Occupational Health and Safety Standards in the UK and Australia
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This report provides a comparative analysis of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards in the United Kingdom and Australia. It begins by defining OHS and its importance, followed by a comparison of the laws in force, highlighting the key legislation in each country. The report then contrasts OHS practices, focusing on the Health and Work Strategy in the UK and the Safe Work Act in Australia. Furthermore, the report explores the influence of political backgrounds and industrial cultures on workplace safety, discussing the exploitation of migrant workers and the dominance of different industries in each country. The analysis concludes by summarizing the key differences and similarities, emphasizing the impact of culture on OHS standards and the need for effective enforcement of regulations to protect workers.
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Running head: WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
WHS Standard in the United Kingdom and Australia
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:
WHS Standard in the United Kingdom and Australia
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:
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WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
Table of Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................2
Occupational health and Safety:......................................................................................................2
OHS Standard in the UK and Australia-a comparison and contrast:...............................................3
Comparison 1: The Laws in force:..............................................................................................3
Comparison 2: Difference in OHS practices between Britain and Australia:.............................3
Comparison 3: Political backgrounds and its effect on work culture:.........................................5
Comparison 4: Industrial culture:................................................................................................6
Conclusion:......................................................................................................................................7
References:......................................................................................................................................8
WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
Table of Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................2
Occupational health and Safety:......................................................................................................2
OHS Standard in the UK and Australia-a comparison and contrast:...............................................3
Comparison 1: The Laws in force:..............................................................................................3
Comparison 2: Difference in OHS practices between Britain and Australia:.............................3
Comparison 3: Political backgrounds and its effect on work culture:.........................................5
Comparison 4: Industrial culture:................................................................................................6
Conclusion:......................................................................................................................................7
References:......................................................................................................................................8
2
WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
Introduction:
The paper compares between the performance of Occupational Health and Safety
Standards, an HRM function in two countries. It also delves into the cultural differences between
these two countries and their implication on the OHS practices. The study considers Britain and
Australia as the two countries for the study. The paper opens with a section which gives the
readers the basic ideas about Occupational health and safety standards and their importance. This
sections also introduces the two country forming the basis of the comparison, the United
Kingdom and Australia. This is followed by the grounds of comparison starting with the OHS
laws in force. The next point of comparison is differences in OHS practices in Britain and
Australia. This is followed by a comparison between the political and the industrial cultures
prevailing in these two countries.
Occupational health and Safety:
Occupational health and Safety(OHS), Occupational safety and health(OSH) or Work
Place Health and Safety (WHS) refers to multidisciplinary standard of safety measures which
involves health and safety of the workers in the workplaces like factories and workshops. They
aim to provide safe and healthy environments to the workers. The objectives of OHS are to
reduce the accidents, injuries and fatalities in the offices. OHS encompasses workers, customers,
employers and all the individuals who are impacted by the environment in the workplaces.
Occupational health and safety is applicable in myriads of sectors like agriculture, mining and
healthcare. The governments of almost all countries like the United Kingdom and Australia have
made laws pertaining to OHS and necessitate the companies functioning within their jurisdiction
to abide by them.
WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
Introduction:
The paper compares between the performance of Occupational Health and Safety
Standards, an HRM function in two countries. It also delves into the cultural differences between
these two countries and their implication on the OHS practices. The study considers Britain and
Australia as the two countries for the study. The paper opens with a section which gives the
readers the basic ideas about Occupational health and safety standards and their importance. This
sections also introduces the two country forming the basis of the comparison, the United
Kingdom and Australia. This is followed by the grounds of comparison starting with the OHS
laws in force. The next point of comparison is differences in OHS practices in Britain and
Australia. This is followed by a comparison between the political and the industrial cultures
prevailing in these two countries.
Occupational health and Safety:
Occupational health and Safety(OHS), Occupational safety and health(OSH) or Work
Place Health and Safety (WHS) refers to multidisciplinary standard of safety measures which
involves health and safety of the workers in the workplaces like factories and workshops. They
aim to provide safe and healthy environments to the workers. The objectives of OHS are to
reduce the accidents, injuries and fatalities in the offices. OHS encompasses workers, customers,
employers and all the individuals who are impacted by the environment in the workplaces.
Occupational health and safety is applicable in myriads of sectors like agriculture, mining and
healthcare. The governments of almost all countries like the United Kingdom and Australia have
made laws pertaining to OHS and necessitate the companies functioning within their jurisdiction
to abide by them.
3
WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
OHS Standard in the UK and Australia-a comparison and contrast:
Comparison 1: The Laws in force:
The foundation law enforcing health and safety in the United Kingdom is Health and
Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Legislation.gov.uk. 2017). The Health and Safety Executive is the
department that looks into the enforcement of the law (Hse.gov.uk. 2017).
The foundation law enforcing occupational health and safety in Australia is the Fair
Work Act 2008 (Legislation.gov.au. 2017). The Fair Work Ombudsmen educate people and
enforce workplace laws. The body in Australia looking into workplace health and safety
enforcement is Safe Work Australia. The other foundation law looking into accurate enforcement
of WHS in Australia is Commonwealth Work Health and Safety Act 2011(Fair Work
Ombudsman. 2017).
Comparison 2: Difference in OHS practices between Britain and Australia:
The Health and Work Strategy of the United Kingdom covers the work related stress,
muscular disorders and occupational lung diseases. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
in these three areas strive to ensure workplace safety and minimised accidents and fatalities.
The priority of HSE in the area of work related stress is to reduce the number of ill health
caused due to stress stemming from work. The committee seeks to improve management
standards and engage the key stakeholders like governments and legal bodies.
The proprieties of HSE in case of muscular disorder are to reduce the number of fatalities
and muscle damage due to it in the workplaces. The body seeks to gain support of the
stakeholders like governments, communities. The HSE aims to intervene activities involving
WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
OHS Standard in the UK and Australia-a comparison and contrast:
Comparison 1: The Laws in force:
The foundation law enforcing health and safety in the United Kingdom is Health and
Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Legislation.gov.uk. 2017). The Health and Safety Executive is the
department that looks into the enforcement of the law (Hse.gov.uk. 2017).
The foundation law enforcing occupational health and safety in Australia is the Fair
Work Act 2008 (Legislation.gov.au. 2017). The Fair Work Ombudsmen educate people and
enforce workplace laws. The body in Australia looking into workplace health and safety
enforcement is Safe Work Australia. The other foundation law looking into accurate enforcement
of WHS in Australia is Commonwealth Work Health and Safety Act 2011(Fair Work
Ombudsman. 2017).
Comparison 2: Difference in OHS practices between Britain and Australia:
The Health and Work Strategy of the United Kingdom covers the work related stress,
muscular disorders and occupational lung diseases. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
in these three areas strive to ensure workplace safety and minimised accidents and fatalities.
The priority of HSE in the area of work related stress is to reduce the number of ill health
caused due to stress stemming from work. The committee seeks to improve management
standards and engage the key stakeholders like governments and legal bodies.
The proprieties of HSE in case of muscular disorder are to reduce the number of fatalities
and muscle damage due to it in the workplaces. The body seeks to gain support of the
stakeholders like governments, communities. The HSE aims to intervene activities involving
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WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
high risks. The Health and Work Strategy aims to promote benefits to the employees, reduce the
injuries and the resultant loss of productivity.
The Health and Work Strategy, the United Kingdom while ensuring safety of workers
from lung diseases, aims to improve the environments in the workplaces. The HSE tries to study
and look into lung diseases like pollution. The HSE here conducts research on the lung ailments
like asthma, legionella and monitor their impacts on the people.
The Safe Work Act of Australia seeks to develop national policies to ensure workplace
safety. The aim of the Act is to work according to a model approved by the Ministerial
Council and embraces the codes of practice laid down by the Commonwealth laws pertaining to
workers’ safety.
The Model Codes of Practice under the Safe Work Australia are categorised into several
groups each mentioning a specific types of accidents and their workplaces. For example, there
are different codes of conduct for different types of injuries like confined spaces, construction
and excavation sites which are exposed.
A comparison between the OHS practices of the United Kingdom and Australia shows
that the Health and Safety at Work look into three areas namely, work related stress,
muscloskeletal problem and occupational lung diseases. It also shows that compared to the
United Kingdom OHS, Australia’s safety laws encompasses multiple types of workplaces where
accidents can occur like abrasive blasting, confined spaces and construction work. Thus it can be
opined that the areas covered by the occupational health and safety acts in Australia are larger
compared to the United Kingdom. Hence it can be inferred from the discussion that the work
culture of the Australian OHS laws is higher.
WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
high risks. The Health and Work Strategy aims to promote benefits to the employees, reduce the
injuries and the resultant loss of productivity.
The Health and Work Strategy, the United Kingdom while ensuring safety of workers
from lung diseases, aims to improve the environments in the workplaces. The HSE tries to study
and look into lung diseases like pollution. The HSE here conducts research on the lung ailments
like asthma, legionella and monitor their impacts on the people.
The Safe Work Act of Australia seeks to develop national policies to ensure workplace
safety. The aim of the Act is to work according to a model approved by the Ministerial
Council and embraces the codes of practice laid down by the Commonwealth laws pertaining to
workers’ safety.
The Model Codes of Practice under the Safe Work Australia are categorised into several
groups each mentioning a specific types of accidents and their workplaces. For example, there
are different codes of conduct for different types of injuries like confined spaces, construction
and excavation sites which are exposed.
A comparison between the OHS practices of the United Kingdom and Australia shows
that the Health and Safety at Work look into three areas namely, work related stress,
muscloskeletal problem and occupational lung diseases. It also shows that compared to the
United Kingdom OHS, Australia’s safety laws encompasses multiple types of workplaces where
accidents can occur like abrasive blasting, confined spaces and construction work. Thus it can be
opined that the areas covered by the occupational health and safety acts in Australia are larger
compared to the United Kingdom. Hence it can be inferred from the discussion that the work
culture of the Australian OHS laws is higher.
5
WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
Comparison 3: Political backgrounds and its effect on work culture:
The difference in the political cultural scenario between Australia and Britain have deep
impacts on the OHS practices prevailing in the two nations. Britain was an imperialistic power
having colonies in various countries including Australia. The political culture in Britain is stable
and facilitates industrialisation. This attracts migrants from various countries in search of obs
including Australia. The British employers consider the Australian employees inferior and
exploit them. This sense of political superiority among the British against the Australian migrant
workers leads to exploit of the later. They are often forced to work under unhealthy and unsafe
working environment. The British employers use racism to exploit the migrant employees owing
the erstwhile political superiority of Britain over most of the nations in the world. The anti-
migrant work culture in Britain breaches the United Kingdom is Health and Safety at Work etc.
Act 1974. This proves that the OHS in Britain is not in full practice and requires action from the
Health and Safety Executive (Ft.com. 2017).
Australia was politically under Britain and her workforce faced exploitation in the hands
of the British employers. The country today is a political stable democracy and this has favoured
industrialisation. The nation like Britain attracts a huge number of migrants from all over the
world. Reports show that the employers in Australia force their workforces to work under unsafe
and unhealthy conditions like their British counterparts. The migrants are mostly made to work
on construction sites and other dangerous places of work (Smith et al. 2015). This exploitative
work culture of Australia has posed serious threats to occupational health and safety. It is even
attracted intervention from the Fair Work Ombudsman and criticism from the media. This
comparison shows that though Britain and Australia have different political backgrounds, both
WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
Comparison 3: Political backgrounds and its effect on work culture:
The difference in the political cultural scenario between Australia and Britain have deep
impacts on the OHS practices prevailing in the two nations. Britain was an imperialistic power
having colonies in various countries including Australia. The political culture in Britain is stable
and facilitates industrialisation. This attracts migrants from various countries in search of obs
including Australia. The British employers consider the Australian employees inferior and
exploit them. This sense of political superiority among the British against the Australian migrant
workers leads to exploit of the later. They are often forced to work under unhealthy and unsafe
working environment. The British employers use racism to exploit the migrant employees owing
the erstwhile political superiority of Britain over most of the nations in the world. The anti-
migrant work culture in Britain breaches the United Kingdom is Health and Safety at Work etc.
Act 1974. This proves that the OHS in Britain is not in full practice and requires action from the
Health and Safety Executive (Ft.com. 2017).
Australia was politically under Britain and her workforce faced exploitation in the hands
of the British employers. The country today is a political stable democracy and this has favoured
industrialisation. The nation like Britain attracts a huge number of migrants from all over the
world. Reports show that the employers in Australia force their workforces to work under unsafe
and unhealthy conditions like their British counterparts. The migrants are mostly made to work
on construction sites and other dangerous places of work (Smith et al. 2015). This exploitative
work culture of Australia has posed serious threats to occupational health and safety. It is even
attracted intervention from the Fair Work Ombudsman and criticism from the media. This
comparison shows that though Britain and Australia have different political backgrounds, both
6
WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
the countries practice exploitation on workers and the occupational health and safety laws in
force (Ollé-Espluga et al. 2015).
Comparison 4: Industrial culture:
There exists a strong difference between the dominant industries in the United Kingdom
and Australia which account for the difference in industrial culture and OHS between these two
countries. The service industry is the dominant industry in the United Kingdom which allows
minimum physical exploitation of employees. The other important industries in the country are
manufacturing, tourism and defence. It can be pointed that these industrious are less hazardous
and have safer working environment. It can also be pointed out that the industries in the United
come under the purview of the European Union which enforces safer working conditions. The
factories in the United have shown good working practices where the employers provide
healthier working conditions. The employers even provide safety trainings to their employees
which have helped to curd accidents (Eurofound.europa.eu. 2017).
Compared to the industrial structure of Britain dominated by service industry, Australia’s
industry is dominated by mining and energy. These industries are extremely hazardous and
employ large number of labourers who have to do dangerous tasks. This leaves scopes for
exploitation of the workers in the hands of the mine owners(Yazdani et al. 2015). The Australian
employers have been known to exploit their migrant employees. This hostile work culture in the
industries of Australia has attracted enforcement of strong legal actions from the government.
This comparison between the industrial cultures of Britain and Australia shows that the former
has healthier industrial work culture than the latter. This also shows that the industrial culture of
Britain allows greater degree of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) (MacIntyre et al. 2014).
WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
the countries practice exploitation on workers and the occupational health and safety laws in
force (Ollé-Espluga et al. 2015).
Comparison 4: Industrial culture:
There exists a strong difference between the dominant industries in the United Kingdom
and Australia which account for the difference in industrial culture and OHS between these two
countries. The service industry is the dominant industry in the United Kingdom which allows
minimum physical exploitation of employees. The other important industries in the country are
manufacturing, tourism and defence. It can be pointed that these industrious are less hazardous
and have safer working environment. It can also be pointed out that the industries in the United
come under the purview of the European Union which enforces safer working conditions. The
factories in the United have shown good working practices where the employers provide
healthier working conditions. The employers even provide safety trainings to their employees
which have helped to curd accidents (Eurofound.europa.eu. 2017).
Compared to the industrial structure of Britain dominated by service industry, Australia’s
industry is dominated by mining and energy. These industries are extremely hazardous and
employ large number of labourers who have to do dangerous tasks. This leaves scopes for
exploitation of the workers in the hands of the mine owners(Yazdani et al. 2015). The Australian
employers have been known to exploit their migrant employees. This hostile work culture in the
industries of Australia has attracted enforcement of strong legal actions from the government.
This comparison between the industrial cultures of Britain and Australia shows that the former
has healthier industrial work culture than the latter. This also shows that the industrial culture of
Britain allows greater degree of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) (MacIntyre et al. 2014).
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WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
Conclusion:
The discussion reveals a number of strong between Britain and Australia in the areas of
OHS and culture related to it. Australia has a more detailed legal framework to ensure workplace
safety. Britain too has a very apparently strong OHS framework. However, both the nations
exploit their migrant workers and violate their respective OHS laws in force. However, the
comparison on the basis of industrial culture revealed that the industrial culture of Australia is
more hazardous in nature due to its dominant mining sector. The study proves a culture has a
great on the standards of occupational health and safety standards.
WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
Conclusion:
The discussion reveals a number of strong between Britain and Australia in the areas of
OHS and culture related to it. Australia has a more detailed legal framework to ensure workplace
safety. Britain too has a very apparently strong OHS framework. However, both the nations
exploit their migrant workers and violate their respective OHS laws in force. However, the
comparison on the basis of industrial culture revealed that the industrial culture of Australia is
more hazardous in nature due to its dominant mining sector. The study proves a culture has a
great on the standards of occupational health and safety standards.
8
WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
References:
Eurofound.europa.eu. 2017. Place of work and working conditions – UK | Eurofound. [online]
Available at: https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/observatories/eurwork/comparative-
information/national-contributions/united-kingdom/place-of-work-and-working-conditions-uk
[Accessed 11 Aug. 2017].
Fair Work Ombudsman. 2017. Welcome to the Fair Work Ombudsman website. [online]
Available at: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us [Accessed 11 Aug. 2017]
Ft.com. 2017. Ruthless UK employers trap migrants in ‘modern-day slavery’. [online] Available
at: https://www.ft.com/content/43daccd0-410d-11e5-9abe-5b335da3a90e?mhq5j=e1 [Accessed
11 Aug. 2017].
Hse.gov.uk. 2017. About the Health and Safety Executive – health and safety at work. [online]
Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/insidehse.htm [Accessed 11 Aug. 2017].
Legislation.gov.au. 2017. Safe Work Australia Act 2008. [online] Available at:
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2014C00495 [Accessed 11 Aug. 2017].
Legislation.gov.au. 2017. Work Health and Safety Act 2011. [online] Available at:
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2016C00887 [Accessed 11 Aug. 2017].
Legislation.gov.uk. 2017. Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. [online] Available at:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37/contents [Accessed 11 Aug. 2017].
MacIntyre, C.R., Chughtai, A.A., Seale, H., Richards, G.A. and Davidson, P.M., 2014.
Respiratory protection for healthcare workers treating Ebola virus disease (EVD): Are facemasks
WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
References:
Eurofound.europa.eu. 2017. Place of work and working conditions – UK | Eurofound. [online]
Available at: https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/observatories/eurwork/comparative-
information/national-contributions/united-kingdom/place-of-work-and-working-conditions-uk
[Accessed 11 Aug. 2017].
Fair Work Ombudsman. 2017. Welcome to the Fair Work Ombudsman website. [online]
Available at: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us [Accessed 11 Aug. 2017]
Ft.com. 2017. Ruthless UK employers trap migrants in ‘modern-day slavery’. [online] Available
at: https://www.ft.com/content/43daccd0-410d-11e5-9abe-5b335da3a90e?mhq5j=e1 [Accessed
11 Aug. 2017].
Hse.gov.uk. 2017. About the Health and Safety Executive – health and safety at work. [online]
Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/insidehse.htm [Accessed 11 Aug. 2017].
Legislation.gov.au. 2017. Safe Work Australia Act 2008. [online] Available at:
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2014C00495 [Accessed 11 Aug. 2017].
Legislation.gov.au. 2017. Work Health and Safety Act 2011. [online] Available at:
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2016C00887 [Accessed 11 Aug. 2017].
Legislation.gov.uk. 2017. Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. [online] Available at:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/37/contents [Accessed 11 Aug. 2017].
MacIntyre, C.R., Chughtai, A.A., Seale, H., Richards, G.A. and Davidson, P.M., 2014.
Respiratory protection for healthcare workers treating Ebola virus disease (EVD): Are facemasks
9
WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
sufficient to meet occupational health and safety obligations?. International journal of nursing
studies, 51(11), pp.1421-1426.
Ollé-Espluga, L., Vergara-Duarte, M., Belvis, F., Menéndez-Fuster, M., Jódar, P. and Benach, J.,
2015. What is the impact on occupational health and safety when workers know they have safety
representatives?. Safety science, 74, pp.55-58.
Safe Work Australia. 2017. Model Codes of Practice. [online] Available at:
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/resources_publications/model-codes-of-practice
[Accessed 11 Aug. 2017]..
Smith, P.M., Saunders, R., Lifshen, M., Black, O., Lay, M., Breslin, F.C., LaMontagne, A.D. and
Tompa, E., 2015. The development of a conceptual model and self-reported measure of
occupational health and safety vulnerability. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 82, pp.234-243.
Yazdani, A., Neumann, P., Imbeau, D., Bigelow, P., Pagell, M., Theberge, N., Hilbrecht, M. and
Wells, R., 2015. How compatible are participatory ergonomics programs with occupational
health and safety management systems?. Scandinavian journal of work, environment &
health, 41(2), pp.111-123.
WHS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA
sufficient to meet occupational health and safety obligations?. International journal of nursing
studies, 51(11), pp.1421-1426.
Ollé-Espluga, L., Vergara-Duarte, M., Belvis, F., Menéndez-Fuster, M., Jódar, P. and Benach, J.,
2015. What is the impact on occupational health and safety when workers know they have safety
representatives?. Safety science, 74, pp.55-58.
Safe Work Australia. 2017. Model Codes of Practice. [online] Available at:
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/resources_publications/model-codes-of-practice
[Accessed 11 Aug. 2017]..
Smith, P.M., Saunders, R., Lifshen, M., Black, O., Lay, M., Breslin, F.C., LaMontagne, A.D. and
Tompa, E., 2015. The development of a conceptual model and self-reported measure of
occupational health and safety vulnerability. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 82, pp.234-243.
Yazdani, A., Neumann, P., Imbeau, D., Bigelow, P., Pagell, M., Theberge, N., Hilbrecht, M. and
Wells, R., 2015. How compatible are participatory ergonomics programs with occupational
health and safety management systems?. Scandinavian journal of work, environment &
health, 41(2), pp.111-123.
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