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• Published in: The A to Z of Arts Management Vol. 1; pp. 297 - 319
• Main Author: Tonks, Ann
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 2020
• Edition: 2
• Subjects: Personal Illness; UK Workplace; Melbourne Theatre Company; Workplace Social Networks; ABC Radio National; Oh Issue; Performing Arts Companies; Unhealthy Work Environment; Oh Culture; Vice Versa; Arts Board Members; Intense Competitive Pressures; Oh Policy; MBA Study; Deregulated Labour Markets; Oh Committee; Small Arts Organisation; Arts Administration Educators; West Yorkshire Playhouse; Nelson Mandela; Young Men; Oh Strategy; MTC
• ISBN: 9780367351359; 9780367351397; 0367351390; 0367351358
• DOI: 10.4324/9780429330001-16

In Australia, occupational health and safety (OHS) is a serious business with an array of legislation and punishments. The legislative starting point is worker participation and consultation through health and safety committees. Each part of the arts and cultural industry will have its own health and safety challenges. Such committees are useful forums for unpacking not just OHS issues but the structural and communication issues of the company as well. E. Underhill argues that in the general workplace, with the push towards labour flexibility, deregulated labour markets and intense competitive pressures, there are increased OHS risks and the capacity of workers to respond to such risks has eroded. A pilot study by Victoria University concluded that Australia's entertainment industry workers are more likely to have mental health issues and higher rates of suicide than the general population.