What is WHS in Australian workplaces
What is WHS in Australian workplacesFirstly, there are a several key acronyms used in Australia when discussing the topic of health and safety. WHS, OHS & HSE are among the more common ones used by businesses when attempting to Pidgeon hole the position tasked with implementing and monitoring compliance to the health and safety legislation.
WHS – Stands for ‘Work Health and Safety’. Previously the acronym stood for ‘Workplace Health and Safety’. There are sources that continue to use the term ‘Workplace Health and Safety’ and ‘Work Health and Safety’ interchangeably.
OHS – The Health and Safety purists say that this acronym was developed to be more specific to occupations, being ‘Occupational Health and Safety’. A term that grew from the Australian Standard definition relating to safety management systems.
HSE – This acronym crept into the health and safety lexicon attempting to include ‘Environment’ into the Health and Safety role by calling the position (and purpose) Health Safety and Environment. A clear strategy for businesses to combine roles and reduce costs by having previous positions of Health and Safety or Environment combine and take on additional responsibilities. The acronym HSE and term ‘Health, Safety and Environment’ evolved to fill this space.
The common factor in each of these acronyms is the Work Health and Safety legislation being about protecting the worker and others in the workplace. Understanding that a workplace is any place where a worker works. This terminology is mirrored in each of the state and territory Health and Safety legislation.
The WHS Legislation we use now has evolved over many years in Australia to be a harmonised system where there is a core base to the Act and Regulation where minor changes are permitted in a state-by-state requirement. (Note: The only State to not adopt this legislation is Victoria.) See the SafeWork Australia information on this harmonised system. Victoria continues to call their legislation the Occupational Health and Safety legislation. With no mention of a definition for ‘Occupation’ or ‘Occupations’ in the legislation, the term WHS (substituting ‘Workplace’ or ‘Work’ for the W) is most used.
In any instance of what term used, the system in place should encompasses principles, guidelines, and practices designed to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of workers in the workplace.
Introduction of Well-Being to Work Health and Safety (WHS)
Many people believe also that the ‘well-being’ component is new. They openly embrace this new direction in health and safety not understanding that the term ‘Health’ in Health and safety was and continues to be defined in the legislation as including psychosocial hazards. Our legislation is crucial in protecting workers’ rights and ensures that Businesses prioritise the safety of their workers and others who may be affected by the business.
Businesses should consider this legislation carefully as it is designed to be applied to all places where a worker from a workplace may work.
Businesses must ensure that they are Legally compliant with the various laws federal state and local. the laws introduced to Australia are strict and enforced at all levels. Businesses are legally obligated to provide a safe and healthy work environment (so far as reasonably practicable) for their workers. Not all non-compliance results in (tangible) penalties, fines, or legal action there is always the community outrage that follows serious events.
As part of a business model there is a need for continued uninterrupted business processes. These interruptions may include productivity and/or efficiency. Having a safe and healthy work environment will contribute to increased productivity and efficiency. Workers will feel more secure in their workplace and will be likely to focus more on their tasks and perform at their best. Any reduction in production from accidents and incidents directly leads to disruptions in the workflow.
Costs of poor application of the WHS practices
Deloitte Access Economics were commissioned by Safe Work Australia to research the cost of workplace injury and illness in Australia. Their report was published in October 2022 where they presented a report relating to the costs of the average of 623,663 injuries per year between 2008 and 2018. That if injuries did not occur that there would have been savings of over $37.6 billion in Health expenditure costs and $49.5 billion in other employer overheads. This is part of the staggering costs that injuries illnesses and deaths pose to the families, businesses and the Australian economy.
Other intangible costs exist in workplaces.
– increased costs in labour and material.
– increased workplace risks leading to numerous psychosocial issues, such as;
– increased employee absence and turnover rates.
– increased incidents/accidents.
– increased legal action.
– loss of ‘brand’ contained in public outcry.
To list a few.
Conclusion on the use of the term WHS
Whatever term is used, there are many issues have a direct effect on the bottom line of any business. Accidents and injuries involving workers or others will lead to increased medical costs. There may be an increase in workers compensation or common law claims, with the inevitable legal expenses. By implementing effective practices, employers can mitigate these costs and save money eventually.
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