You must first aim to eliminate risks so far as is reasonably practicable. If a risk can’t be eliminated, it must be minimised as far as is reasonably practicable. Risks can be eliminated or minimised by implementing control measures which can help all workers to stay safe and healthy at work. A control measure could be isolating your workers from a hazard such as toxic fumes or gases or substituting an unsafe work method with a less hazardous work practice.
Control measures must also be reviewed regularly to make sure they work as planned.
Consultation is an essential part of health and safety at work. It helps you to identify and understand risks and find practical ways of managing them. You have a duty to consult with workers, their representatives and other duty holders under WHS laws, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. You can consult in a way that suits your business, your workers and the type of health and safety risks in your workplace.
There are many things workplaces can do to manage WHS risks to prevent fatalities, injuries and disease.
The following materials may be useful to help you start thinking about how to manage WHS risks.
- A step-by-step guide to managing WHS risks
- Applying a risk management process to COVID-19
- Consultation duties
- How to consult with workers
- Health and Safety Representatives
- Infographic – PPE for food delivery riders