Understanding your work health and safety responsibilities

Summary

This presentation outlines the Work Health and Safety (WHS) duties for all parties in the workplace, including employers (PCBUs), workers, and others. It covers the responsibilities of PCBUs to ensure the health and safety of workers, visitors, and others by identifying hazards, managing risks, and implementing safe systems of work. The script emphasizes the importance of ongoing consultation, cooperation, and regular review of health and safety systems. It encourages worker participation and highlights the benefits of a safe and healthy workplace for everyone involved.

Takeaways

• 😀 Everyone has duties under work health and safety laws, including employers, workers, and others.
• 😀 Employers are now referred to as 'person conducting a business or undertaking' (PCBU) under work health and safety laws.
• 😀 PCBUs can include retail businesses, manufacturers, sole traders, contractors, and not-for-profit organizations.
• 😀 As a PCBU, you must ensure the health and safety of workers, visitors, customers, and volunteers by implementing safe work systems.
• 😀 Identifying hazards and managing work health and safety risks is essential for PCBUs to maintain a safe workplace.
• 😀 A hazard is anything that could cause harm, while risk refers to the likelihood and consequences of the hazard affecting anyone.
• 😀 Risk management should be ongoing, with continuous monitoring for hazards and appropriate actions taken to minimize risks.
• 😀 If there is more than one PCBU, they must collaborate to manage workplace risks and consult on health and safety matters.
• 😀 Regular consultation and cooperation among managers, supervisors, workers, and contractors are necessary for effective risk management.
• 😀 PCBUs must consult with workers directly affected by health and safety issues, as their input helps reduce workplace injuries and illnesses.
• 😀 Work health and safety consultation arrangements should be tailored to suit the business size, work arrangements, and worker needs.
• 😀 A safe and healthy workplace benefits everyone and helps to reduce work-related injuries and diseases.

Q & A

What are the main duties of employers under work health and safety laws?

Employers, now referred to as a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU), must ensure the health and safety of workers, visitors, customers, and volunteers by providing safe work systems, adequate facilities, and effective health monitoring systems.

What is the role of a PCBU in identifying and managing workplace risks?

A PCBU is responsible for identifying hazards and managing work health and safety risks in the workplace. This involves recognizing potential hazards and taking action to minimize the risks they pose.

What is the difference between a hazard and a risk in the context of workplace health and safety?

A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm, while a risk is the likelihood and consequence of that hazard affecting a person or the workplace.

How should risk management be approached in the workplace?

Risk management should be an ongoing process, where everyone at the workplace continually monitors for hazards and takes appropriate action to minimize the risks to health and safety.

What should PCBUs do when there is more than one PCBU at a workplace?

When there is more than one PCBU, they must work together to ensure that workplace risks are managed. They should consult, cooperate, and coordinate to develop a safety management system to eliminate or minimize risks.

Who should be involved in discussions about workplace health and safety matters?

Managers, supervisors, workers, and contractors should all be involved in discussions about workplace activities, hazard identification, and risk management to ensure a collaborative approach to safety.

How often should work health and safety management systems be reviewed?

Work health and safety management systems should be regularly reviewed to ensure they remain effective in addressing hazards and risks in the workplace.

What is the significance of consulting with workers on health and safety matters?

Consulting with workers is crucial because their input and participation improve decision-making on health and safety matters, helping to reduce work-related injuries and diseases.

What factors should be considered when setting up consultation arrangements in the workplace?

Factors to consider include the size of the business, the way work is arranged, and the preferences of the workers. It's important to choose communication methods that suit the workplace and its needs.

How can work health and safety issues be addressed in a workplace?

Work health and safety issues can be addressed through regular communication channels or through one-off meetings if needed, ensuring that workers have the opportunity to provide feedback and raise concerns.