Workplace safety is not just a legal requirement—it's a fundamental part of running a responsible and successful business in Australia. This is a key risk area for employers, particularly small-business owners, directors, HR managers, and safety officers. Complying with workplace safety obligations should be understood and embedded in the business as a priority to prevent accidents and avoid legal implications.
Roland Muller discusses the considerations, and challenges, for employers to stay compliant with workplace safety laws. He reveals tips from initial setup, audits to ongoing monitoring. Both businesses and employees have OHS responsibilities need to ensure there is a safe and compliant work environment.
Listen to Roland Muller talk about how employers can protect themselves and their employees.
Why Workplace Safety Compliance Matters
Complying with workplace safety regulations is vital for several reasons, including legal responsibility, reputation management, and, most importantly, the well-being of employees.
Non-compliance can lead to work-related accidents and potentially prosecution by regulatory authorities such as WorkSafe, SafeWork and others. Every year, fatalities and serious injuries occur in workplaces. The financial penalties are significant and potentially crippling, not to mention reputational damage and other outcomes.
Workplace safety legislation has been tightened with stricter personal liability for directors in cases of serious negligence with the hope of increasing compliance. Employers are now more accountable for fostering safety in their organisations than ever before.
Establishing Workplace Safety Standards
1. Understand Regulatory Requirements
Every business owner and safety officer should have a clear understanding of workplace health and safety laws relevant to their state or territory. For example, in Victoria, WorkSafe provides comprehensive guidelines, industry standards, and codes of practice applicable to a wide range of sectors.
Where to start:
- Visit the WorkSafe website or equivalent authority in your state or territory for industry-specific guidelines and rights and responsibilities.
- Familiarise yourself with safety laws specific to your industry, such as those for construction, hospitality, or healthcare.
- Engage qualified OHS advisors with industry-specific knowledge to help set up and maintain systems and processes. Have these reviewed regularly.
2. Conduct an Initial Safety Audit
Before setting up safety protocols, carry out an audit of your workplace to identify potential hazards. External safety consultants can assist. Conduct a thorough internal audit.
Points to assess:
- Are there physical hazards in the work environment (e.g., slippery floors, faulty equipment)?
- Do existing processes comply with occupational health and safety (OHS) standards?
- What are the risks specific to your industry?
Regular reviews and updating of systems are equally important to ensure continued compliance and to build a culture geared towards proactive workplace safety.
Building a Safety-Conscious Culture
3. Educate and Train Employees
Workplace safety isn't just the employer's responsibility—it requires active participation from all employees. Training programs help equip staff with the knowledge on safety and wellbeing, to identify and report hazards and work safely.
Steps to implement:
- Organise OHS training during onboarding.
- Conduct refresher courses or workshops tailored to your workplace risks periodically.
- Provide accessible resources, such as quick guides or posters that detail emergency procedures or remind staff of safe work practices.
- Consider appointing trained OHS officers as points of contact and encourage staff at all levels to raise OHS matters.
4. Make Safety Part of Performance Metrics
Encourage adherence to safety protocols by incorporating them into employee performance assessments. OHS shouldn't all be compliance based. Upholding OHS obligations also should not only be reactive or punitive in the event of non-compliance; consider rewarding individuals or teams who demonstrate a commitment to safety.
For example:
- Recognise staff members who report hazards promptly or suggest sensible improvements.
- Implement "safety champions" who lead by example in maintaining workplace safety.
Fostering a safety-first attitude pays long-term dividends by reducing accidents and ensuring your employees have a safe workplace.
Preparing for Potential Incidents
5. Proactive Incident Management Plans
Even with the best systems in place, accidents can happen. Having an incident management plan ready to implement can reduce the stress of navigating issues in the aftermath of an incident. Plans can help ensure nothing is missed, help to mitigate issues and may help to reduce any legal exposure.
Actionable steps:
- Develop an incident response plan that covers reporting, documentation, and corrective actions.
- Conduct emergency drills to prepare employees for unforeseen events like fire outbreaks or equipment failure.
- Keep first-aid kits accessible, and train relevant staff in administering first aid.
6. Document Everything
Documentation is crucial in protecting your organisation from liability should an accident occur. Ensure that all safety-related activities such as audits, training sessions, toolbox talks and incident reports are well-documented and securely archived.
Key records to maintain:
- Written workplace safety policies.
- Logs of training conducted for employees.
- Records of any incidents, injuries, safety inspections, and corrective actions taken.
- Records showing reviews of OHS policies and procedures, safety audits and advice/guidance received.
In keeping comprehensive records, it is important to remember that the focus must remain on all staff genuinely understanding and implementing safe work practices, with appropriate training and supervision provided.
Legal Considerations and Support
7. Consult Experienced WorkSafe Lawyers
Legal counsel plays a critical role in navigating complex workplace safety issues. If your organisation faces a WorkSafe prosecution or significant safety breaches, consulting the right OHS lawyers will make all the difference.
Lawyers can assist in a variety of ways and have a wide breadth of experience in handling investigations and understanding of how the law is applied. Proactively seeking legal advice before issues arise can also help avoid potential legal challenges down the line. Responding effectively to WorkSafe prosecutions and other regulatory action is complex and having experienced lawyers can be invaluable in resolving OHS matters.
8. Monitor Legislative Updates
Workplace safety laws are ever changing and carry significant penalties for instance, industrial manslaughter laws mean that directors or senior decision-makers can be held personally liable for safety failings of their companies and in some states are at risk of imprisonment if prosecuted for industrial manslaughter.
What you can do:
- Follow industry newsletters and regulatory updates from relevant regulators to monitor changes in OHS laws.
- Incorporate changes into your workplace safety policies quickly and effectively, making sure staff are aware of changed requirements and changed obligations.
Taking Action Today
Workplace safety is a shared responsibility that requires ongoing attention and commitment from everyone within an organisation. By fostering a proactive and positive safety at work culture and reputation, businesses can ensure they are doing all they can to have a safe and compliant workplace.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
