History of Occupational and Health Safety - Essay Example

1900

Labor unions agitate for worker’s compensation systems due to the high number of deaths and injuries in the workplace

Factory Acts

1916

States and territories introduce specific laws on death and injury compensation

Workmen’s compensation Act 1900

1919

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is formed in order to create awareness on the need for similarity of labor conditions and ensure similarity of employment conditions

Treaty of Versailles

1926

NSW introduces insurance to provide compensation to journey injuries incurred during transport to and from work

Workmen’s compensation commission

1945

World Health Organization (WHO) is formed in order to steer research on health promotion and emerging diseases

WHO

1947

All federal employees are allowed to work for a maximum of 40 hours a week

Conciliation and Arbitration court award

1958

Steel industry workers demand more comprehensive occupational health and safety laws. Accordingly, industries start introducing protective clothing, meals, rest breaks, improved conditions in mines, and protection against asbestos

Federated Iron Workers Association is formed

1971

The United States formed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to deal with a high number of workplace injuries and safeguard the environmental degradation

OSHA Act

1975

Whitlam government Commission looks into a federal accident compensation scheme in order to replace the existing territory and state compensation Schemes

Compensation and Rehabilitation in Australia Report of the National Committee of Inquiry

1975

Australian Manufacturing industry introduced new policies on health and safety hazards

Policies for the development of the manufacturing industry

1980

Committee inquires on the impact of technological change in Australia such as screen-based equipment like computers, and associated hazards like repetitive movement injuries, fatigue, and impact on eyesight (Johnstone & Tooma, 2012).

Technological change in Australia

1985

National standards and codes of practice for asbestos disposal and manual safe handling are introduced by the NOHSC

National Occupational Health and Safety Commission Act 1985

1988

The Australian parliament establishes guidelines on safety rehabilitation and compensation

Commonwealth employee’s Safety and Compensation Act is passed and establishes Comcare

1989

The occupational health and safety (Commonwealth employment) bill is introduced with the intention of replacing the codes of principles that guide the occupational health and safety

1991

Occupational health and safety (Commonwealth employees) Act 1991 is enacted in order to protect the employees of the commonwealth authority from risks arising from employment.  The employer must identify risks, control the risks or reduce the potential risks.

Occupational health and safety (Commonwealth employees) Act 1991

1992

Seafarers rehabilitation and compensation Act 1992

Seafarers rehabilitation and compensation Act 1992

1994

The Industry commission issues the compensation package for workers suffering from work-related injury and illness

Workers compensation in Australian guidelines

1995

Industry Commission issues the Work Health and Safety proposals that offer greater incentives for employers to introduce better safer work environments and allow for flexibility through the use of few legislations

Work health and safety

2002

The Commonwealth, State and territory governments, and Australian Council of Trade Unions abide to commit to the 2002-2012 National OHS strategy that aims at attaining a harmonized regulatory framework (Johnstone & Tooma, 2012).

National OHS 2002-2012 strategy

2003

The commonwealth extended its occupational health and safety standards and regulations to the Maritime Industry

Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) and National Standards Regulations 2003

2004

Australia ratified the ILO Convention 155 that aims at ensuring international occupational safety and health convention No 155

ILO Convention 155

2004

Amendments of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 is amended by the Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Amendment Act 2004 to alter the procedure of workplace investigations and improvement notices (Johnstone & Tooma, 2012).

Occupational health and safety (Commonwealth Employment) Amendment (Employee involvement and Compliance) Act 2004 (Johnstone & Tooma, 2012).

2005

Australian Workplace Safety standards Act 2005

Australian workplace safety standards Act 2005

2009

Safe work Australia Act 2009 and

Safe Work Australia Act and safe work Australia (consequential and transitional Provisions ) Act 2009

2011

Federal workplace minister canvasses the possibility of harmonized national systems of employee compensation. Employee groups also make submissions on concerns and support for the possible harmonization of OHS. The Work, health, and safety Act 2011 cover incident identification, WHS consultations, workplace entry provisions, regulations, and legal proceedings (Johnstone & Tooma, 2012).

Work, health and safety Act 2011 is finally passed into Law