Safety matters with Dr Paul

Responsibilities of Workers and Other People

The Queensland Work Health and Safety Act 2011 places a primary duty of care on a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of their workers and other people (section 19).

The Act also prescribes duties of workers (section 28) and other people (section 29) in the workplace for their health and safety and that of others.
A worker or any other person (e.g. visitors, clients, couriers, etc.) at the workplace must:

  • Take reasonable care for his or her own health and safety; and
  • Take reasonable care that his or her acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons; and
  • Comply, so far as the worker is reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction that is given by the PCBU to allow the person to comply with the Act

The worker must also:

  • Co-operate with any reasonable policy or procedure of the PCBU relating to health and safety at the workplace that has been notified to workers

Typically this would require workers to:

  • Report safety incidents and hazards
  • Not put themselves and others at risk
  • Comply with safe working procedures and instructions
  • Correctly use personal protective equipment
  • Not interfere or misuse plant and equipment provided for health and safety
  • Have hearing tests or other health monitoring arranged by the PCBU
  • Participate in consultation on health and safety matters that affect them
  • Participate in health and safety instruction and training

Workers and other people in the workplace may not be aware of their duties under the Act. The PCBU should ensure that the duties are included in induction material for workers and in information provided to visitors.

This article provides general information only and should not be a substitute for seeking professional advice regarding your specific situation.

Dr Paul will be contributing regular articles to assist and advise PCBUs and their workers on the management of health and safety.