Under the model WHS laws, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must manage the risk of psychosocial hazards in the workplace.  

A set of guiding principles support the National Return to Work Strategy 2020-2030 and it strategic outcomes, and characterise a positive return to work outcome for workers.

This case study provides examples of Toowoomba Council’s practical approach to improving early intervention and return to work outcomes for its workers.

This case study provides examples of Williams Seafoods practical approach to improving early intervention and return to work outcomes for its workers.

This case study provides examples of Union Hydraulics practical approach to improving early intervention and return to work outcomes for its workers.

This case study provides examples of Pernod Ricard Winemakers practical approach to improving early intervention and return to work outcomes for its workers.

Cobalt (CAS 7440-48-4; Co) is a grey metal that exists in a number of oxidation states, including divalent (Co[II]) and trivalent (Co[III]) oxidation states.

Examples of work activities involving cobalt and its compounds that may require special attention include:

This Decision Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) is the result of Safe Work Australia’s review of the current toxicological information and overseas trends in the regulation of lead in the workplace.

Hazardous chemicals requiring health monitoring and examples of chemicals to consider for health monitoring.

The information in this guidance is taken from regulation 436 (asbestos) and Schedule 14 of the model WHS Regulations.

Silica is silicon dioxide, a naturally occurring and widely abundant mineral that forms the major component of most rocks and soils. Crystalline silica dust particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause illness and disease.

This guide helps doctors monitor the health of workers exposed to nickel.  

Nickel (CAS 7440-02-0) is a hard, silver-white metal that exists naturally in the earth’s crust. It’s in small amounts in food, water, air and soil. 

The main uses of nickel are: 

This guide helps doctors to monitor the health of workers exposed to organophosphate pesticides.  

Organophosphate (OPs) insecticides are widely used on a large variety of crops. Examples of work activities involving OPs include: 

Professor Parker discusses the principles of good work design, why they are important, and how we can use them to make workplaces safer and improve workers’ wellbeing.

This infographic shows how to apply the four-step risk management process to manage psychosocial hazards.

Use this fact sheet if your business makes or supplies alcohol-based hand sanitisers during the COVID-19 pandemic.   

This fact sheet provides information on preparing and maintaining general emergency plans

Workplace bullying remains a serious problem in many Australian workplaces, costing individuals and organisations in poor productivity, absenteeism and mental stress. 

This webinar explores work health and safety obligations and compliance as it applies to small business. The panellists provide insights into how businesses can establish work health and safety management plans to ensure they meet their duty of care now and into the future.

While we’ve come a long way in ensuring physical health and safety is a normal part of how we work, our next challenge is to ensure mental health is given the same priority.

When it comes to psychological health and safety, employers can often be confused about their responsibilities. They want to know how to address the legal requirements, what best practice is, and how they can address the risks.

Professor Richard Johnstone explains what responsive regulation is, the history, and its theoretical foundations. He discusses how responsive regulation is a flexible solution between the two arguments: one for less regulation and one for more ‘command and control’ regulation.

Use this guide if you manage risks to workers exposed to diesel exhaust at the workplace, including: 

• drive-in booth operators 

• miners 

• construction workers 

• oil and gas workers 

This infographic style poster describes three key steps to help you work safely when there is bushfire smoke in your area.  

• PREPARE:  Preparing ahead of the bushfire event. 

Work health and safety laws protect all workers, no matter how they are employed (e.g. labour hire; casuals) or their visa status. The same laws apply to all workplaces and workers in Australia.

Labour hire involves a host organisation using workers from a labour hire agency, for a short period of time. These arrangements are sometimes referred to as “on-hire” or “agency” arrangements. 

Managing the work health and safety (WHS) risks from air pollution (for example, bushfire smoke) at the workplace is a duty for all persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs).

The eight-hour time weighted average workplace exposure standard (WES) for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is 0.05 mg/m³.

In some circumstances, you have a right to stop or refuse to carry out unsafe work. You have this right if you have reasonable concern of a serious risk to your health and safety. You must inform the PCBU as soon as you can that you have ceased work.

If you work outside, you may be at risk of exposure to extreme cold.  

Persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) and workers should be aware of any bushfires near your work area. Follow instructions and advice from emergency services and ensure you can evacuate the area if needed.

If you work outside, you’re at risk of exposure to air pollution. Events such as dust storms and bushfires may reduce outdoor air quality. Reduced air quality may pose health and safety risks. 

If you work outside, you’re at risk of exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, even when it’s cloudy. 

If you work outside, you may experience potentially hazardous weather conditions, including:  

• storms 

• wind  

• rain 

• lightning 

• fog 

There are several factors that increase the risk of getting sick from the heat in the workplace. This checklist will help you work out if you have a risk of heat-related illness at your workplace. 

Everyone in the workplace has work health and safety duties under the model WHS Act

Resources relevant to remote and isolated work 

To minimise risks to workers’ health and safety, you must have control measures in place to manage the risks associated with remote and isolated work.  

If you’re a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you have a duty to protect workers’ health and safety. This includes managing the risks associated with remote and isolated work.  

Workers may face increased or additional work health and safety risks when working alone or in a remote location. This includes a lack of second opinion, support or assistance with difficult tasks, or no one around to notice if they are fatig

Resources relating to Quad bikes and Quad bike safety. 

Where possible, as a PCBU, you must always eliminate a risk. That means first thinking about if quad bikes are right for the job. When this is not reasonably practicable, you must minimise risks, so far as is reasonably practicable. 

There are ways to minimise risks if quad bikes are used in your workplace. You should also consider whether a different vehicle may be safer. 

Noise-related injuries are avoidable. Through managing the risks of exposure to noise, you can prevent damage to your workers hearing. 

As the PCBU, you must protect workers from noise-related injuries. There are some things you must check and put in place to meet your duties. 

Resources on workplace mental health 

Everyone has a role in managing psychosocial risks. These duties are set out in the model WHS Act and model WHS Regulations.

If your work involves lead, as the PCBU, you may have additional duties under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations. 

Resources to help PCBUs manage the risk of fatigue. Resources are also available for workers.

Find out how to manage the risks of fatigue at work.