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Work Health and Safety Legislation: Duties and Obligations
Both workers and employees should be determined to fulfil their duties and obligations regarding their own safety, and the wellbeing of others. Breaches of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011 or the Electrical Safety Act 2002 can cost enormous amounts of money, and even result in imprisonment.
Anything placing a person at risk of injury, sickness, or death is a breach of WHS laws, as well as not taking steps to avoid such risks, or other failures to comply with regulations.
The highest penalties for failing to comply with a duty comprise up to $3 million dollar fine if a corporation, up to 5 years in prison for an individual, and up to $600,000 for an officer or someone conducting a business. These penalties are the harshest, generally resulting from reckless conduct resulting in serious injury or death, but others are by no means light.
It’s the duty of every employer and employee to look out not only for themselves, but for anyone who might suffer as a result of their actions or inaction. Make sure you keep up to date with the penalties, duties, and obligations governing health and safety in the workplace.
More information is available via the following link:
https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/laws-and-compliance/compliance-and-enforcement/penalities
Breaches of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011 or the Electrical Safety Act 2002 can cost enormous amounts of money, and even result in imprisonment.
