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As an employer, it is an essential legal requirement that you abide by the occupational health and safety (OH&S) regulations. If you fail to comply with the regulations, you can be exposed to prosecution and fines.

Your obligations as an employer include ensuring:

• Safe working premises
• Safe equipment, machinery and substances
• Safe systems and procedures of work
• Information, instruction, training and supervision
• A suitable working environment and facilities.

There are national OH&S Standards and Codes of Practice to help employers understand and meet these obligations. Each state and territory also provides information on specific OH&S Acts and Codes of Practice.

Workplace health and safety authorities in each state and territory and the Safe Work Australia have responsibilities for enforcing the legislation. They also provide health and safety advice as well as education and training for employers and employees.

It is important for you to note that the legal obligations of employers vary according to circumstances. You may need to seek independent legal advice on what is applicable to your specific situation.

Occupational health and safety standards are not only important from a legal standpoint. It is in an employer's best interest to keep their workers safe and healthy, as it will save costs associated with sick leave, compensation and downtime. There are also substantial penalties for breaches of the regulations, as outlined on the Penalties section on the Workcover NSW website.

In situations where there has been a breach of OH&S regulations or when an accident or injury has occurred in the workplace, an employee must report the incident to their employer. The employer may then be required to report the incident to their insurer or the relevant state authorities, such as Workcover NSW. More information regarding your legal responsibilities as an employer can be found at Employer Obligations.