We Are Union: OHS Reps | Other
We Are Union: OHS Reps
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25.01.2022 WorkSafe warns of wild winds and is is urging Victorian employers to ensure their work sites are secured as potentially damaging winds move across the state over the next 24 hours. This is particularly the case on construction sites.
24.01.2022 put on ppe Also: follow the Royal Melbourne Hospital on TikTok. Now that’s a sentence I never thought we’d say.
24.01.2022 With industries preparing to open up, our members need to be aware of some dodgy tactics employers are using on recruitment sites like Seek. You are required to be paid overtime rates for overtime work. Your employer must provide you with access to appropriate PPE.
23.01.2022 Huge win by UWU members at Crown Casino, but the fight isn't over yet! Indoor smoking exposes workers to a significant risk, which is why it isn't allowed anywhere else. Why should Crown be any different?
23.01.2022 Things move so fast, and they're likely to keep changing, but sometimes you just have to focus on what's happening right now and what you can do to control it. With that in mind, we've developed a set of checklists based on DHHS materials that you can use as an HSR. Use your powers under s58 of the Act to inspect the workplace, and use the checklists available at https://www.ohsrep.org.au/coronavirus_disease to evaluate the situation in your workplace. (Scroll down to Action Plan for HSRs) If your workplace isn't ticking enough boxes, use your powers to escalate and resolve issues. And as always, send through an Ask Renata query on the website or contact your union if you need any further assistance or clarification!
22.01.2022 Heads up WorkSafe is having a free webinar on Asbestos in Victoria, and how it's still being used, even after it's ban in 2003. WorkSafe’s occupational hygiene specialists’ will be joined by:... - Brian Healy a mesothelioma sufferer - Professor Tim Driscoll (University of Sydney) - Dr Tom John, (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre) - Executive Director Simone Stevenson (Victorian Asbestos Eradication Agency). If you're interested you can register for free here: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/asbestos-in-victoria-asbestos-aware
21.01.2022 The 2020 OHS Conference is tomorrow! If you've registered, you should have received an email to the address you registered with, with everything you need for the big day. If you have registered, but have not received an email from the team - The first thing to do is check your spam. If you still can't find a message from us, send us a direct message through Facebook and a member of our team will send you everything you need ASAP.... Enjoy tomorrow!
20.01.2022 Welcome to the We Are Union: Women's Equal Pay Day Panel. This year we are acknowledging Equal Pay Day whilst also enduring a global pandemic that has dispropo...rtionately negatively affected women. We know that in Australia, women have lost jobs at higher rates than men have and more women than men have assessed their super funds to see them through this period. Today we have a panel to discuss how Covid-19 affects women, how to stop women being left behind, options for creating change as well as a Q&A session where you'll have the opportunity to ask your own questions. Demand better support for women by signing the petition at: www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/working-women and post a selfie of you with one of the fab campaign signs!
18.01.2022 Let us introduce you to VTHC's new Psychosocial Health Standard. The standard, endorsed by the Executive of VTHC, sets out what we as a union movement expect of all employers in regard to the psychosocial health of workers. We recommend that HSRs inform their employers about the new standard, and use it to evaluate whether the employer is meeting their obligations under the Act. You can download the psych health standard here: www.ohsrep.org.au/psychosocial_health... We'll have a run through of the standard, and take questions from folks as we go.
18.01.2022 Have you registered for the 2020 OHS Conference yet? As the conference is entirely online this year, we'll be mailing out conference kits to HSRs and Deputy HSRs early next week, to make sure they arrive in time for the big day. So if you're a HSR or a deputy HSR and you haven't registered yet, get on it quick!... Register here: www.ohsrep.org.au/conference
16.01.2022 Today we join forces with dozens of other union and community organisations to demand the Morrison Government and National Cabinet take action to support workin...g women as we deal with this pandemic. Here’s what we need to see. Sign the petition telling them to get on with it at www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/working-women
15.01.2022 WorkSafe have released a short video about the employer's duty to consult with workers. Not only does it do a good job of stating what that duty is, but it explains what consultation must look like in order to be considered genuine. Take a look, and maybe forward it to your employer while you're at it!
14.01.2022 Hi Everyone! We had a slight tech issue with the URL displayed in the slides. This is the correct URL:... https://www.ohsrep.org.au/conference_breakout
14.01.2022 Always remember that under s74 of the OHS Act, an elected HSR has the power to direct that where there is an IMMEDIATE threat to health and safety, work will cease. Your boss cannot make you perform unsafe work, or work in an unsafe environment. You can read more about ways to resolve issues on our website: https://www.ohsrep.org.au/resolution_of_issues
14.01.2022 What’s... oh that’s right it’s just my order. It’s the KEY TAKEAWAY from last night’s live show. Did you catch it?
12.01.2022 We've had a number of queries about what the correct response to a confirmed case in the workplace should be. Specifically, what are the employer's duties around cleaning and disinfecting the workplace before workers can return. The link below is from DHHS and is very comprehensive. HSRs should have a read and ensure the same standards are being implemented in their workplaces. https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net//cleaning-and-disinf
12.01.2022 Health includes psychological health. OHS Act (2004)
10.01.2022 Attention HSRs - There is a new app to make your life as an HSR easier. It's called OHShelp, and it's a free all-in-one app for Health and Safety Representatives. It’s designed to help Health and Safety Representatives stay informed, organised and in-touch with their unions. HSRs will be able to use the app to identify workplace hazards and access fact sheets written in plain language. The app also allows users to log issues as they find them, and to share the details with th...eir employer, workmates and union. You can sign up at www.ohshelp.org.au For the moment the app is only available for union members, but a free trial is being organised for non-union members.
10.01.2022 From Melbourne magazine, The Banner: Fri 19 May 1854 Look, we love a good moustache as much as the next person, but facial hair DOES NOT - repeat, DOES NOT - constitute PPE. Source: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/19216047
09.01.2022 Join us for a very special OHS Live Show, as we have 3 guests to discuss the relationship between HSRs and Injured Workers. If you've ever wanted to know about the workcover system, returning to work and what the HSRs role can be after an injury has occured, this is the episode for you! Pop your questions in the comments and we will put them to our panel of experts.
09.01.2022 PSYCH HEALTH STANDARD We are excited to announce today the release of a Victorian Trades Hall Council Approved Safety Standard for Psychosocial Health in the workplace. The Standard, endorsed by the Executive of VTHC, sets out what we as a union movement expect of all employers in regard to the psychosocial health of workers. ... Much like we have done in the past with crystalline silica and bushfire smoke, we expect this standard to lead the way where regulatory frameworks have not caught up with the state of knowledge and community expectations. We recommend that HSRs inform their employers about the new standard, and use it to evaluate whether the employer is meeting their obligations under the Act. You can read more about it, and download a PDF, here: https://www.ohsrep.org.au/psychosocial_health
09.01.2022 Remember when the OHS Act got updated to mean that your employer can be fined not just for not consulting, but not consulting PROPERLY? By deleting s36 and incorporating it into s35, it became a fineable offence if the employer failed to: -share with the employees information about the matter on which the employer is required to consult; and... -give the employees a reasonable opportunity to express their views about the matter; and -take into account those views. How's your does your employer rate with regard to the above?
08.01.2022 Do you have OHS clauses in your EBA? Do you have negotiations coming up soon and thinking about how to improve conditions? Take a look at our library of OHS-related EBA clauses! We think you'll find something to suit your needs, whatever you're looking for. Keep in mind it's something we'll be adding to over time, so if you click on something and nothing happens it's because we haven't added it yet. ... And if you have a clause you'd like to bring to our attention let us know in the comments and we'll dig it up from Fair Work!
08.01.2022 Hi everyone! We're aware of some issues people are having when logging into the conference using Internet Explorer. We recommend using Google Chrome, which is just a different web browser and is very easy to install. Click the link below and follow the instructions. ... Also be sure to change your default browser to Google Chrome, in your computer's settings. Once you've done that, follow the instructions below as normal. Alternatively, you can use the same link on your phone if that is easier for you. If you find yourself on a landing page with some smooth jazz, you're in the right place and things are getting started soon! Apologies for the confusion!
07.01.2022 Things have been moving fast, but take a deep breath (through your mask). Work is very chaotic right now, but that doesn't mean everything we know and depend on gets thrown out. Take 10 minutes and evaluate how your workplace is doing. Give the union a call, even just to check in. It'll be worth it in the long run.
06.01.2022 Relatable content alert. Your mental health is important all year round, not just on RUOK day when the boss sends out an email. We can look after each other at... work by getting organised - elect an HSR and get them trained up. This year's OHS conference, on psychosocial health, is a great place to start! https://www.ohsrep.org.au/conference See more
06.01.2022 TOMORROW NIGHT Join us for another instalment of the We Are Union: OHS Reps Live Show, where we’ll be going in depth on VTHC’s Psychosocial Health Standard that was released last week! Special guest will be our very own Dominic Melling, who is going to talk us through the standard and what it will mean for HSRs and thier workplaces. ... See you tomorrow night (Wednesday) - right here at 7pm!
05.01.2022 OHS Live Show 18th November - 7:00pm - We Are Union: OHS Reps Facebook Page Join us for a very special OHS Live Show, as we have 3 guests to discuss the relationship between HSRs and Injured Workers and take questions from the audience.... If you've ever wanted to know about navigating the WorkCover system, returning to work and what the HSRs role can be after an injury has occurred, this is the episode for you!
05.01.2022 In accordance with Stage 4 restrictions, all businesses in metropolitan Melbourne must have finalised their COVID Safe Plan by 11:59 TONIGHT. (Friday, August 7) The COVID Safe Plan must set out: -The employer's actions to help prevent the introduction of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your workplace... -The level of face-covering or personal protective equipment (PPE) required in your workplace -How the employer will prepare for, and respond to, a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your workplace -How the employer will meet all of the requirements set out by the Victorian Government. Some higher-risk industries or workplaces have additional requirements of employers and employees. More info at: https://www.business.vic.gov.au//covid-saf/covid-safe-plan Contact your union or the OHS Team at Trades Hall if you have any questions.
04.01.2022 If you participated in this week's conference around Psychological Health and at work (or even if you didn't) and you'd like to know more about the Mind Your Head project, you can check out the website below! You'll find a bunch of great resources and ideas for how to tackle mental health problems in your workplace.
04.01.2022 Have you heard?! Registrations are open for the 2020 HSR Conference! Things are obviously a bit different this year, so instead of heading down to the MCEC, we'll be holding the conference online. But with s69 approval from WorkSafe, it counts as a day of training just like in previous years. Head over to the website to register and take a look at the program for the day, and we'll see you there!
04.01.2022 Please share this opportunity to make gig work safer and fairer for workers. www.gigworkers.com.au/inquiry
03.01.2022 It can't be overstated how huge this is. Being unable to access sick leave as a casual worker has massive implications for health and safety. We've seen this during the pandemic, but it's also much bigger than that. Very welcome news this morning from the Andrews Government.
02.01.2022 Asking "RUOK" is nice, but kind of the minimum we should expect of the people around us. To make our workplaces physically safe and supportive of good psychosocial health, we need to organise. Elect an OHS rep, and get them along to training. Because after "Are you ok?", there has to be space for an honest answer. There has to be someone who is trained to hear a hard answer. There have to be processes to support action if the answer is "No, not really".... So take today as an opportunity to talk to your union comrades. Now more than ever, we need to look out for our mental health at work. #ruokeveryday
02.01.2022 The Injured Workers Support Network Victoria getting it done - telling the story of how the system has treated them for a government review of the role of insurance agents in complex claims. Strong effort
