Duties of Workers and Employees
In the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2011, Section 28 outlines the specific duties of workers. It is designed to ensure that while an employer (PCBU) has the primary duty of care, individuals also carry responsibility for safety in the workplace. WHS Act (NSW) Section 28: Duties of Workers While at work, a worker must: Take reasonable care for his or her own health and safety; and Take reasonable care that his or her acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and
WHS Case Study – Hot Coolant, Cold Reality: When Inexperience Meets Risk
A recent incident highlights the critical importance of effective supervision, risk assessment, and control measures when engaging young or inexperienced workers in higher-risk environments. At a mechanical workshop, a 15-year-old work experience student was assigned a task involving the draining of a vehicle radiator. Prior to this, the vehicle had been running to assess overheating. The student was instructed to loosen a hose clamp to release pressure from the cooling sys
HSRs and Risk Management
Work health and safety (WHS) is most effective when it is built on shared understanding, clear roles, and genuine collaboration. One of the key strengths of the WHS framework in Australia is the way it brings together the business, management, workers, and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) to manage risks collectively. Understanding the role of HSRs in risk management is essential, not just for compliance, but for creating workplaces where safety systems actually wor
Workplace fatality sees directors personally charged for breaches of duty under WHS Law
In many small businesses, directors are not only decision-makers but are also directly involved in day-to-day activities. This hands-on involvement brings unique advantages, but it also increases accountability under Work Health and Safety (WHS) law. Directors are recognised as “officers” of a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) and, as such, carry significant legal obligations. Their foremost responsibility is to ensure the business maintains an effective WHS
What is the “Adequate Number of Trained First Aiders”?
The WHS Regulation 2017 (42) requires every organisation (PCBU) to provide workers with access to an “adequate number of trained first...
Ladder Safety at Work and at Home
Ladders are often used at work and at home to get access to higher or lower levels in order to carry out light tasks. But every year many...