Complying with Federal and State workplace health, safety and welfare requirements is one of the most serious obligations of owning a business.

Every employee has the right to a healthy and safe working environment that ensures they lead a socially and economically productive life.

Occupational health and safety (OH&S) refers to the legislation, policies, procedures and activities that aim to protect every workplace and the welfare of everyone in the workplace.

Employers have a duty of care to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work for all employees, employers, students, contractors as well as visitors to the workplace. There is a wide variety of workplaces and the risks attached to them are just as diverse.

Employers are legally bound to:

• assess and manage all risks at each workplace
• maintain a safe workplace
• hold current workers compensation insurance cover  
• notify work-related incidents 
• manage an injury at work
• assist an injured worker return to work safely.

Workcover publishes a safety checklist to help small business identify the safety risks in the workplace and suggest how to make the workplace safer.

Employers are responsible for compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001, the Workers Compensation Act 1987 and the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998.

For more information on NSW workplace safety contact the WorkCover Assistance Service on 13 10 50 or visit the WorkCover website.

Seek legal advice if your business has particular questions on the application of the law.