Enterprise agreements may include WHS provisions, particularly in high-risk industries. Enterprise agreements must meet the National Employment Standards and employees covered by them must meet the 'Better Off Overall Test'. Employers may also use enterprise agreements to educate the workforce in WHS matters. 

Examples of some WHS matters negotiated in workplace agreements include: 

 

Alcohol and drugs 

An agreement in the mineral refining industry provides that an employee who is unfit to work will be stood down with pay until fit to resume work. If the employee doesn't agree as to his or her ability to work safely, the union delegate will be informed and disciplinary procedures commenced. 

A textile industry agreement incorporates a drug and alcohol policy stating that employees shall be instantly dismissed for possession of illegal drugs or open bottles of alcohol. Employees taking prescription drugs that cause drowsiness must notify their supervisor. 

An agreement in the construction trade services industry provides for random drug and alcohol screening. Probationary employees are tested within their probationary period. Employees testing positive are referred to an employee assistance program, with those who continue to test positive subject to discipline or termination. 

 

Benchmarking 

An agreement in the contract packaging industry provides benchmarks and targets for lost-time injuries and 'absenteeism' – days lost due to sick leave, injury, and other leave as a ratio of the number of working days in a given period. 

The agreement commits the parties to form safety improvement groups to assess work methods and modify them where necessary to meet predetermined targets. 

 

Blood lead levels 

An agreement in the alloy refining industry commits the company to reduce employees’ blood lead levels, with blood tests at monthly intervals and financial incentives for employees with blood lead below specified levels. 

 

Clean air 

An agreement in the timber industry establishes a sub-committee of the health and safety committee to oversee procedures for the improvement of air quality, with dust, noise, pollutants, and spray painting as priorities. 

 

Driver training 

A transport industry agreement provides annual medical examinations for drivers, annual driver training, and dangerous goods training as directed by the company. 

 

Eyesight and hearing tests 

A film and television industry agreement makes free eyesight testing available every two years or on request for staff using screen-based equipment. If corrective eyewear is required, costs are reimbursed. 

The company provides free hearing testing to staff in nominated work areas. 

 

First aid 

A 'first aid allowance' and clarification of a first aid officer’s duties are common in industrial instrument

An agreement in the airport services industry provides that employees possessing a first-aid certificate are paid a first aid allowance.  

 

Health benefits and insurance 

A mining industry agreement requires the company to help meet certain medical and hospital costs above a basic sum incurred by the employee, their spouse, or dependent children. The fund is non-contributory and open to all employees joining the company.  

A textile industry agreement provides for a $300 subsidy for employees who contribute to an approved hospital benefits fund. It also provides that the company pays for flu vaccinations and 50% of the costs of tetanus/hepatitis vaccinations.  

 

Hygiene

An agreement in the pastry cook industry provides a detailed appendix on personal hygiene.  
 

 

Immunisation 

An agreement in the contract plumbing industry includes an immunisation program for employees expected to come in contact with live sewage or other infection risks.   

 

Medical examinations 

A construction contracting agreement requires prospective employees to undertake a medical examination before commencing employment. 

 

Multiple issue approach 

An agreement in the coal mining industry addresses WHS issues including job redesign, safety training, injury management/rehabilitation, drugs, alcohol, and financial incentives for improved safety outcomes. 

 

Night safety 

A retail industry agreement states the company will provide employees with safe escorts to their cars after work at night, and safe transport home when employees work past their normal ceasing time, or after 9pm. 

 

Safety data sheets 

Agreements in the construction and related industries commit employers to ensure that relevant safety data sheets are available for employees to inspect before handling certain materials or products. 

 

Protective clothing 

A printing agreement details requirements for the issue of personal protective equipment. 

 

Rest breaks 

A retail food industry agreement provides that an employee who works over five hours on any day shall be allowed a meal break and a 10 minute paid rest break. 

 

Smoking 

A retail industry agreement prohibits employees from smoking in public while wearing the company uniform and from leaving the store on paid breaks to smoke. 

 

Temperature 

An agreement in the labour hire industry provides employees with a 20-minute break every two hours when working in temperatures over 46⁰C. 

A building materials industry agreement allows for a change in working hours when temperatures are expected to exceed 35⁰C. For days forecast to exceed 40⁰C, consideration is given to finding a more suitable working environment during the hottest part of the day. 

An aluminium smelting industry agreement provides for extra rest breaks when temperatures are between 35⁰C and 38⁰C, and standby on full pay if the temperature is 38⁰C or above. 

An agreement in the cold storage industry prescribes medical examinations for people working in temperatures below -18⁰C. Employees may refuse to work in temperatures below -26⁰C. 

 

Vaccination 

A printing industry agreement requires the company to pay for employees’ flu vaccinations. 

 

WHS responsibilities 

An agreement in the glass industry sets out the responsibilities of management, supervisors, and all other employees, including health and safety rules.