noun

OHS

oh-aych-ESS

OHS (noun) means Occupational health and safety: the field concerned with keeping workers free from injury and illness at work, covering hazard assessment, safe systems of work, protective equipment and legal duties on employers. Example: “Every new starter has to sit through the OHS induction.”

noun

Occupational health and safety: the field concerned with keeping workers free from injury and illness at work, covering hazard assessment, safe systems of work, protective equipment and legal duties on employers.

"Every new starter has to sit through the OHS induction."

"The company was fined for repeated OHS breaches on site."

Occupational health service: the team or provider handling workplace health assessments, referrals and fitness-to-work advice.

"HR referred him to OHS after the second period of long-term sick leave."

How to Use OHS

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe rules and practices that keep people safe at work.

When to use it

Workplace and legal usage. Written in capitals; often expanded on first mention.

Memory tip

OSHA is the American regulator; OHS is the general field.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

WHS HSE OSHA

Common pairings

OHS policy OHS training OHS legislation OHS committee OHS breach

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Every new starter has to sit through the _____ induction.

Etymology

An initialism of occupational health and safety.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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occupational health and safety workplace health and safety WHS OH&S

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between OHS and WHS?

They cover the same ground. Australia largely replaced the term OHS with WHS (work health and safety) when harmonised legislation came in, because WHS extends duties beyond employees to contractors, volunteers and visitors. Elsewhere OHS, OH&S and HSE are all still in everyday use.

What does an OHS officer actually do?

They identify hazards, write and review risk assessments and safe work procedures, run training and inductions, investigate incidents, and make sure the workplace meets its legal obligations. In larger organisations they also report safety performance to management.