Written by Julie McLoughlin

8 Tips How Small Business and Not-for Profits (NFPs) can meet OHS Obligations on a restricted budget

Meeting Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) obligations is a critical responsibility for all businesses, including small businesses and not-for-profit organisations. However, with limited resources, it can be challenging to implement comprehensive safety measures. Here’s a guide on how to effectively manage OHS obligations without straining your budget. 1. Understand Your OHS Obligations and OHS Compliance […]

Written by Julie McLoughlin

Enhancing Online Inductions: Leveraging Moodle for Seamless Training Experiences

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, online training and induction programs have become essential for organisations to onboard new employees and contractors efficiently and effectively. Among the myriad of e-learning platforms available, Moodle stands out as a versatile and user-friendly solution for creating engaging and interactive online contractor and or staff induction courses. In this article, […]

Written by Julie McLoughlin

Embracing Diversity and Inclusion: The Cornerstones of Safety Excellence

In today’s dynamic workplace landscape, the concept of safety extends far beyond physical hazards and compliance with regulations. It encompasses fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and included. Embracing diversity and inclusion (D&I) isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s also integral to achieving safety excellence within your organisation. Understanding Diversity and Inclusion […]

Written by Julie McLoughlin

Understanding WHS, OHS and PCBU meaning: An Essential Guide to Australian Safety Terminology

Understanding WHS, OHS and PCBU meaning: An Essential Guide to Australian Safety Terminology

Written by Julie McLoughlin

How to Complete a Workplace Psychosocial Risk Assessment

Psychosocial risk assessments are an essential tool for identifying and managing mental health hazards in the workplace. By conducting a thorough assessment, employers can better understand the psychological and social factors that may impact their employees’ well-being and performance. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to complete a workplace psychosocial […]

Written by Julie McLoughlin

2026 OHS HEALTH CHECKS – BOOK NOW!

Are you meeting your OHS obligations under OHS Legislation? Do a quick check of your OHS Management Systems now, complete this free survey and check your score: SafetyMAP Diagnostic Quiz Get your OHS health check now and plan for the next 12 months A ½ day site visit includes review of your documentation, observation and […]

Written by Julie McLoughlin

Hazardous Manual Handling – New Free Tools from WorkSafe Victoria

WorkSafe Victoria have some great new free online tools to help you identify and control the risks relating to hazardous manual handling at work.  It is a legal requirement that employers risk assess all hazardous manual handling task in consultation with employees, and up until now this has been difficult to document.  The new documents […]

Written by Julie McLoughlin

New Victorian WorkSafe Compliance code: Workplace facilities and the working environment

The Compliance code for Workplace facilities and the working environment focuses on ensuring that employers provide safe and suitable facilities for their employees. This includes areas such as toilets, rest areas, drinking water, and temperature control. The code emphasizes the importance of maintaining cleanliness, hygiene, and accessibility in these facilities. It also addresses the need […]

Written by Julie McLoughlin

Silica Dust

Silica dust exposure poses a significant health risk for workers in various industries, particularlythose involved in activities like mining, construction, and manufacturing, where crystalline silicais prevalent in materials such as sand, concrete, and stone. Inhaling fine silica particles overextended periods can lead to the development of a debilitating lung disease known as silicosis.Silicosis is characterized […]

Written by Julie McLoughlin

Office and Home Office Safety Course – SafetyInduct.com.au

https://safetyinduct.com.au/course/view.php?id=154 For employees: In this course you can check your workstation ergonomics (home or office) and provide a report for your employer, which may include some requests for changes or additions to your current set up.  For employers: If you have employees working at computers (either at home or in the office) you can help […]

Written by Julie McLoughlin

Top 10 Reasons Why Your Business Should Develop an Online Induction

In today’s digital age, businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to streamline their operations and enhance employee onboarding processes. One such solution gaining popularity is the development of online inductions. This article will explore the top 10 reasons why your business should consider implementing an online induction program. Conclusion:Developing an online induction program offers numerous […]

Written by Julie McLoughlin

When will we see the Victorian OHS Regulations Amendment for Psychosocial Hazards?

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations are crucial for ensuring the well-being of employees in the workplace. In recent years, the focus on workplace safety has extended beyond physical hazards to include psychosocial hazards, which can have a significant impact on employees’ mental and emotional health. In Victoria, Australia, there has been growing anticipation regarding […]

Written by Julie McLoughlin

The Importance of Workplace Mental Health Awareness Training

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the significance of mental health in the workplace. As our understanding of mental health deepens and societal attitudes evolve, organisations are placing greater emphasis on supporting the psychological well-being of their employees. One powerful tool that has emerged in this context is Workplace Mental Health […]

Written by Julie McLoughlin

Workplace Gendered Violence including Sexual Harassment – Victoria

WorkSafe Victoria and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) have recently released new guidance on this topic. In Victoria, sexual harassment has previously been covered by the Equal Opportunity Act 2010, and was not seen at an OHS hazard. Now that WorkSafe is providing guidance, it is most definitely seen as an […]

Written by Julie McLoughlin

Summary and Comment – Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations Draft

WorkSafe has just released this draft for public comment which is planned to come into operation 1 July 2022. The purpose of this article is to summarise the key requirements in the draft and comment on my opinion of the draft. Here is the link to the draft and related information https://engage.vic.gov.au/proposed-psychological-health-regulations The objectives of […]

Written by Julie McLoughlin

Review of OHS Body of Knowledge BOK New Chapter – OHS Management Systems (OHSMS)

There is a new chapter in the Body of Knowledge (BOK) which is available and free for all to download via the link below. These chapters are quite long and theory – based. I have tried to summarise the key parts of the chapter and have blended various ideas provided to reflect my own thoughts […]

Written by Julie McLoughlin

Do Health and Safety Representatives (HSR)s have more power or responsibility? 

We held a LinkedIn survey last week, see results in the picture below. Our survey results suggest that people generally think that responsibility is more important than power for HSRs. Speaking about requirements in Victoria, if we go by the “Vic OHS Act 2004 s58 Powers of health and safety representatives”, I suggest that the […]

Written by Julie McLoughlin

Summary of Victoria’s new Workplace Manslaughter offences as discussed in the WorkSafe Victoria “Understanding Workplace Manslaughter” Webinar May 2020

The Workplace Safety Legislation Amendment (Workplace Manslaughter and other matters) Bill 2019 passed Parliament in November 2019 and comes in to place on the 1st July 2020. There are no additional duties required by duty holders, however the consequence for not meeting current duties under the Victorian OHS Act 2004 have been significantly increased. Therefore, […]