Workplace Health and Safety

Workplace health and safety is heavily regulated with each State and Territory having health and Safety Acts. These need to be followed at all times as it is braking the Law if you do not. If you do not follow the health and Safety Acts you can be fined as well as sued by anyone who injures themselves.

Health and safety Policies

No matter how many employees you have you should have a written health and safety policies. The policy cover the following:

1.  Your general approach and objectives in relation to health and safety
2.  The arrangements and safety procedures you have in place for managing health and safety in your business

You also need to manage your health and safety policy in a way that benefits you, your employees, your business and the public. Policies need to promote staff well-being and minimise workplace accidents and injuries. You need to also create specific Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol at workplace policies. You might also want to create a dealing with stress policy to help your employees maintain a healthy workplace. The benefits for your business can include the improved overall health of your workers and improved morale and business productivity.

Health and safety needs to be taken seriously around the workplace. One common way of achieving this is to appoint a Health and Safety officer to each workplace area. This allows the employees to bring health and safety issues to the attention of someone who has the authority to deal with the problem. Also check local state legislation on your applicable health and safety laws.

In conjunction with work place health and safety policies you need to have other business and staff policies to protect your business these include;

1. Absence Policy that outlines acceptable work hours  and breaks etc

2. Internet Policy outline the acceptable use of the computer in the workplace

Also you will need to not only decide to have a workplace health and safety policy but it is a good idea to read our guide on writing policies and procedures to help you get started.