Final answer:
Employee rights in WHS/OHS include working in safe conditions, receiving relevant safety training, and access to injury records. Employers are responsible for providing a safe workplace, training employees on hazards, keeping safety records, and consulting with employees on safety matters. Barriers to employee involvement may include language and comprehension barriers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Employee Rights and Employer Obligations in WHS/OHS
When discussing Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) or Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), there are specific rights and obligations that both employees and employers must be aware of to ensure a safe work environment.
Employee Rights
Employees have the right to:
- Work in conditions that are free of known serious hazards.
- Receive information and training about workplace hazards and measures to prevent harm.
- Access to records of work-related injuries and illnesses.
Employer Obligations
Employers must:
- Provide a safe workplace by eliminating or reducing hazards.
- Inform and train workers about chemical hazards through various methods.
- Keep records, perform tests, and provide necessary personal protective equipment at no cost.
- Post OSHA citations and summaries of work-related injuries and illnesses.
Consultation on WHS/OHS Matters
Employers are obligated to consult with their employees on matters of health and safety. This means actively engaging with workers to discuss and address safety concerns in the workplace.
Barriers to Employee Involvement
A potential barrier to employee involvement in WHS/OHS could be a lack of understanding or language barriers, hence the importance of providing training in a language and vocabulary that workers can understand.