The Health and Safety at Work Act

The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) requires every workplace to have systems in place for managing health and safety, and focuses on the prevention of harm.

The Act

• recognises that a well-functioning health and safety system relies on participation, leadership, and accountability by government, business, and workers

• acknowledges everyone’s responsibilities in keeping workers healthy and safe in workplaces

• clarifies the responsibilities and accountabilities and strengthens worker participation

• promotes effective risk management.

Summary of responsibilities

Person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU)

At school, the PCBU is the board as an entity.

The board as PCBU holds the primary duty of care for the health and safety of everyone in the school community "so far as is reasonably practicable".

The PCBU's leadership role includes making governance decisions that influence health and safety.

Officer

Each individual board member and the principal is an officer.

Officers must:

• exercise due diligence to ensure that the board meets its health and safety obligations

• ensure that the necessary policies, procedures, and resources are in place

• monitor the policies, procedures, and resources.

Worker

A worker is anyone working for the PCBU, i.e. all staff, including the principal, trainee teachers, caretaker; all contractors; and volunteer workers.

Volunteer workers are people who regularly work on an ongoing basis for the school and are integral to its operations, for example, coaches, walking bus helpers, breakfast club helpers.

Workers must:

• take reasonable care for their own health and safety

• take reasonable care that what they do, or don't do, doesn't adversely affect the health and safety of others

• comply, so far as reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction given by the board that enables it to comply with the HSWA and regulations

• cooperate with any reasonable school policy or procedure relating to health or safety at school.

Other persons

Other persons are anyone in the school environment, i.e. students, parents and caregivers, visitors, casual volunteers, and members of the public.

Casual volunteers are involved in activities, such as fundraising activities, assisting at sports days and fairs, or helping with EOTC activities.

Other persons must:

• take reasonable care for their own health and safety

• take reasonable care that what they do, or don't do, doesn't adversely affect the health and safety of others

• comply, so far as reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction given by the board that enables it to comply with the HSWA and regulations.

Reviewed 31/10/2022