The Importance of Workplace Safety

Queensland’s Work Health and Safety Act 2011 charges business owners and employers with providing a safe and healthy work environment for their employees, customers and other parties on site. As far as reasonably possible, employers must provide things such as safety instruction, protective equipment and workplace training to protect employees.

The welcome news is that WHS standards have seen a steady decline in workplace fatalities over the past decade. However, there is more work to do, with 194 Australians suffering fatal incidents and 28,732 people reporting serious workplace injuries during 2020. Every injury or fatality that occurs in the workplace puts a strain on the people and families involved. Medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and the loss of the ability to work are a significant hurdle that can often be difficult to overcome, even with workers’ compensation claims.

Tips for Staying Safe at Work

While it is nominally the employer’s responsibility to maintain a safe work environment, employees should take an active role in their health and wellbeing:

1. Request training. Avoid the risk of using unfamiliar or dangerous equipment without training. If none has been provided, make a point of seeking formal training for new processes.
2. Use machinery, equipment and tools correctly. Proper use of equipment drastically reduces your chance of being injured at work. While it may be tempting to take shortcuts, overconfidence can cause injury just as easily as a lack of training.
3. Wear protective equipment. Some workplaces, such as hospitals and machinery shops, are required to supply protective equipment to employees. Be sure to wearpersonal protective equipment where needed. Remember, the health effects of things like loud environments may only become apparent years later, so it is crucial to look after yourself in the short term.
4. Maintain your equipment. Tools and equipment should be kept in reasonablecondition to reduce the risk of accidental failures. Maintenance items as simple as frayed power cords can cause fatal injuries, so stay on top of regular equipment maintenance.
5. Be aware of your surroundings. A large proportion of workplace injuries are caused by simple carelessness. Always bee mindful of your surroundings and other employees to avoid injuring yourself or someone else.
6. Find out who is in charge of workplace safety. Most workplaces will nominate a single person or a team to oversee safety issues. Be sure you know who these people are in your business so that you can seek them out if you are experiencing an problem.
7. Report safety concerns. Employees deal with their tools and equipment daily. That often means they have firsthand knowledge of things like unsafe practices, failing machinery and maintenance concerns. If you notice a problem in your workplace, report it immediately and follow up to be sure it is addressed promptly.

Have You Been Injured While at Work? Contact Your Revolution Lawyer Today

Unfortunately, while visa holders are entitled to the same workplace rights as other employees in Australia, some employers may still attempt to take advantage of foreign workers. In addition to

Each day, people all over Brisbane clock in at work to perform potentially dangerous tasks that keep our city running smoothly. While many workplaces are aware of the risk to their employees and take measures to ensure their safety, workplace injuries and workplace accidents are still common.In Queensland, Worker’s Compensation protects employees should they become injured while at work. If you suffer an injury, you may be entitled to seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages and undue suffering. When dealing with a workplace injury, it is essential to seek professional legal and medical advice as soon as possible. Your local Revolution Law team can assess your situation, assist you with making a claim and ensure you have access to the experts you need. Our process focuses on being supportive and resolving your claim as quickly as possible, getting you back to work sooner. Have a claim? Speak to your local Revolution Lawyer for a free consultation regarding your Worker’s Compensation claims.