General duty of care obligations are stated under Section 8 of the Occupational Health and Safety 2000 Act.

The most effective form of occupational health and safety (OHS) management is when health and safety is integrated in an organisation’s corporate planning and implementation strategies.

WorkCover published this guide in 1997 Due diligence at work a checklist for action on workplace health and safety for company directors and managers.

A six step approach has been devised to assist with the implementation of an OHS system. This plan can help you prevent accidents, incidents, injuries and work related ill health.

1. develop appropriate OHS policies and programs;
2. set up a mechanism to consult about OHS matters with employees;
3. establish a training strategy;
4. establish a hazard identification and workplace assessment process;
5. develop and implement risk control strategies; and
6. promote, maintain and improve these strategies.

The steps are not necessarily in order, because all workplaces are different.

Go now to: WorkCover Authority of New South Wales - How do I meet my duty of care obligations to my employees?