Occupational Health and Safety

Welcome to the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania Occupational Health and Safety home page.

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is:

• The prevention of injury and illness in the workplace (including psychological illness)
• The promotion of wellness in the workplace

In the past it was thought that OHS only related to pai d employees and to workplaces such as factories. Legislation and social expectations has moved OHS from the factory floor to reflect the modern workplace and workplace arrangements.

The duty of care to volunteers, contractors and the general public is exactly the same as what is required for paid employees.

It is easy to think of the Synod Office or the local Uniting Care facility as a workplace. Church facilities and worship centres are also workplaces as paid employees work from these buildings.

Members of congregations often volunteer and undertake tasks within the programs of the church and members of the public attend church services and programs run by congregations. In all instances OHS is required both legally and ethically to be considered and to become an integrated part of all that we do within the Uniting Church.

This web site is to be used as a tool in the process of integrating OHS into the life of the Uniting Church.

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