WHS Act and Unsafe Work Environment for Employers/ees

Question 1

WHS Act (2020)

Answer 1

aims to protect the health, safety and welfare of workers.
sets out the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees

Question 2

employers

Answer 2

• It is generally understood that employers need to provide a safe and healthy work environment as well as specific obligations which include
  ○ Provide a workplace safe from hazards
  ○ Provide any training or information to employees so they can perform work safely
  ○ Consult and cooperate with health and safety representative
  ○ Provide employees with appropriate PPE and safety equipment
  ○ Ensure the use of handling, processing, storage, transportation and disposal of substances in the workplace is carried out to ensure that employees are not exposed to hazards
  Immediately notify WorkSafe is something has gone wrong (death, injury)

Question 3

employees

Answer 3

• An employee has their own rights and responsibilities, like
  ○ Take reasonable responsibility for their own safety
  ○ Avoid aversely affecting the safety and health of others
  ○ The ability to have elections to select safety and health representative at workplace
  ○ Comply with workplace safety procedures
  ○ Cooperate with employers to ensure workplace health and safety
  ○ The capacity to establish a safety and health committee at the workplace
  ○ Report hazards or injuries to employers
  ○ Ability to refuse to undertake work if there are reasonable grounds to believe that work could cause them or other people injury or harm to health
  ○ Receive adequate information, instruction and training and supervision so as to be able to work safely
  ○ Use PPE provided as demonstrated
  Consultation about safety and health at the work place

Question 4

social consequences of an unsafe work environment for an employer

Answer 4

○ Workplace morale may become low as workplace is perceived as unsafe
Workplace may suffer reputational damage as It did not provide a safe workplace for its workers

Question 5

social consequences of an unsafe work environment for an employee

Answer 5

○ Injury may result in an inability to participate in social activities
○ Family and friends may need to care for injured employee
○ Feelings of being unsafe at work
○ Psychological impact and trauma may be associated with an injury
Fear of losing employment because of injury

Question 6

economic consequences of an unsafe work environment for an employer

Answer 6

○ Fines and possible imprisonment if employer found in breach of WHS act
○ Workforce with low morale may impact profits
○ insurance costs for workers compensation may increase
Negative publicity, loss of reputation, fewer customers, reduced of profits

Question 7

economic consequences of an unsafe work environment for an employee

Answer 7

○ Loss of income and needing welfare
○ Being depended on workers compensation payments
○ Severe injury may mean an employee can no longer work
Future employment may be limited due to injury