Your Work Health and Safety Responsibilities

Workskil Australia is here to help support the employment journey to ensure that both you and your employer enjoy a safe and successful employment relationship. As a worker, you have a legal responsibility to maintain your own health and safety and to not place others at risk.

How can I protect my health and safety?

To minimise the risks to your health and safety:

• Keep your work area free of hazards
• Make sure your employer has provided you with an induction, training and instructions, so you feel safe doing the work being asked of you
• Follow all reasonable (safe) directions by your supervisor
• Do not undertake a task if you are not confident that you can do it safely —ask your supervisor for guidance and training
• Stop work if you become aware of an unsafe situation and report it immediately to your supervisor
• Read and comply with all health and safety policies and procedures
• Use all provided safety tools/equipment and wear required personal protection equipment (PPE)
• Operate plant and machinery in line with correct policies, procedures, training and in the manner it is designed to be used
• Do not take drugs or consume alcohol before or at work
• Actively support work health and safety (WHS) consultation processes
• Assist incident investigators or workplace inspectors

How do I not put others at risk?

• Take reasonable care that your actions or inaction does not adversely affect others
• Do not interfere with, change or remove any safeguard, safety device or PPE - except when part of an approved maintenance, repair or emergency procedure
• Report all hazards or incidents to your supervisor as soon as possible

Your Employer’s Responsibilities

Your employer has responsibilities and duties in relation to health and safety. They are to ensure:

• You are provided with a safe work environment, including safe plant and structures, and a work culture free from discrimination, harassment and bullying
• Policies and procedures, and safe work practices are in place
• Adequate facilities and training to support the safety and welfare of workers
• Workers are:
  • provided an induction into the business and sufficient information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure that they are competent to work safely
  • not given tasks unless they have the necessary skills
  • provided with any necessary personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • provided with, trained in and be aware of current health and safety policies and procedures

If you are concerned or need to talk to someone, resources are available at Safe Work Australia.