Follow workplace procedures on health, safety and security

Duty of Care

Each Australian State has Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Acts, which give details of specific responsibilities of both employers and employees to provide and maintain a working environment that is safe, and without risk to health.

A breach of this duty of care can lead to prosecution of the employer, individual managers and supervisors or employees. 

In broad terms the Duty of Care for the employer is, to ensure that employees are safe from injury and risks to their health while at work.

Employers are required to:

  • provide and maintain safe plant (equipment) and systems of work.

  • arrange safe systems of work in connection with plant and substances

  • provide a safe work environment

  • provide adequate welfare facilities

  • provide information on hazards

  • provide instruction and training

  • supervise employees to enable them to work safely

Employees also have a duty to:

  • Take reasonable care of his or her own health and safety, and for the health and safety of anyone else who may be affected by his or her acts or omissions at the work place.

  • Cooperate with his or her employer, with respect to any action taken by the employer to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. 

  • Not to willfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse safety equipment that is provided. 

  • Not to willfully put at risk the health and safety of others. This includes fellow employees, customers or members of the public.