General duties

  • I would like to know about general duties that apply to all industries under the model WHS laws.

Everyone working in agriculture has WHS duties. 

Persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) must manage the health and safety risks at work. As a worker, you have a duty to take reasonable care of your safety and that of others in the workplace. 

As a PCBU, you must, so far as is reasonably practicable:  

  • ensure the health and safety of yourself, workers and others (including your family and visitors) at work 
  • consult with workers who carry out work for the business or undertaking and who are (or are likely to be) directly affected by a health and safety matter, and 
  • consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with all other duty holders.  

You must prepare and maintain an emergency plan for your workplace.

You must also ensure workers have access to first aid equipment and trained first aid officers whenever they are at work.

Workers are entitled to: 

  • cease unsafe work in certain circumstances 
  • have health and safety issues at the workplace resolved in accordance with an agreed issue resolution procedure
  • not be discriminated against for raising health and safety issues 
  • request the formation of a health and safety committee, and
  • elect a health and safety representative (HSR) if they wish to be represented by one. 

  • As many farms are also family homes, children, family and visitors can be exposed to many of the occupational risks and hazards associated with agricultural work. You owe WHS duties to these people as well as your workers.

For more information

  • Did you know

    The WHS regulator in your state or territory can provide practical advice, resources and tools to help you be safe when working in agriculture. They can also let you know which WHS laws apply to you.