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Generalist OHS Professional in Australia (OHS Paradigm Shifts ('Safety…
Generalist OHS Professional in Australia
Perceptions of the OHS Professional
OHS Policy Makers
Low profile view
Management
OHS roles
Low profile within organisations
Roles sit outside management
Modest social status
No added value
Only able to provide advice on technical matters
Community
Lack of awareness & understanding of role
Low importance placed on prevention of workplace injuries
Lack of visibility
Corporate social responsiblity
Negative perception
Trivial
Bureaucratic
Injuries caused by 'person' factors
carelessness
lack of training
OHS Professional Roles
Generalist OHS Professionals
Provides advice on prevention and minimisation of work-related injury, fatality, disease and illness
Various position titles
Consultants
Internal
External
Advisors
Co-ordinators
Managers
Lack of consistency in OHS role across workplaces
Minimal differentiation between job descriptions for Uni-qualified and VET qualified workers
Occupational Hygienists
Occupational Ergonomists
Occupational Physicians
Medical specialist
Understands workplace and environment hazards, risks of exposure and impact on health
Occupational Health Nurses
OHS Educational Issues
Not a highly valued discipline in Universities
Limited number of Universities offering OHS qualifications
Less University qualified OHS professionals
Lack of qualified educators
Lack of educators with sufficient experience
Threat of demise of OHS Profession
Demise of OHS degrees
Confusion surrounding various levels of OHS education
Low levels of school-leaver enrolments
Lack of understanding of small business regarding level of education required
Inconsistency between OHS Professionals and advice provided
OHS Paradigm Shifts
Pre-1900 paradigm medically focussed
'Safety First' movement 1900's
Originated in US railway
Education for workers on hazards
Non-union safety committee implementation
1930-1970
Technical/engineering approach
Medical model
Care of individuals
Treatment instead of prevention
Industrial psychology
Work methods
Accident proness
1970's
New accidents and injuries due to new technology
Questioning of technical and medical approach to OHS
1980's
Introduction of Roben's style legislation
Obligation of safety on employer/line manager
1990's
Focus on OHS management systems
Development
Research
Managing hazards of long latency
2000's
Reduction to status of developing country, rather than major OHS contributor
Beginning of safety culture debate
Australian Legislation Development
Introduction of harmonised OHS legislation - 2012
National model Act
Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011
Model regulations per jurisdiction
Australian Standards - OHS Management Systems - 2000's
Auditing and certifications
Accreditation
Amendment of Workplace Relations Act 1996
Removal of unfair dismissal
'No disadvantage test'
Greater flexibility got employers to set wages and conditions
First Australian OHS legislation - 1854
Regulation of workers conditions in NSW coal fields
Factories Act 1873
Establishment of International Commission of Community Health - 1906
Raised profile of worker safety