Brochure Division of Workplace Health & Safety bro006v5 A Quick start to the Workplace Health & Safety Act 1995 January 2001 A quick start to the workplace health & safety act 1995 How do you meet your obligations? You must meet your obligations under the This can be done in different ways,but you are obliged to take action tomanage exposure to risk.Workplace health and safety standardsRegulations – some regulations areworkplace health and safety standardsthat either prohibit exposure to a risk orprescribe ways to prevent or minimiseexposure to a risk.To meet your obligations under the Actyou must comply with these types ofregulations.Advisory Standards - state ways tomanage exposure to risks common toindustry. To meet your obligation underthe Act, you should follow advisorystandards, although you may adoptanother way if you think it is more suitedto your business or work activity. Thisflexibility is designed to allow you tochoose the most appropriate way tomanage exposure to risks at yourworkplace.Industry Codes of Practice – state waysto manage exposure to risks typical in apart of industry. To meet your obligationunder the Act, you should follow anindustry code, although you may adoptanother way if you think it is more suitedto your business or work activity. Thisflexibility is designed to allow you tochoose the most appropriate way tomanage exposure to risks at yourworkplace.Where there is no regulation, advisorystandard or industry code of practiceabout exposure to a risk, you can meetyour obligation by choosing anyappropriate way to minimise exposure to arisk. However, you must take reasonableprecautions and exercise proper diligencein making sure the risk is managed.What are the penalties for a breach ofan obligation?If you breach an obligation under the Actyou can be prosecuted.Penalties are substantial: the maximumpenalty for a breach causing death orgrievous bodily harm is $60,000 or 2 yearsimprisonment for an in...
