National Safe Work Month 2022

Creating a safe and healthy workplace

Employers and workers need to be aware of their responsibilities and entitlements during COVID-19; both have duties under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) to ensure a safe working environment.

Broadly, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), who is usually the employer has duties to:

• Provide and maintain a work environment that is without risk to health and safety
• Provide adequate and accessible facilities for the welfare of workers to carry out their work
• Monitor the health of workers and the conditions of the workplace to prevent illness or injury.

Workers’ duties under the WHS Act include:

• Taking reasonable care for their own health and safety
• Taking reasonable care their acts or omissions don’t adversely affect the health and safety of others
• Complying as far as they are reasonably able with the employer’s reasonable instruction.

Find out more about the roles and responsibilities of employers and workers.

Fostering mentally healthy workplaces

Mental health is a level of wellbeing where people can cope with ordinary work and life pressures.

We have guidance, resources and tools for workers and workplaces to help foster a mentally healthy workplace,

In the workplace we know that good work is good for our mental health and wellbeing. A healthy and safe workplace provides structure and purpose, a sense of identity, and opportunities to develop skills and increased feelings of self-worth.

Workplace mental health statistics

• 1 in 5 Australian workers have a mental health condition
• Poor mental health costs Australian businesses $11 billion per year
• Every $1 invested in a mentally healthy workplace has a Return on Investment of $2.30.

Find out more about mental health statistics and your mental health responsibilities at work.

Everyone has a responsibility in the workplace to:

• Reasonably comply with health and safety instructions
• Take reasonable care of their own mental health
• Take reasonable care that their actions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other people.

Managing WHS risks and preventing harm

Employees and other workers play an important role in helping keep the workplace safe and setting work health and safety (WHS) standards. Practical strategies such as effective communication and consultation can foster a strong health and safety culture, while minimising injury and illness in the workplace.

In addition, a WHS management system is required for any workplace in Australia under the WHS Act.

• Work Health and Safety Management Plan (PDF, 508.6 KB) can be used to form the basis, or inform, your work health and safety management system.
• Writing a Health and Safety Policy – guidelines to writing a work health and safety policy, prepared by Health and Safety Executive UK though laws mentioned do not relate to Australia.

We also have the Office Safety tool to help you identify health and safety risks in your work or home office. There’s also some useful information on managing risks in the workplace to support  your commitment to workplace safety.

Safe, healthy and productive work for all

There are some key principles to help guide employers and managers in creating safe, healthy and productive work.

Intervene early and know the warning signs

• Providing early support to injured or ill employees to enable their recovery and return to work is critical.
• The earlier you notice an employee is experiencing potential signs of ill health or injury, the sooner you can intervene and take steps to help them.
• The longer someone is off work, the less likely they are to return to work (PDF, 591.2 KB).

Consider good work design when you plan

• One of the best ways to prevent and control workplace injuries is to adopt good work design principles and minimise hazards early in the idea planning phases.

Support a workplace health and safety management system

• We know that creating the right work environment and managing potential sources of harm, such as high work demands, low levels of control and poor support, can benefit everyone at work.
• A workplace health and safety management system can minimise the risk of injury and illness from workplace operations. It is one of the most effective ways to make sure health and safety is embedded across your organisation and is a part of everything you do.