ACTU Alcohol and Other Drugs in the Workplace Policy
The Australian trade union movement is acutely aware of the dangers posed by alcohol and/or other drugs (AODs). The underlying causes may be personal and/or social in nature, related to the work environment and needs to be addressed in a strong, consistent, humane and evidence based manner, by employer, workers and their representative organisations.
The purpose of this Policy is to provide a framework for employers and workers to follow when dealing with issues relating to the consumption of AODs and to meet their obligations under relevant occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation.
‘Lessons From Longford - The Esso Gas Plant Explosion' - by Andrew Hopkins
Andrew Hopkins identifies and discusses the issues that led to the explosion at Esso’s Longford gas plant in 1998, which killed two workers and left Victorians without gas for two weeks. This book is brief, highly readable and upon reading the book, it would rather sad tragedy if an event as catastrophic as this repeated itself.
Hopkins insightfully traces the disaster’s causes to cultural and systemic problems within Esso, rather than looking to shift responsibility to its operators (as Esso did). Hopkins focuses on Esso’s attitude to its safety system, compliance and the variable that led to the incident and how it could have been avoided.
This analysis and Hopkins’ practical suggestions for how to remedy problems make the book well worth its cover price.
'Basic Steps To Prevent Falls From Heights' - 1st Edition
The information in this brochure is provided for people or organisations that have responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act 2004 for ensuring a safe and healthy environment. This guidance is intended to illustrate some measures that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of injuries from falls, both above and below two metres. You should also check the Occupational Health and Safety (Prevention of Falls) Regulations 2003 and the OHS Act to determine the legal requirements that relate to your specific situation.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a Victorian Worksafe publication. Legislation does differ between the various states and territories and we recommend that you check that the information is relevant to your state when reading this publication.
This item is free to ASU members. If this is the only item that you are ordering, when in the check out stage of the order, you will be asked how you wish to make payment. Please nominate to pay by cheque and enter “FREE” into the cheque number field. A maximum of one (1) publication per person per order.
'Streetwise - Preventing Work-Related Stress (A Guide For Employers In the Public Sector)' 2nd Edition
Work-related stress is a growing problem around the world with increased demands for public services, work intensification, downsizing, outsourcing and globalisation creating pressures that affect the health and wellbeing of employees and the productivity of organisations.
Following musculoskeletal disorders, work-related stress is the second most common compensated illness/injury in Australia. During 2004/05 more than $133.9 million was paid in benefits to workers who had made claims related to workplace stress. This picture is also reflected in Victoria where work-related stress, particularly in the public sector, has in recent times presented a growing percentage of workers compensation claims. The indirect costs to people suffering from work-related stress, and their families and colleagues, make it clear that preventing stress needs to be addressed by Victorian industry and the broader community. This guide provides practical advice to help public sector workplaces better understand their legal obligations for workplace consultation and the prevention of risks to psychological and physical health that arise from work-related stress.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a Victorian Worksafe publication. Legislation does differ between the various states and territories and we recommend that you check that the information is relevant to your state when reading this publication.
This item is free to ASU members. If this is the only item that you are ordering, when in the check out stage of the order, you will be asked how you wish to make payment. Please nominate to pay by cheque and enter “FREE” into the cheque number field. A maximum of one (1) publication per person per order.
More than 100,000 Victorian workers risk their hearing every day in noisy workplaces. Exposure to dangerous levels of noise can cause permanent hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). While excessive noise remains a significant issue in many workplaces, it can be controlled.
This guide will help you understand the problem, and will explain what you need to do to make your workplace safe.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a Victorian Worksafe publication. Legislation does differ between the various states and territories and we recommend that you check that the information is relevant to your state when reading this publication.
This item is free to ASU members. If this is the only item that you are ordering, when in the check out stage of the order, you will be asked how you wish to make payment. Please nominate to pay by cheque and enter “FREE” into the cheque number field. A maximum of one (1) publication per person per order.
'Guide For Assessing and Fixing Noise Problems At Work'
Hearing loss is a significant problem in many workplaces but it can be prevented. Where it occurs it can have a big effect on a business and on employees’ lives. Imagine how frustrating it would be to have to keep asking people to repeat themselves in normal conversation or not being able to hear background noises like the telephone, the doorbell or warning signals?
This guide provides information on how noise affects hearing, how to assess exposure to noise and how to fix noise problems in the workplace. There is also specific advice for purchasing quieter equipment, some information on who can conduct hearing tests and where to find further information. It also includes a summary of the legal requirements associated with exposure to noise in the workplace. However, you should refer to the Occupational Health and Safety (Noise) Regulations 2004 for specific legal requirements.
The guide provides information on managing noise problems and contributes to the state of knowledge for compliance with the 2004 Occupational Health and Safety (Noise) Regulations. The purpose of the guide is to provide interim advice until such time as a new Victorian Compliance Code for Noise is developed.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a Victorian Worksafe publication. Legislation does differ between the various states and territories and we recommend that you check that the information is relevant to your state when reading this publication.
This item is free to ASU members. If this is the only item that you are ordering, when in the check out stage of the order, you will be asked how you wish to make payment. Please nominate to pay by cheque and enter “FREE” into the cheque number field. A maximum of one (1) publication per person per order.
Bullying and occupational violence are issues which are, rightly, causing increasing concern and need to be addressed by the Victorian community. Apart from the physical and psychological effects on individuals, their families and colleagues, they reduce productivity across an organisation. They are mainstream issues that should be considered in every workplace. Bullying can cost not only the goodwill of the workforce, and profits, but also the company’s reputation if the matter goes to court.
Occupational violence also has a broad range of effects on workplaces and individuals. Of particular concern is that young people, at the start of their working lives, are among the most vulnerable. This material shows that bullying and occupational violence are not “part of the job” and are never acceptable. Bullying and occupational violence are issues that must be seriously addressed by business, the workforce and the community. Employers need to assess risk, ensure control measures are in place and join with the workforce to ensure it does not become a problem.
This guidance material is a significant step forward in the program of the Victorian Government and WorkSafe to change attitudes towards bullying and occupational violence in the workplace. The prevention framework explains how organisations can take steps to make workplaces safer. This Guidance Note has been prepared with the assistance of employer groups and unions whose representatives have worked closely with WorkSafe Victoria. I commend all parties for their hard work and preparedness to address these issues and identify practical solutions.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a Victorian Worksafe publication. Legislation does differ between the various states and territories and we recommend that you check that the information is relevant to your state when reading this publication.
This item is free to ASU members. If this is the only item that you are ordering, when in the check out stage of the order, you will be asked how you wish to make payment. Please nominate to pay by cheque and enter “FREE” into the cheque number field. A maximum of one (1) publication per person per order.
Working Safely In Community Services - 2nd Edition
Community services workers play a vital role in caring for our people and helping to maintain a quality of life expected in Australian society, often in challenging and confronting circumstances.
This publication is based on the Community Services Safety Pack developed by WorkCover New South Wales in consultation with its community services organisations, including the Council of Social Services of New South Wales (NCOSS).
This version has been developed to ensure compliance with Victorian law and to incorporate helpful contact information. Consultation with Victoria’s community services peak bodies and relevant government departments informed its adaptation. Please note: if your organisation provides homecare services you should also refer to the Victorian Home Care Industry Occupational Health and Safety Guide that specifically covers home maintenance, meals on wheels, respite, attendant care and personal care.
Contents in this publication cover the following areas:
Health and safety basics
Managing OHS in your workplace
Checklists and tools
Managing accidents and claims
Resources and links
PLEASE NOTE: This is a Victorian Worksafe publication. Legislation does differ between the various states and territories and we recommend that you check that the information is relevant to your state when reading this publication.
This item is free to ASU members. If this is the only item that you are ordering, when in the check out stage of the order, you will be asked how you wish to make payment. Please nominate to pay by cheque and enter “FREE” into the cheque number field. Maximum of one (1) publication per person per order.
Working Safely In Visiting Health Services - 1st Edition
This excellent publication has been produced by Worksafe Victoria. It is aimed at employers or duty workers and employees whom provide health services in an environment external to a purpose built workplace. (Please note: It does not include the home care industry or community based services).
For many years Victorian health professionals, such as nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and medical practitioners, have been providing assessment and treatment services in clients’ homes. In recent years there has been an increase in the provision of healthcare services in clients’ homes, particularly with the development of Hospital in the Home (HITH) programs and Hospital Admission Risk Programs (HARP).
This publication refers to all healthcare services that provide assessment and treatment services in clients’ homes and other community settings as ‘visiting health services’. Some examples of visiting health services are HITH, district nursing, community mental health services, visiting pathology services and general practitioners (GPs) These services are delivered in a variety of locations, including private homes, rooming or boarding houses, supported accommodation residential services, crisis accommodation, community residential units, and hotels.
Under occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation, employers have a duty to control risk associated with visiting health services. This Guide sets out practical ways to prevent the two principal hazards associated with visiting health services – occupational violence and musculoskeletal disorders. It provides advice for employers, employees, health and safety representatives (HSRs) and other people involved in visiting health services.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a Victorian Worksafe publication. Legislation does differ between the various states and territories and we recommend that you check that the information is relevant to your state when reading this publication.
This item is free to ASU members. If this is the only item that you are ordering, when in the check out stage of the order, you will be asked how you wish to make payment. Please nominate to pay by cheque and enter “FREE” into the cheque number field. Maximum of one (1) publication per person per order.
Officewise - A Guide To Health and Safety In The Office
Almost every organisation has some office-based work. This guide promotes health and safety in the office and is designed as a resource for managers, supervisors and anyone involved in office work. It brings together a range of information and provides references where more information is necessary.
Officewise is designed to help employers and employees take a look at their workplace. It aims to:
raise awareness of health and safety issues in the office
help identify existing and potential health and safety problems
encourage consultation on health and safety issues
help employers meet their legal responsibilities in relation to health and safety
offer solutions and advice
give guidance on where to go for further information and help.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a Victorian Worksafe publication. Legislation does differ between the various states and territories and we recommend that you check that the information is relevant to your state when reading this publication.
This item is free to ASU members. If this is the only item that you are ordering, when in the check out stage of the order, you will be asked how you wish to make payment. Please nominate to pay by cheque and enter “FREE” into the cheque number field. Maximum of one (1) publication per person per order.
'Excess Baggage: Leveling the Load and Changing the Workplace' by Ellen Rosskam
The ASUshop was fortunate enough to acquire advance publication copies of this book at a discounted price, however stock is limited – so get in quick!!
Excess Baggage is a book based on research by Ellen Rosskam on the working conditions of airport check-in workers in two countries. Excess Baggage takes a rare look at how economic insecurity and globalisation impinges on the health and functioning of workers under stress. Similar cases and strains are occurring in many work groups around the world – this book gives an insight to the suffering some workers are being forced to endure today.
Ellen Rosskam is Visiting Professor at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Work Environment Department and various other roles. She is the author of 50 scientific publications.
'Violence at Work: Causes Patterns and Prevention'
edited by Martin Gill, Bonnie Fisher, Vaughan Bowie (William Publishing, UK)
From the back cover of the book:
Workplace violence has emerged as a rapidly growing concern in today’s interdependent political economy, and increasing attention is being paid to the phenomenon by business, industry, health and welfare services and the academic world: the central tasks are to identify its causes, and to devise strategies to both prevent and counter it. In this book a distinguished international team of contributors, composed of both academics and practitioners, identify and address the key issues, presenting the results and lessons to be learned from a range of case studies in the USA, Canada, Britain and Australia.
Overall this book provides an authoritative foundation from which to develop ways of better explaining, predicting, understanding and preventing workplace violence, and will be essential reading for anybody with an interest in the subject.
'Indirect Discrimination in the Workplace' by Rosemary Hunter (Federation Press)
From the back cover of the book:
A host of traditional employment practices have been found to fall into this category (unlawful discrimination)—height and weight requirements, a last-on-first-off policy, job mobility conditions, even a bus ticketing system, have fallen foul of equal opportunity legislation.
This indirect discrimination legislation is complex and in places highly technical. Its impact and potential is little understood. Rosemary Hunter comprehensively analyses the legislation, State and Federal, private sector and public.
Work strain causes injuries and pain to our backs, shoulders, necks, arms, wrists and our whole bodies. These are the most common health and safety problems in Australia. In 2001, more than 76,000 Australian workers received workers’ compensation for what are commonly called sprain and strain or musculoskeletal injuries – that’s more than 200 per day!
Some people think that work strain is just ‘part of the job’. This is not true. It is preventable and should be stopped. This brochure highlights the causes and impacts of strain and stress on the body in the workplace and offers some suggestions on how to alleviate such duress in the workplace and what employers should be doing to make your place a safe and responsible workplace.
This publication is free to ASU members. Please select your branch and enter your membership number when ordering this item. If this is the only item that you are ordering, when in the check out stage of the order, you will be asked how you wish to make payment. Please nominate to pay by cheque and enter “FREE” into the cheque number field. Maximum: Five (5) brochures per person/order.
‘Stop Stress at Work – A Union Guide for Workers’ booklet
This guide aims to provide workers with information to help them and their workplace representatives deal with work-related stress. It contains information about the day-to-day working conditions which are causing stress and provides ideas and strategies to help prevent or reduce it.
This publication is free to ASU members. If this is the only item that you are ordering, when in the check out stage of the order, you will be asked how you wish to make payment. Please nominate to pay by cheque and enter “FREE” into the cheque number field. A maximum of two (2) brochures per person/order.
‘ACTU Health and Safety Guidelines for Shift Work and Extended Working Hours’ Booklet
An invaluable guideline produced by the ACTU. This guide examines the health and safety hazards associated with shift work and extended working hours, and recommend measures for their assessment and control. They are intended for use by employees and by union delegates, members and other employee representatives who have to deal with changes to working arrangements.
This publication is free to ASU members. Please select your branch and enter your membership number when ordering this item. If this is the only item that you are ordering, when in the check out stage of the order, you will be asked how you wish to make payment. Please nominate to pay by cheque and enter “FREE” into the cheque number field. A maximum of 1 (one) per person per order applies.
‘ACTU Guidelines for Working in Seasonal Heat’ Booklet
An invaluable guideline produced by the ACTU covering the hazards caused by working in hot conditions, and ways of overcoming the dangers.
This publication is free to ASU members. Please select your branch and enter your membership number when ordering this item. If this is the only item that you are ordering, when in the check out stage of the order, you will be asked how you wish to make payment. Please nominate to pay by cheque and enter “FREE” into the cheque number field. A maximum of 1 (one) per person per order applies.
“What is Comcare?” you ask. Comcare is the federal occupational health and safety and workers’ compensation scheme. Comcare was established in the 1980s to provide fair workers’ compensation to employees in the Commonwealth public service. Comcare also has its own health and safety laws.
This brochure contains important information about Comcare, which companies are currently in the Comcare system and what you need to to know to be aware of the ‘Comcare con’
Your health and safety is worth fighting for!
This publication is free to ASU members. Please select your branch and enter your membership number when ordering this item. If this is the only item that you are ordering, when in the check out stage of the order, you will be asked how you wish to make payment. Please nominate to pay by cheque and enter “FREE” into the cheque number field. Maximum: Five (5) brochures per person/order.
‘Being Bossed Around Is Bad For Your Health’ brochure
This brochure aims to raise awareness amongst the community, workers, unions, employers, health professionals, OHS authorities and governments that bullying is a serious health and safety hazard. It outlines basic issues and an employers legal duty to ensure a safe and harassment free workplace.
This publication is free to ASU members. Please select your branch and enter your membership number when ordering this item. If this is the only item that you are ordering, when in the check out stage of the order, you will be asked how you wish to make payment. Please nominate to pay by cheque and enter “FREE” into the cheque number field. Maximum: Five (5) brochures per person/order.
This charter is an A3 sized poster that can be displayed in the workplace to affirm employee’s rights and their entitlement to join a genuine trade union. The Charter of Rights sets out the rights and responsibilities of all workplace parties in the provision of decent and fair health, safety, compensation and rehabilitation systems and practices within Australian workplaces. Regardless of jurisdiction, changes to occupational health and safety, compensation and rehabilitation law must not result in a diminution of the rights and entitlements of any worker.
This publication is free to ASU members. Please select your branch and enter your membership number when ordering this item. If this is the only item that you are ordering, when in the check out stage of the order, you will be asked how you wish to make payment. Please nominate to pay by cheque and enter “FREE” into the cheque number field. A maximum of 1 (one) per person per order applies.
Authorised
and published by Paul Slape, National Secretary, Australian Services Union,
Ground floor, 116 Queensberry Street, Carlton South, Victoria, 3053,
Australia Copyright 2007 Australian Services Union - National Office All Rights Reserved. Theme by
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