Legislation and Legal Issues

In recent times, the law has become more concerned with occupational health and safety. Prior to the industrial revolution, workers safety was considered a matter for the worker and the employer to negotiate. It was not until the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century that the law began to impose obligations on employers to ensure the safety of workers, or to ensure that they were compensated for any injury that they may have suffered in the workplace. All states and territories in Australia have enacted legislation regarding occupational health and safety. This legislation may be either 'general duties' legislation (setting out general obligations that must be met by all employers) or specific legislation dealing with particular risks or industries. Listed below are some examples of legislation that impact upon occupational health and safety.