Question

1.3 Describe the impact of the identified WHS Act on the Code of Practice - Work Health and Safety Consultation, Co-operation and Co-ordination (in 50-70 words).

1.4 Describe the scope and objective of the 'National Standard for Manual Tasks' (in 30-40 words).

Answer 1

IMPACT OF IDENTIFIED WHS ACT ON THE CODE OF PRACTICE- WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSULTATION, CO-OPERATION AND COORDINATION

• The code of practice on how to meet the requirements for consultation, cooperation and coordination on work health and safety matters is an approval code of practice under section 274 of the work health and safety act
• An approved code of practice provides practical guidance on how to achieve the standards of work health and safety required under the WHS act and the work health and safety regulations and effective ways to identify and manage risks.
• The code of practice can assess anyone who has a duty of care in the circumstances described in the code of practice.
• Code of practice are admissible in court proceedings under the WHS act and WHS regulations.
• An inspector may refer to an approved code of practice whwn issuing an improvement or prohibition notice.

SCOPE AND APPLICATION

• This code is intended to be read by a person conducting a business or undertaking .
• It provides guidance to PCBUs on how to effectively consult with workers who carry out work for the business or undertaking and who are directly affected by a health and safety matter.
• It includes information on the mechanisms to facilitate worker participation and representation.
• The code also provides guidance to PCBUs who share responsibility for the same work health and safety matter on how to consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with each other.
• This code may be a useful reference for other persons interested in the duties under the WHS act and WHS regulations
• This code applies to all workplaces covered by the WHS act, where work health and safety consultation , cooperation and coordination is required

COORDINATION

Coordinating aactivities requires duty holders to work together so each person can meet their duty of care effectively without leaving gaps in health and safety protection. You should plan and organise activities together with the other duty holders.

COOPERATION

Cooperation may involve implementing arrangements in accordance with agreements reached during consultation with the other duty holder and involve not acting in a way that may compromise what they are doing to ensure health and safety

Cooperation also means if you are approached by other duty holders wanting to consult with you on a health and safety matter.

SCOPE OF NATIONAL STANDARD FOR MANUAL TASKS

The scope of this standard is manual tasks in the work place

The standard applies to:

• Persons who design, manufacture or supply items or workplace
• employers or persons with control of workplaces
• employers or persons with control of work
• workers or employees

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this national standard is to reduce the incidence and severity of musculoskeletal disorders to workers performing manual tasks.

The national standard for manual tasks sets out the principles for the effective management of hazardous manual tasks to avert musculoskeletal disorders arising from manual tasks in the workplace.