Safe systems at work

Under Section 9(1) of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, an employer must provide and maintain a safe system of work as far as is reasonably practicable.

A safe system of work is one which minimises the risk of employees and others from being injured or harmed by the work activity. To achieve this required level of safety, the employer must:

• Consider contemporary technical standards and approved codes of practice applicable to his/her business;
• Systematically identify all hazards in the workplace;
• Determine which of the identified hazards are significant; and
• Take all practicable steps to eliminate or at least minimise the risk of injury or harm from the hazard through isolation, substitution, administrative or engineering means, or the provision of personal protective equipment.