Induction - Training - Competency

Health and safety legislation – training and competency

Health and safety legislation aims to ensure that the workplace is safe and healthy and to encourage consultation and cooperation between employers and employees on health and safety matters.

What the law requires of employers

The law requires employers to provide and maintain:

• a safe working environment
• safe systems of work
• equipment in a safe condition

The law also requires employers to provide:

• information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure that each employee is safe from injury and risks to health

This legal requirement is called the employer's duty of care.

Employers who fail in their duty of care can face substantial fines.

Health and safety training is good for business

Providing health and safety training is good for business because:

• The money you spend on health and safety training saves money in the long term. A workplace that is not healthy and safe may have to face insurance claims, medical bills, higher insurance premiums, replacement labour costs and lost productive time.
• Health and safety training is not optional - the law states that as an employer you are responsible for providing health and safety information and training to your employees.
• Health and safety training is responsible - training reduces the risk of pain and injury at work.