WSHA to cover all workplaces from 1st Sept 2011

Under the Workplace Safety & Health Act of 2006 which replaces the Factories Act, “workplace” means any premises where a person is at work or is to work, for the time being works, or customarily works, and includes a factory.

Under this Act, employers must manage risks at work while employees must adhere to safe work practices.

Roles and responsibilities:

Under the Act, employees have a duty to keep your workplace and colleagues safe.

You should:
• follow safety and health procedures at your workplace;
• not endanger yourself and your colleagues;
• not tamper with safety devices or perform willful or reckless acts;
• report unsafe work conditions, behaviours and workplace incidents (regardless of whether an injury takes place); and provide suggestions to improve safety and health at work.
 

Under the Act, employers are required to ensure the safety and health of every one of their employees. Employers should:
• remove or control risks at their workplace;
• maintain a safe work environment;
• make sure that safety is maintained in all equipment used at the workplace;
• develop plans for dealing with emergencies; and
• provide employees with clear plans and resources to keep their workplace safe.
 

To help you fulfill your obligations under the Act, read on for more information on risk management and incident reporting.