LEGISLATIVE COMPLIANCE
What is Legislative Compliance?
Workplace Health and Safety (WHS), involves the assessment and mitigation of risks that may impact the health, safety or welfare of those in your workplace. This may include the health and safety of your customers, employees, visitors, contractors. As a business owner there are legal requirements that you must comply with to ensure your workplace meets Legislative WHS obligations in today's workplace with the following benefits:
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Creating a safe work environment is a legal requirement and critical to the long term success of your business.
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It can help you retain staff
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Maximise employee productivity
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Minimise injury in the workplace
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Reduce the costs of injury and workers’ compensation
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Ensure you meet your legislative and legal obligations and employee responsibilities
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As a business owner you have legal responsibilities to implement health and safety practices in your workplace as soon as you start your business. You need to ensure that your business doesn't create health and safety problems for your employees, contractors, volunteers, visitors, customers or the public.
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Knowing and understanding WHS laws and how they apply to business will help you avoid unnecessary costs and damage to your business caused by workplace injury and illness.
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Under Australian WHS/OH&S legislation businesses are legally obliged to:
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provide safe work premises
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assess risks and implement appropriate measures for controlling them
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ensure safe use and handling of goods and substances
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provide and maintain safe machinery and materials
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assess workplace layout and provide safe systems of work
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provide a suitable working environment and facilities
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Though it may cost to implement safe practices and install safety equipment, the effect of not taking action can be severe and costly. Complying with WHS requirements can prevent you from being prosecuted and fined, and help you to retain skilled staff.
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Your legal obligations may vary according to circumstances and industry. You may wish to seek independent legal advice on what is applicable to your situation