WHS to take into account changes in technology and work practices
- Protect people (wether or not at a place of work) against risks to health and safety arising form the use practices that affect public safety
Employer responsibilities are to:
- Ensure the safety and welfare of employees
- Supply safe equipment and machinery
- Provide safe access to the workplace
- Provide information, supervision and training
- Consult with employees on health and safety matters
The employee responsibilities are to:
- Cooperate with employers and colleagues
- Work safely
- Report problems
- Work productively to the best of ability
- Arrive ready and on time to work
- Follow established WHS regulations
Common injuries include:
- Slips and falls
- Sprains and Strains
- Scolds and burns
- Cuts and abrasions
To avoid injuries it is important that food service and catering staff:
- Use safety signage such as ‘caution, wet floor’
- Wear protective clothing and shoes
- Have easy access to first aid and contact numbers
- Are trained in safety
- Keep work areas clean and clear
- Store chemicals appropriately
- Lift objects correctly
Anti-discrimination legislation
Employers have a responsibility to provide a non-discriminatory work environment.
Under anti-discrimination legislation, employees and customers cannot be discriminated against on the basis of:
- Age
- Gender
- Religion
- Race
- Culture
- Disabilities
- Sexual preferences
Workers also have a choice as to wether or not they join a union. It is illegal to force someone into joining a union or other worker associations even though unions play a valuable role in protecting the rights of workers and improving their conditions.
You cannot discriminate on the basis of gender so terms such as food and beverage attendant, wait staff, kitchen staff and chef are used.