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Health care and social assistance

Key safety information for workplaces including hospitals and medical services and social assistance services such as child care and counselling.

  • hospitals
  • medical services
  • pathology and diagnostic imaging services
  • allied health services
  • other health care services
  • residential care services
  • child care services
  • other social assistance services

Resources

Select a button and then scroll down.

  • Case studies
  • Codes, guides & checklists
  • Manager's WHS toolkit
  • Managing Harms
  • Research, reports and sector plans
  • Translated resources

Case studies

The physical demands of taking care of people - Safe Work Australia's Safe Work Month 2017 video.

Childcare video case study

Working with people, childcare worker Adam and physiotherapist Michaela's jobs are physically demanding, exposing them to risks such as body stressing and illnesses. In this video, they describe the ways they address these risks in their everyday processes and procedures, including being aware of their own bodies.

Lifestyle solutions

Keeping workers safe in the disability and out-of-home care sector.

Codes of Practice

Hazardous Chemicals

Exposure to chemicals is 100% preventable. Without the proper controls chemical exposure can cause cancer, respiratory illnesses, skin and eye irritations, as well as fire and explosion-related injuries. Our Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice (PDF 1.2MB) to help you manage hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

Manual Tasks

For many businesses, manual tasks are an important part of getting the job done. Some of these tasks can be hazardous and are often the most common cause of workplace injuries. Our Hazardous manual tasks Code of Practice (PDF 1.5MB) can help you create a safer work environment.

Managing the work environment and facilities (remote and isolated work)

Download SafeWork NSW's Code of Practice for Managing the work environment and facilities (PDF 409KB)

Checklists and factsheets

Childcare

Childcare - Storing Supplies & equipment (WorkSafe Victoria) (PDF 235kb)

Childcare - Using Cots highchairs & change tables (WorkSafe Victoria)

Childcare - Moving Equipment (PDF 403kb)

Childcare - Maintaining Indoor / Outdoor areas  (WorkSafe Victoria) (PDF  404kb)

Childcare - Working at Low levels (WorkSafe Victoria) (PDF  412kb)

Disability and home care

Information sharing checklist for service providers at commencement of support

A simple information sharing checklist to help identify hazards affecting worker safety as well as the individual being supported during the transition of services from one provider to another.

Risk assessment tool - transporting clients in a vehicle

A sample task related risk assessment checklist designed specifically for transporting people (clients) in a vehicle.

Risk assessment tool - general workplace environment

A simple risk assessment tool that will help identify hazards in the workplace that may cause harm to workers.

Transition of support from one provider to another

How to manage risks during the transition of patient support from one care provider to another.

Clinical setting

Blood, body fluid and needlestick exposure incidents - factsheet

Workers in a wide range of industries have the potential to be exposed to injury and illness through contact with blood or body substances via contaminated needlestick/sharps injuries and splash exposures. Our 'when to notify blood, body substance and needlestick injuries' fact sheet details when to notify SafeWork NSW.

Clinical waste

A fact sheet on packing and transporting clinical waste in accordance with dangerous goods transport legislation and the Australian Dangerous Goods Code.

General

Consultation

Consultation is a legal requirement and an essential part of managing health and safety risks (PDF 373kb)

Work stress tips

These stress tip sheets provide information on managing the organisational risk factors known to contribute to the risk of psychological injury.

Guides and kits

Childcare - Compliance Kit

A Worksafe Victoria resource on how to control the risks from the most common hazardous tasks in the childcare sector (PDF 3MB)

Contractors / Labour Hire

If you are employed as a contractor or sub-contractor, or through a labour hire recruiter or agency, you are a worker (NSW legislation definition) and have the same obligations to ensure your own and your co-workers’ health and safety.

Cytotoxic guide and related waste and risk management

Cytotoxic drugs are used to treat conditions such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and some ophthalmic conditions. The Cytotoxic drugs and related waste - risk management guide (PDF 2.7MB) provides practical advice to PCBUs and workers.

Managing Musculoskeletal Disorder Risks Guide

In the aged care sector, roles can vary, a number of tasks can be hazardous and may lead to workplace injuries. Learn how to manage them in our Hazardous Manual Tasks (Non-Clinical) in aged care guide (PDF 1.8MB).

Moving and handling people in the healthcare industry

A VicSafe handbook for workplaces that handle patients, residents and clients in health, aged care, rehabilitation and disability services.

Violence: Preventing and responding to work-related violence

Violence is a threat of harm (that can include psychological acts) that is enacted. In a work context it is the most extreme form of unacceptable behaviour. It covers a broad range of behaviours that can create a risk to the health and safety of workers. Use our guide Preventing and responding to work-related violence (PDF 168KB).

Working safely in people’s homes

A guide from the Queensland Office of Industrial Relations on how to manage work health and safety for working in people’s homes (PDF 1.9MB).

Manager’s WHS toolkit

The WHS Manager's Toolkit provides the HSCA sector with key resources to help them manage health and safety in their workplace.

General responsibilities as a manager

Understanding WHS responsibilities

Use this one page guide (PDF 40kb) to understand everyone's health and safety responsibilities.

Consultation

Consultation is a legal requirement and an essential part of managing health and safety risks. (PDF 373kb)

WHS induction template

Whenever you hire new workers, it's important that you incorporate safety into their induction to the worksite - before they start their job. Not only will this help them understand how to do their work safely. It will let them know that take safety seriously.

Download one of our WHS induction templates.

Labour hire checklist

This labour hire checklist is designed to assist host Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) in the induction process of labour hire workers.

Managing hazards in the health care and social assistance sector

Bullying

Workplace bullying is repeated, and unreasonable behaviour directed towards a worker or a group of workers that creates a risk to health and safety in the workplace.

Fatigue

Everyone in the workplace has a duty to make sure fatigue doesn’t create a risk to anyone’s health and safety.

Mental health

Recognising mental health and managing risks in the workplace that may lead to physical or psychological injury is an essential  part of creating a safe , healthy and productive workplace.

Traumatic stress kit

The Traumatic Stress Kit is a practical guide for responding, following a traumatic event such as a workplace incident, assault or natural disaster that can often involve threats to life, or witnessing or experiencing serious injuries.

Work-related stress tip sheets

The stress tip sheets provide information on managing the organisational risk factors known to contribute to the risk of psychological injury.

General information on mental health in the workplace

Violence

Work-related violence is any incident in which someone is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work.

Creating a mentally health workplace

Support your workplace be more mentally healthy by visiting www.mentalhealthatwork.nsw.gov.au

  • Sign up for FREE mental health training delivered by Black Dog Institute
  • Learn how to support your workplace throughout the COVID-19 recovery
  • Complete the Mental Health Capability Check for simple steps businesses can take to make change
  • Understand the risk factors for poor mental health at work
  • Use the tools specific for managers and workers

Recovery at work toolkit

  • Mental Health for Medical Professionals
  • Mentally Healthy Workplace Toolkit  (PDF 10MB) Worksafe Queensland
Manager training

Mental health training for managers

Managing for Team Wellbeing

In partnership with Black Dog Institute we are providing free mental health training for managers and people leaders across NSW.

The two training options are:

1. Online interactive workshops delivered by a clinical psychologist from Black Dog Institute via Zoom
Length: 3 hours 
Format: Zoom meeting

This training is delivered live by a clinical psychologist and incorporates carious interactive tools for engagement including polls. breakout rooms, and a whiteboard. You will be given the opportunity to ask specific questions on any issues you are facing. The training can be organised at a time and date to suit your workplace with up to 25 participants, or you can attend a public workshop.

2.Self-paced online training
Length: 60 minutes 
Format; Four-part online module

Black Dog Institute

Managing Harms

The nature of the work, particularly caring for people, presents specific hazards for workers, as does working in an environment with high job demand, time pressures and often unique resourcing needs.

Each workplace is different, and you need to know what the hazards are in your business so you can assess the risk they pose. To help you get started, we’ve prepared information on how to identify hazards and manage the risks common to the health care and social assistance industry including:

Bullying

Information on what is defined as workplace bullying, who to contact and how we can help.

Clinical waste

A fact sheet on packing and transporting clinical waste in accordance with dangerous goods transport legislation and the Australian Dangerous Goods Code.

Fatigue

Everyone in the workplace has a duty to make sure fatigue doesn’t create a risk to anyone’s health and safety.

Hazardous Chemicals

Exposure to chemicals is 100% preventable. Without the proper controls chemical exposure can cause cancer, respiratory illnesses, skin and eye irritations, as well as fire and explosion-related injuries. Our Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice (PDF 1.2MB) to help you manage hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

Manual Tasks

For many businesses, manual tasks are an important part of getting the job done. Some of these tasks can be hazardous and are often the most common cause of workplace injuries. Our Hazardous manual tasks Code of Practice (PDF 1.5MB) can help you create a safer work environment.

Musculskeletal disorders (MSD)

Musculoskeletal disorders are injuries and disorders that affect the human body’s movement or musculoskeletal system. The economic and human costs of MSDs are unnecessary and are preventable. You can use this information to help you understand MSDs and how to eliminate or prevent them in your workplace.

Moving and handling people in the healthcare industry

A VicSafe handbook for workplaces that handle patients, residents and clients in health, aged care, rehabilitation and disability services.

Slips trips and falls

Slips, trips and falls (STF) are one of the most common cause of serious injuries at work in NSW.

Violence

Violence is a threat of harm that covers a broad range of behaviours that can create a risk to the health and safety of workers.

Workplace-stress tips

The stress tip sheets provide information on managing the organisational risk factors known to contribute to the risk of psychological injury.

Research

Musculoskeletal disorders in aged care workers (patient handling)

A research report from the NSW Centre for Work Health and Safety on the contributing factors and interventions to musculoskeletal disorders in aged care.

Work-place violence in hospital settings in NSW

An exploratory research project applying systems thinking to the issue of work-related violence in hospital settings in New South Wales (NSW). Understanding and preventing work-relate violence in hospital setting: a systems thinking approach: final report has been compiled by the University of the Sunshine Coast with funding from SafeWork NSW.

Symposium presentations

In 2018, SafeWork NSW hosted a symposium on Musculoskeletal Disease. A number of symposium presentations are available.

Sector plans

Read about what we're doing to prevent injury and improve health outcomes:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance Sector Plan (PDF 2.5MB)
  • Health Care and Social Assistance Sector Action Plan (PDF 544kb)
  • Project Report September 2020 (PDF 104kb)

Our translated resources hub has print, web and multimedia resources.

General WHS resources

Consultation @ Work

Consultation @ Work - Arabic

Are you confused about your obligations when it comes to workplace consultation? Watch this short video to learn about the basics. (Arabic)

Consultation @ Work - Cantonese

Are you confused about your obligations when it comes to workplace consultation? Watch this short video to learn about the basics. (Vietnamese)

  • Consultation @ Work - English (YouTube)
  • Consultation @ Work - Mandarin (YouTube)
  • Consultation @ Work - Vietnamese  (YouTube)

Getting support at work (Health) (pocket guide)

There’s a range of support and information available to you if you’re faced with a difficult situation at work. This guide is your starting point to getting the support you need.

  • (Arabic) The Getting support at Work pocket guide for the health sector (PDF 412kb)
  • (Simplified Chinese) The Getting support at Work pocket guide for the health sector (PDF 412kb)
  • (English) The Getting support at Work pocket guide for the health sector (PDF 412kb)
  • (Filipino) The Getting support at Work pocket guide for the health sector in  (PDF 412kb)
  • (Hindi) The Getting support at Work pocket guide for the health sector (PDF 412kb)

The basics: Your rights at work

If you are a temporary working visa holder, a permanent resident, or an Australian citizen, you are covered by work health and safety laws that apply to everyone in Australia.

  • Your rights at work (Arabic) (PDF 604kb)
  • Your rights at work (Chinese) (PDF 604kb)
  • Your rights at work (English) (PDF 604kb)
  • Your rights at work (Filipino) PDF 604kb)
  • Your rights at work (Hindi) (PDF 604kb)
  • Your rights at work (Korean) (PDF 604kb)
  • Your rights at work (Malay) (PDF 604kb)

Talk to your workers about safety (webinar)

Listen to this webinar to gain a general understanding and overview of consultation requirements. This webinar will explain why, where and how to consult with workers and provides practical examples of consultative arrangements.

  • Arabic (YouTube)
  • Cantonese (YouTube)
  • English (YouTube)
  • Mandarin (YouTube)
  • Vietnamese (YouTube)

When to notify SafeWork NSW

If there is a serious injury or illness, a death or a dangerous incident, to staff, customers or visitors to your worksite or your place of employment (even if it's off-site), you must report it to us immediately. Incidents can be notified 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 13 10 50. If you're unsure of whether to notify, use this Incident notification fact sheet to help you decide.

An exposure incident involving contact with blood or body substances must be notified to SafeWork.

Health care and social assistance organisations

For health care and community workers, these organisations may be useful:

  • Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA)
  • Australian Medical Association NSW (AMA)
  • Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation (ASMOF)
  • Australian Services Union (ASU) for social and community workers
  • Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU)
  • Health Services Union (HSU)
  • NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA)
  • NSW Rural Doctors Network (RDN)
  • Rural Doctors Association (NSW)

For health care managers and service owners or directors, the following organisations will provide information and assistance:

  • Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA)
  • Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA)
  • Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA)
  • Health Services Association of NSW (HSA NSW)
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