Workplace Safety Tips

admin • October 29, 2024

Prioritizing Workplace Safety: Essential Tips for a Safer Environment


In today's fast-paced work environments, prioritizing safety is crucial for the well-being of employees and the success of businesses. A safe workplace not only protects employees from harm but also boosts morale, increases productivity, and reduces costs associated with accidents and injuries. In this post, we'll explore key workplace safety tips that every employee and employer should implement.


1. Understand the Safety Regulations and Policies

Familiarize Yourself with the OHS Act, Regulations and Guidelines the provide and outline workplace safety standards. Knowing these guidelines is essential for compliance and safety.

Every organization should have its own safety policies. Make sure to review these regularly and understand your responsibilities.


 2. Maintain a Clean and Organized Workspace

Clutter Control: Keep your workspace tidy to prevent tripping hazards. Regularly declutter and organize materials and tools.

Proper Storage: Store items appropriately. Heavy items should be kept at waist level to minimize strain when lifting.


3. Ergonomics Matter

Adjust Your Workspace: Ensure your desk, chair, and computer are set up ergonomically. Adjust your chair height and monitor position to reduce strain on your body.

Take Breaks: Schedule regular breaks to stretch and move around, helping to reduce fatigue and improve focus.


4. Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Know Your Gear: If your job requires PPE, such as gloves, goggles, or helmets, ensure you know how to use and maintain them properly.

Report Damaged Equipment: Always report any damaged PPE to your supervisor immediately to ensure your safety.


5. Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

Situational Awareness: Be mindful of your environment, including potential hazards like wet floors, moving machinery, or colleagues in your vicinity.

Emergency Exits: Familiarize yourself with emergency exits and evacuation routes. Know where to go in case of an emergency.


6. Communicate Openly

Report Hazards: If you notice unsafe conditions or practices, report them to your supervisor. Open communication can prevent accidents before they happen.

Encourage Feedback: Foster a culture where employees feel comfortable sharing safety concerns or suggestions for improvement.


7. Emergency Preparedness

Know the Plan: Ensure you are aware of the company’s emergency procedures for situations like fires, medical emergencies, or natural disasters.

Training: Remain up to date with HSR and OHS for Leaders training. This knowledge is invaluable.



Creating a safe workplace is a collective responsibility that requires the commitment of both employees and employers. By understanding safety regulations, maintaining an organized workspace, using the right protective equipment, and fostering open communication, we can create an environment where everyone feels secure. Remember, safety is not just a policy; it’s a culture.


Call to Action

Let’s make safety a priority! Share your workplace safety tips in the comments below, and don’t forget to update your training



The Safety Spotlight on Small Business

By admin • July 1, 2025
The rise of podcasts has made learning and information so accessible and learning about OHS is no different. We came across the WorkSafe Act podcast ‘The Safety Spotlight’ episode on ‘Small Business’. In this podcast, Jacqui Argius, the WorkSafe ACT Commissioner talks about safety in small business . She is joined by Michelle Boundy in a podcast led by Lish Fejer. They discuss a number of matters relating to safety in the small business environment, which are summarised below. Small businesses are required to be compliant with safety legislation, no matter how small they are. It is often the case that small businesses have less OHS expertise. Sometimes they may think that a serious incident ‘won’t happen here’. They may not have a good understanding of what their legal obligations are. Sometimes there may be a ‘fear factor’ about their lack of understanding of how to meet their legal obligations. They may think that they are too small to need proper systems. But – just because they are small, this doesn’t mean that they don’t need to meet the same requirements as the larger businesses when it comes to safety, and this includes both physical and psychosocial safety. Small businesses must also have WorkCover insurance. Like in all businesses, consultation is key. ‘Talking to your workers’ is so important to ensuring a safe workplace. This includes ensuring that young workers and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds can understand. Guidance material regarding how to communicate safety information is available. The importance of training is also covered. Small businesses must have an induction process and ongoing training for their workers. Employees must also be trained in how to report hazards. The application of risk management systems and the hierarchy of controls is the same in small business as in any workplace, as is the concept of ‘ reasonably practicable ’. The commissioner highlights that the cost of implementing a control will not be considered to be important if a matter goes to court. The employer must eliminate or implement controls to all risks to health and safety. The podcasters acknowledge that there are a myriad of pressures on small businesses – but highlight that this does not reduce their obligations in relation to safety. Nor does it exempt the business from enforcement by the regulator: ‘we will be regulating them the same as anyone else’. Overall, the podcast highlights the need for small business owners to be pro-active and build a safety-first culture. To listen to the WorkSafe ACT Small Business Podcast, check out: Ep. 2 - Small Business There are many resources available to small business to ensure that they are providing and safe and healthy workplace. In Victoria these include: Getting some help from WorkSafe through the OHS Essentials program, which is free to small business and a great place to start. Accessing health and safety checklists as a way to begin a self-assessment. Reading about your obligations and legal requirements. Take a look at the WorkSafe website to access these resources here: Small business | WorkSafe Victoria

Education: The Key to Workplace Safety

By admin • June 24, 2025
At BeSafe Victoria, we live, eat and breathe safety education. Why? Because we believe it is the key to workplace safety. We see and hear the on-the-ground OHS stories from our participants on a daily basis, both during training and while providing follow-up support. It is remarkable to see the transformation that occurs during a training course, as participants grow their safety knowledge and become empowered to influence their own safety and that of their workplace. In regional Victoria, it is not uncommon for OHS Literacy to be very low. This is not in all workplaces, but certainly our experience shows that many workers have received very little or no training in OHS. By gaining an understanding of OHS, we can empower individuals to keep themselves safe. This includes in understanding their rights, recognising hazards, mitigating risks and knowing when to say no to unsafe work. Training an individual also means that they can bring this new knowledge to their workplace, leading to positive improvements in safety outcomes for their colleagues. Safety training has broader implications too – it can inspire conversations with family and friends, creating a ‘ripple effect’ of improved safety awareness in the community. We often see participants who deeply care about safety and have put their hand up to become a Health and Safety Representative (HSR) in their workplace. These participants come in with the drive and walk out with the tools and the passion they need to make a really tangible difference in their workplace. We know of many stories of trained HSR’s who go on to transform the safety of their workplaces. Whether we are duty holders, supervisors, HSR’s, or employees – we all have a role to play in the safety of our workplace – and with the right knowledge, we can make a positive contribution.  What truly underpins a safe work environment? The answer lies in education .