Australia must avoid returning to a situation where a low-profile housekeeping approach to occupational health and safety was taken by industry and government. Australia now has occupational health legislation based on a common philosophy of self-regulation, with the clear establishment of employer, employee and supplier responsibility. An approach has been adopted where standards and a framework for handling occupational health and safety issues has been established nationally by a process involving State and Territory governments, the federal government, employers and unions. The move toward uniformity and rationalisation has been accelerated by the recent recession. As we emerge from this recession, we must preserve and increase the gains we have made as both attitudes and economic performance change.

First published in 1999, this second edition has been revised and updated, taking into account new information, research and policy debates. The amount of international information has been increased and a chapter on New Zealand has been added. Takes a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to managing occupational health and safety. Includes references, a bibliography and an index. Bohle is professor in the School of Industrial Relations and Organisational Behaviour and Quinlan is professor of industrial relations at the University of NSW. Both authors have published widely on occupational health and safety.

Brief accounts of main conference sessions held in September 1990.