Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Fundamentals is a comprehensive introduction to the principles, practices, and responsibilities required to create and maintain a safe and healthy workplace. The training helps employees, supervisors, managers, and safety representatives understand workplace hazards, assess risks, implement appropriate controls, respond to incidents, and promote a strong safety culture.

The course focuses on preventing workplace injuries, illnesses, property damage, and unsafe conditions through practical hazard identification, risk management, safe work practices, emergency preparedness, and continuous improvement.

1. Introduction to Occupational Health & Safety

Participants are introduced to the fundamental concepts of workplace health and safety, including:

• The purpose and importance of occupational health and safety.
• Common causes of workplace injuries and occupational illnesses.
• Employer, supervisor, and employee safety responsibilities.
• The importance of proactive hazard prevention.
• Workplace safety culture and employee participation.
• The relationship between safety, productivity, and business continuity.

2. Workplace Hazard Identification

Participants learn how to identify hazards that may affect employees, visitors, contractors, equipment, and the surrounding environment.

Common workplace hazards include:

• Physical hazards.
• Chemical hazards.
• Biological hazards.
• Ergonomic hazards.
• Electrical hazards.
• Fire and explosion hazards.
• Mechanical and equipment hazards.
• Environmental hazards.
• Psychosocial and work-related stressors.
• Slips, trips, and falls.
• Workplace violence and other security-related hazards where applicable.

3. Risk Assessment and Risk Management

The course introduces systematic methods for assessing workplace risks. Participants learn how to:

• Identify hazards.
• Determine who may be exposed.
• Assess the likelihood and potential severity of harm.
• Prioritize risks.
• Select appropriate control measures.
• Implement controls.
• Monitor their effectiveness.
• Review assessments when workplace conditions change.

4. Hierarchy of Controls

Participants learn how to select controls based on their effectiveness, including:

1. Elimination — removing the hazard entirely.
2. Substitution — replacing a hazardous process, substance, or equipment with a safer alternative.
3. Engineering controls — physically separating people from hazards.
4. Administrative controls — using procedures, training, scheduling, signage, and other management measures.
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — providing appropriate protective equipment where hazards cannot otherwise be adequately controlled.

5. Personal Protective Equipment

The training covers the appropriate selection, use, inspection, storage, and maintenance of PPE, which may include:

• Safety helmets.
• Safety footwear.
• Protective gloves.
• Eye and face protection.
• Hearing protection.
• Respiratory protection.
• Protective clothing.
• Fall-protection equipment.
• High-visibility clothing.

Participants learn that PPE should complement, rather than replace, higher-level hazard controls where those controls are reasonably practicable.

6. Safe Work Practices

Participants are introduced to practical measures for reducing workplace risks, including:

• Following established safe-work procedures.
• Maintaining good housekeeping.
• Using tools and equipment correctly.
• Reporting unsafe conditions.
• Following warning signs and safety instructions.
• Maintaining clear access and emergency routes.
• Avoiding unauthorized work or unsafe shortcuts.
• Performing pre-use checks where required.

7. Manual Handling and Ergonomics

The course addresses common risks associated with lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, repetitive tasks, and workstation design.

Topics may include:

• Identifying manual-handling hazards.
• Safe lifting principles.
• Appropriate use of mechanical aids.
• Reducing unnecessary manual handling.
• Ergonomic workstation setup.
• Proper positioning and posture.
• Managing repetitive or prolonged tasks.
• Early reporting of work-related discomfort or injuries.

8. Electrical Safety

Participants learn basic electrical-safety principles, including:

• Recognizing electrical hazards.
• Identifying damaged cords, plugs, and equipment.
• Avoiding contact with exposed electrical components.
• Using electrical equipment appropriately.
• Keeping electrical systems away from unsuitable environments.
• Understanding the importance of isolation and authorized maintenance.
• Reporting electrical defects promptly.

Only appropriately qualified and authorized personnel should undertake electrical work requiring specialist competence.

9. Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness

OHS fundamentals also introduce emergency preparedness, including:

• Fire prevention.
• Fire alarms and emergency notification.
• Emergency evacuation.
• Emergency exits and assembly points.
• Basic awareness of fire-fighting equipment.
• Emergency communication.
• Incident reporting.
• Emergency response responsibilities.

10. Chemical and Hazardous Substance Safety

Participants learn the basic principles of safely managing hazardous substances, including:

• Identifying hazardous chemicals.
• Understanding labels and safety information.
• Safe storage and handling.
• Preventing exposure.
• Using appropriate PPE and controls.
• Responding to spills and accidental exposure.
• Maintaining appropriate documentation and procedures.

11. Machinery and Equipment Safety

The course introduces fundamental principles for working safely around machinery and equipment, including:

• Using equipment only as intended.
• Recognizing moving-part hazards.
• Guards and protective devices.
• Pre-use inspections.
• Safe operating procedures.
• Isolation and lockout procedures where applicable.
• Reporting defects.
• Preventing unauthorized operation.

12. Slips, Trips, Falls, and Work at Height

Participants learn how to prevent common fall-related incidents through:

• Good housekeeping.
• Clear walkways.
• Appropriate signage.
• Proper storage of materials.
• Safe use of ladders and access equipment.
• Appropriate fall-protection measures where required.
• Recognizing unsafe work-at-height conditions.

13. Occupational Health and Workplace Hygiene

The course addresses workplace conditions that can affect employee health, including:

• Workplace cleanliness.
• Hygiene practices.
• Exposure to hazardous substances.
• Noise.
• Dust and airborne contaminants.
• Ventilation.
• Temperature and environmental conditions.
• Biological hazards.
• Occupational exposure prevention.
• Health surveillance where required.

14. Incident, Accident, and Near-Miss Reporting

Effective reporting helps organizations identify hazards before they cause further harm. Participants learn how to:

• Report accidents and injuries promptly.
• Report near misses.
• Report unsafe conditions.
• Preserve relevant information after an incident.
• Participate appropriately in investigations.
• Understand corrective and preventive actions.
• Avoid concealing incidents or hazards.

15. Emergency Response

Participants are introduced to appropriate responses to workplace emergencies, including:

• Raising the alarm.
• Contacting emergency services.
• Evacuating safely.
• Providing assistance within their level of training.
• Following emergency procedures.
• Reporting hazards to responsible personnel.
• Supporting emergency response teams.

16. Safety Signs, Symbols, and Communication

Participants learn to recognize common safety communication methods, including:

• Warning signs.
• Prohibition signs.
• Mandatory-action signs.
• Emergency information signs.
• Fire-safety signs.
• Hazard labels.
• Workplace safety notices.
• Safety instructions and procedures.

17. Safety Responsibilities and Employee Participation

A successful OHS program requires participation throughout the organization. The course emphasizes:

• Individual responsibility for safe work.
• Supervisor responsibilities.
• Management commitment.
• Reporting and consultation.
• Safety meetings and toolbox talks.
• Following established procedures.
• Participating in training and drills.
• Supporting continuous safety improvement.

18. Safety Culture and Continuous Improvement

Participants learn how organizations can develop a positive safety culture by:

• Demonstrating management commitment.
• Encouraging hazard reporting.
• Learning from incidents and near misses.
• Communicating safety expectations.
• Providing appropriate resources and training.
• Monitoring safety performance.
• Reviewing and improving workplace controls.

Learning Outcomes

After completing Occupational Health & Safety Fundamentals training, participants should be able to:

• Explain fundamental occupational health and safety principles.
• Recognize common workplace hazards.
• Conduct or contribute to basic workplace risk assessments.
• Apply the hierarchy of controls.
• Select and use appropriate PPE.
• Follow safe work practices.
• Recognize common fire, electrical, chemical, ergonomic, and machinery hazards.
• Respond appropriately to workplace emergencies.
• Report accidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions.
• Understand basic workplace health and hygiene requirements.
• Contribute positively to the organization's safety culture.

Target Audience

This training is suitable for:

• Employees and new staff.
• Supervisors and team leaders.
• Managers.
• Health and safety representatives.
• Contractors and temporary workers.
• Workplace emergency-response personnel.
• Organizations introducing employees to OHS requirements.
• Anyone seeking foundational workplace health and safety knowledge.

Overall Objective

The overall objective of Occupational Health & Safety Fundamentals is to provide participants with a practical understanding of workplace hazards, risk assessment, hazard controls, emergency preparedness, safe work practices, and individual safety responsibilities, enabling them to contribute to a safer, healthier, and more responsible working environment.

Training content should be adapted to the organization's activities, workplace hazards, applicable legislation, and relevant occupational health and safety standards.