In the world of ever changing business can and cannot it is necessary to be aware of you liabilities and obligations under the Workplace Health and Safety Act.

Each state is different and therefore it is usually a wise business decision to ask for professional advice on just what you are required to do or have in place in your business.

For example, every business in Queensland that has 30 or more employees employed (including casuals, and other sites under the same business name) is required by law to have an accredited Workplace Health and Safety Officer on their premises.

Even if you have only a couple of employees or you are a sole trader you are still required to have the necessary paper trail to narrow the risk to your business in the event of an incident occurring. Statistics show that businesses DO NOT budget in their financial planning for the cost of litigation or risk.

As a business manager and owner you are responsible to operating a safe work place and one that is compliant to the relevant legislations. This can also be to the extent of criminal convictions for serious bodily injury or fatality.

How many times do you read in the newspaper or see on the evening news that something has happened and the comment is usually “we never thought that it would happen in this area, or this place”.

So the key to this is to make sure that if something does happen your risk is minimised by the procedures and programmes or plans that you have in your work place.

If you need help with this or do not know where to start please let me know via the comments section, or just give me a call.(This call could be the one that saves your business.)

Lynn Cook.
Accredited Workplace Health and Safety Officer.
Managing Director of http://www.personalisedbusiness.com.au
Ph: 07 3410 8482