In general, the rights and responsibilities of all people in the workplace are defined in the WHS Act or OHS Act that applies to that state or territory, and the Regulations that go with the Act.

Whichever laws are in place, they all say that everyone has a duty of care to ensure that their actions don't endanger others.

Everyone is also required to report any hazards they notice in the workplace, so that steps can be taken to minimise the risk of an injury or illness occurring.

As well as these general responsibilities there are specific responsibilities relating to each level of employment, as shown below.

Specific responsibilities

Directors are responsible for:

• ensuring that the company's WHS policies are effective in keeping the workplace safe
  
  
• ensuring that the company's activities comply with all WHS legislation.

Managers are responsible for:

• developing and implementing safe work policies and procedures                     
  
  
• consulting with the workforce on WHS issues
  
  
• distributing all relevant information to employees.

Supervisors are responsible for:                                                                                                                                               

• supervising the performance of workers
  
  
• ensuring that workers are properly trained
  
  
• carrying out regular safety inspections
  
  
• correcting unsafe work practices and disciplining workers who disregard WHS policies.

Workers are responsible for:

• taking care of the health and safety of themselves and others who may be affected by their actions
  
  
• following safe operating procedures and other safety directions from management
  
  
• reporting hazards or unsafe work practices to their supervisor
  
  
• reporting any injuries to their supervisor
  
  
• cooperating in health and safety programs.

Rights

The laws also give workers certain rights. For example, workers have the right to raise genuine safety issues with their supervisor or manager and have their concerns taken seriously.

They're also protected from discrimination if they report a hazard or unsafe work practice.

Safety officers and WHS committee members are also protected from discrimination as they carry out the duties relating to that position, such as doing site inspections or investigating the causes of accidents.