What do employers need to do under work health and safety laws?

Employers must:

1. do all they reasonably can to protect your health and safety – both physical and mental
2. provide a safe and supportive environment
3. find and remove hazards at your workplace – if the hazard cannot be removed, they must do all they reasonably can to make sure nobody is hurt or gets sick
4. provide you with training, information and instruction and make sure you understand the job you will do and how to do the job safely
5. provide you with appropriate equipment or clothing you need to work safely before you start work
6. talk to you about work health and safety. They must answer your questions and listen to your views
7. show you how to report an injury or illness at work

How can workers keep themselves and others safe?

You must also look after your own health and safety at work, and not put other people at risk. You can do this by:

• going to work health and safety training on paid work time and following the training you were given to do your job
• asking questions if you do not understand the training or how to do the job safely
• following reasonable instructions from your employer about how and when to do tasks at work, and how to safely use equipment and tools, and
• telling your employer about hazards you see at work.