Understanding Safety Laws & Regulations
We all have a duty of care to ensure we understand the law and how to keep a safe workplace. The following describes laws and regulations that govern some of the duties Australian businesses need to adhere to.
Work Health and Safety Acts
The Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act serves as the foundational legal framework designed to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of all workplace participants. These Acts delineate the responsibilities of various professionals including architects, designers, builders, building managers, installers, and maintenance workers.
Most states, except Victoria and Western Australia, adhere to the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act. Victoria operates under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act 2004, while Western Australia follows the Work Health and Safety Act 2020. While the OHS and WHS Acts are largely aligned, the WHS Act includes additional clarifications in certain areas.
Our products comply with the detailed WHS Act to provide extensive protection across Australia.
Work Health and Safety Regulations
The Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations specify methods to prevent, minimise, or eliminate workplace hazards and risks.
Any Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must comply with these Regulations. In the absence of industry-specific Regulations, PCBUs must adopt suitable risk management practices to the extent reasonably practicable.
Codes of Practice
Codes of practice offer practical guidance on fulfilling the requirements set out in the Acts and Regulations. Compliance with an approved code of practice is crucial for meeting the health and safety obligations under the WHS Act and Regulations. These codes address specific issues and do not encompass all possible workplace risks. Employers are required to assess all potential risks, regardless of whether specific regulations or codes of practice exist.
Codes of Practice cover areas such as:
Australian Standards
Australian Standards provide guidelines to ensure the safety, performance, and reliability of various goods, services, and systems. While adherence to these standards is not universally mandated by law, compliance with certain standards is required under WHS laws. Non-compliance can lead to legal breaches and potential prosecution. Courts may also consider adherence to standards in legal proceedings, even if not legally obligatory.
Key standards for height safety and working at heights include:
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Contact us to find out more on how you can ensure your height safety compliance