Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 - SECT 4

The principles of health and safety protection

4. The principles of health and safety protection



(1) The importance of health and safety requires that employees, other persons
at work and members of the public be given the highest level of protection
against risks to their health and safety that is reasonably practicable in the
circumstances.

(2) Persons who control or manage matters that give rise or may give rise to
risks to health or safety are responsible for eliminating or reducing those
risks so far as is reasonably practicable.



(3) Employers and self-employed persons should be proactive, and take all
reasonably practicable measures, to ensure health and safety at workplaces and
in the conduct of undertakings.

(4) Employers and employees should exchange information and ideas about risks
to health and safety and measures that can be taken to eliminate or reduce
those risks.

(5) Employees are entitled, and should be encouraged, to be represented in
relation to health and safety issues.