The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 is a law that helps keep workplaces safe. It's known as the OHS Act. The OHS Act places responsibilities on various people. They include employers, people who manage or control a workplace, self-employed people and employees. You will have different OHS Act responsibilities depending on your role. Find out about your role and workplace responsibilities.
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A duty to provide facilities
Workplace facilities are the equipment and services provided at work for employees' welfare. Workplace facilities include, for example:
- toilets
- washing facilities
- change rooms
- personal storage
- seating
- dining rooms
- drinking water
The OHS Act requires employers to provide adequate facilities for the welfare of employees. Employers must do this at any workplace under their management and control. The duty to provide facilities is one of the main duties employers have to employees. As an employer, you must fulfil this duty so far as is reasonably practicable. In other words, you have to do everything a reasonable person would do to provide adequate facilities for your employees.
Under the OHS Act, your employees can include independent contractors you have engaged and employees of the independent contractors.
As an employer, you must also ensure appropriate systems of work are in place. Appropriate systems help ensure the working environment is safe and without risks to health. This could mean, for example, that:
- employees have breaks to use toilets
- the toilets are within a reasonable distance of the work area
- night shift employees have the same access to facilities as employees who work during the day
- the way to access facilities is safe
Consult about facilities
You must consult with your employees and contractors to ensure facilities are adequate for their health and safety. You must also consult with independent contractors and their employees. There are also consultation obligations between employers and labour hire providers who share occupational health and safety duties to labour hire workers. Consulting with employees and contractors helps you assess their needs. Employees may have health and safety representatives, also known as HSRs. Consultation must involve any HSRs, with or without employees' direct involvement.
Assess workplace and facilities
Deciding what facilities are adequate for your workplace requires close assessment. You have to assess the workplace, your employees and their needs.
For example, does work take place in a building, such as a sex work premises? Or does the work take place away from the main workplace, such as with an escort agency? How many people work at the workplace? Are there enough toilets? Are there change rooms and storage facilities? Are there people with special needs? Is there adequate cleaning equipment? Are there appropriate facilities for cleaning spills and disposing of waste? Is the workplace noisy? Is it too warm or too cold? Too dark?
These are just some of the questions to consider when assessing your workplace. Ensure you consult with employees and any HSRs when doing your assessment.
Issues to consider when deciding on facilities
There are various issues to consider when working out what facilities employees need. Issues to consider include:
- the type and place of work
- workplace activities
- the facilities employees need to do their job
- that employees may be exposed to infectious illnesses
- work arrangements, such as shift times
- the characteristics of employees, such as gender, language, literacy or special needs
- employee access to facilities
- the need for change rooms and personal storage
- lighting
- air temperature
- cleaning and maintenance
Review your facilities
You must provide facilities. As well, you should also regularly review whether your facilities are adequate for employees and contractors.
Review your facilities when:
- asked by an HSR
- there are changes to work practices, equipment or the workplace
- new employees and contractors start work
- introducing new systems of work
- there is a complaint about the facilities or the working environment
- there is an incident that affects the health, safety or welfare of employees
Reviews should take place regularly, at least every 12 months.
Reviews of your facilities will help ensure they continue to meet employees' and contractors' needs. You have to consult with employees, contractors and HSRs when reviewing your workplace's facilities.
Guidelines for facilities
The following guidelines may help ensure your workplace has adequate facilities.
Entry and exit
Employees, contractors, clients and others have to be able to enter and leave the workplace safely. Control hazards and risks at entries and exits, so far as reasonably practicable. Ensure your controls take into account people who may have disabilities or extra needs. Entries and exits have to be slip-resistant and well lit. Ensure the car park is well lit. Employees and others should be able to move about easily, without risks to their health and safety.
Emergency exits
Ensure the location of doors is clearly marked. Ensure signs show the direction to exit doors for emergency evacuation. Emergency exits in buildings have to comply with the National Construction Code.
Drinking water
Employees and contractors should have access to clean drinking water at all times. Drinking enough fluids is essential for normal body function.
Employees and contractors may work at different locations or travel between locations. In this case, you may need to provide bottled drinking water or refillable drink bottles.
WorkSafe has more guidance about drinking water. See the compliance code Workplace Facilities and the Working Environment.
Toilets
Employees and contractors need access to clean and hygienic toilets at all times while at work. Ensure toilets are accessible. Preferably, toilets will be inside a building. If not, ensure they are as close as possible to the workplace. In multi-storey buildings there should be toilets on at least every second storey. Your employees might work in short-term temporary workplaces. They might also work at workplaces in remote areas. In these cases, consider whether temporary toilets are reasonably practicable. Ensure the toilets are in a secure place with safe access.
Where possible, keep toilets for employees separate from toilets for clients and others.
Toilets have to meet authorised or approved design standards. They must meet the needs of a person with a disability.
Ensure toilets are:
- clearly marked
- fitted with a hinged seat and lid, except in the case of fully accessible toilets for people with a disability. Fully accessible toilets should have a hinged seat but should not have a lid
- provided with adequate lighting and ventilation
- fitted with a hinged door that can be locked from inside each cubicle but allows access in an emergency
- separated from any other room by a soundproof wall or by a separate entrance
- separated from any other room by an airlock
Toilet requirements
Toilets provided by employers require:
- enough toilet paper for each toilet and all people using the toilets
- handwashing facilities
- hygienic hand-drying facilities
- rubbish bins
- suitable hygienic ways to dispose of sanitary items
- sharps disposal containers
WorkSafe has more guidance about toilets. See the compliance code Workplace Facilities and the Working Environment.
Hand washing
Employees and contractors need access to handwashing facilities for personal hygiene. They should be able to wash their hands as needed.
Ensure handwashing facilities:
- are accessible at all times
- are near toilets if toilets do not have internal washing facilities
- include hot and cold-water outlets or temperature mixing outlets
- have soap or other cleaning products
- have hygienic hand-drying facilities. This could include, for example, disposable paper towels or air dryers for hand drying
- have waste bins for the disposal of paper towels
Provide mirrors near handwashing facilities.
See the compliance code Workplace Facilities and the Working Environment for more guidance.
First aid
Ensure you provide first aid facilities at the workplace, including first aid kits, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for administering first aid and first aid procedures. Include facilities for the safe disposal of sharps.
When working out your first aid requirements you need to:
- identify the hazards that could result in work-related injury or illness
- assess the likelihood and severity of work-related injury or illness
- determine and provide the appropriate first aid facilities and training, taking into account the nature of the workplace
- review first aid arrangements on a regular basis or as circumstances change
Consult with employees, contractors and any HSRs when working out first aid arrangements.
The WorkSafe website has information to help you provide appropriate first aid facilities.
Change rooms and personal storage
Your employees and contractors may need to change clothing or other apparel. If so, they will need access to changing areas.
Provide employees and contractors with access to dedicated private changing rooms. Ensure changing rooms allow a clear space of at least 0.5 m2 for each employee. This space should not include other facilities such as lockers.
Consider the genders of your employees. Consult with your employees and contractors and any HSRs when working out how many changing rooms you need. You may need female, male and all-gender changing rooms.
Ensure the temperature of changing rooms is comfortable for employees as they change. Extra heating or cooling may be necessary.
Changing rooms should have:
- enough seating for the number of people dressing or undressing at one time
- accessible mirrors, either within the changing room or directly outside
- enough hooks for clothing
Sex workers and others may need secure storage for personal property. Consider providing storage facilities that let employees safely and securely store personal items.
Changing and storage areas for employees need to be separate from those for clients.
WorkSafe has more guidance on change rooms and facilities. See the compliance code Workplace Facilities and the Working Environment.
Facilities for rest
Where possible, provide facilities for rest breaks. Sex workers might rest at the workplace between jobs. In this case, you should provide a rest room, so far as is reasonably practicable. The room should be separate from the workspace. It should have adequate facilities and should be in a sound and clean condition.
Showers
Sex workers need access to showers. Where there are showers for employees and clients, the showers for employees should be separate.
Ensure your shower facilities provide privacy for users.
Ensure showers are in good working order and meet building standards.
Each shower should have clean hot and cold water and its own soap or other cleaning product. You should also provide drying facilities, such as clean towels.
You should provide portable showers for employees working in remote or temporary locations. Ensure portable showers meet required standards. This includes requirements for accessibility and gender needs.
Clean showers after each use and repair or replace damaged surfaces. Inspect showers regularly and ensure regular maintenance takes place.
WorkSafe has more guidance about requirements for showers. See the compliance code Workplace Facilities and the Working Environment.
Cleaning
Providing adequate facilities for your employees' welfare includes maintaining and cleaning the facilities at your workplace. Ensure your workplace and its facilities are:
- hygienic
- safe
- secure
- in serviceable condition
Make sure your housekeeping practices address spills, waste and other hazards. Ensure all employees and contractors are trained in effective cleaning and infection control. Have clear guidelines about who is responsible for cleaning up potentially infectious waste. Include guidelines about when cleaning needs to be done and who can give advice if help is needed.
Provide proper cleaning equipment for sex workers who also do cleaning work at the workplace. Proper cleaning equipment includes personal protective equipment, also known as PPE.
Workplaces and facilities require regular cleaning, usually daily. However, they may need cleaning more than once a day. Take into account the requirements for cleaning high-use facilities. These include, for example:
- work rooms and equipment
- linen
- showers
- toilets
- towels
- hand basins
- showers
- pools and spas
- heating and cooling systems
High-use facilities may need more frequent cleaning than other facilities. Take into account work shifts, the type of work performed and the number of employees when determining how frequently cleaning should occur.
Consider your options for general workplace cleaning. You could, for example, engage external contract cleaners.
Clean regularly with detergents and hospital-grade disinfectants. This will help control mould, fungus and other biohazards.
Supply waste containers where they are needed. Regularly replace consumable items such as soap and toilet paper.
Ensure you have safe disposal units for sharps.
Waste disposal
Waste from sex work premises may be defined as clinical and related waste. This includes sharps, such as syringes and needles.
It is illegal to dispose of clinical and related waste into general waste. The Environment Protection Authority Victoria issues guidelines for waste disposal. The guidelines may help you correctly dispose of waste from sex work.
Keep premises in good order
Sex work premises should be clean and hygienic. They should be appropriately maintained and serviced at all times. Promptly repair broken equipment and fittings. Maintain equipment and furniture in good order and replace as needed.
Keep records
An appropriate cleaning and maintenance program includes keeping records. This includes records of cleaning, waste disposal and pest control. You should keep records of cleaning and maintenance.
Linen
Soiled linen can be a source of infection and pests. Provide clean linen or bed covers and clean towels for employees. Change all linen immediately after each use. This includes towels.
Take the following precautions to control risks from soiled linen:
- Transport and store clean linen separate from used linen.
- Provide at least 2 separate labelled containers for separate storage of clean and used linen.
- Remove soiling and solid matter before washing and dispose of it safely. Examples of safe disposal may include flushing the solid matter in the toilet, with the lid down. Wear PPE for protection against splashing and contamination.
- Wash linen in hot water with laundry detergent.
- Fully dry linen after washing.
Spa pools and spa baths
Spa pools and spa baths need careful maintenance, frequent cleaning and disinfection. This is because they provide ideal conditions for the growth of Legionella bacteria. Legionella bacteria can cause Legionnaire's disease. Legionnaire's disease is a form of lung inflammation called pneumonia. Legionnaire's disease is uncommon but can be severe and life threatening.
Spa jets create fine drops of water in the air. People can catch Legionnaires' disease by breathing in droplets containing the Legionella bacteria.
Controlling the growth of Legionella bacteria can reduce the risk of Legionnaire's disease.
To reduce the risk of Legionnaire's disease from spa pools, keep spa pool water in a clean, safe and healthy condition. This requires:
- correct use of spa pool water chemicals
- good management of the disinfection filtration and recirculation systems
- regular cleaning of spa pool surfaces
To reduce the risk from spa baths and ensure hygienic operation, make sure baths are:
- drained after each use
- inspected frequently
- regularly cleaned and maintained
- kept dry when not in use
More information about Legionnaires' disease is available from the Department of Health.
There are OHS obligations where a spa pool operates at a workplace. There may also be obligations under other legislation. As an employer, you should be aware of these obligations. For example, you must comply with public health and wellbeing legislation. You must also register spa pools with the relevant municipal council.
Cleaning up body fluids
Body fluids such as blood, vomit, urine, faeces, saliva, vaginal fluids and semen may contain infectious organisms. Ensure you have a system in place for dealing with body fluid spills. Ensure all employees and contractors are aware of and understand the system. Include the system in your induction, training and education programs.
Cleaning up body fluids requires special care to avoid viruses such as hepatitis A, B or C, HIV and others.
Immediately clean up body fluid spills. Treat all waste products as if they are contaminated. Ensure employee who clean up body fluids always wear gloves and other appropriate PPE.
Equipment for cleaning up body fluids
Provide cleaning equipment. This includes a mop, cleaning bucket, detergents, disinfectants and disposable paper towels. Ensure all employees know where the cleaning equipment is stored.
You should also provide a disposable spills kit. A spills kit is a plastic container with a fitted lid. It should contain:
- disposable paper towels
- leak-proof bags and containers for disposal of waste material
- a sturdy scraper and pan
- at least 5 packets of a granular formulation containing 10,000 parts per million available chlorine or equivalent. Each packet should contain enough granules to cover a spill 10 cm in diameter
- disposable rubber gloves suitable for cleaning
- eye protection
- a plastic apron
- a mask to protect against inhalation of powder from disinfectant granules or aerosols
Replace single-use items in the spills kit immediately after each use.
Precautions for cleaning up bodily fluids
Take the following precautions when cleaning up body fluids:
- Always wear protective gloves and other appropriate PPE when dealing with body fluids.
- Should body fluids come in contact with a person’s skin, the person should wash the area with warm water and soap. Before washing their hands, the person should not touch:
- themselves where they have a break in their skin
- anybody else where they have a break in the skin
- body openings
- Sex workers performing escort services should carry soap and disposable gloves with them.
- Cover breaks in the skin. For example:
- cuts
- grazes
- rashes
- recent injection sites
- new or unhealed piercings and tattoos
- Dispose of PPE used during the clean-up or send it for cleaning.
- Wash and dry hands after removing and discarding gloves and other PPE.
Procedures for cleaning up body fluids
Follow these procedures when cleaning up body fluids:
- Always wear gloves and other appropriate PPE.
- Use disposable paper towels or tissues or a spill kit to clean up the bulk of the spilled fluid. Place used paper towels or tissues in a plastic bag. Seal the bag and dispose of it in a way that does not require anybody to directly handle the bag again.
- Mop or sponge hard surfaces with cold water and soap or detergent and disinfectant.
- Thoroughly clean and dry areas where there is any possibility of bare skin contact with the surface.
- Sponge carpets and rugs with cold water and soap or detergent. Rinse and air-dry. Do not use disinfectant. Steam cleaning is an option.
- Use paper towels and gloves or a spill kit to remove as much soiled matter as possible from bedding. Place used paper towels and gloves in a plastic bag. Seal the bag and dispose of it in a way that does not require anybody to directly handle the bag again. Then machine-wash bedding separately in hot water and regular laundry detergent. Dry thoroughly.
Where possible, do not have carpets, curtains and soft furnishings in areas where body fluid spills could occur. This will not be practicable in some premises, such as home settings. In this case, have contaminated furnishings professionally cleaned and laundered or replaced. Washable covers are an option.
The Department of Health has more guidance to help manage spills of blood and body fluids and substances.
Workspace
You should provide employees and contractors with the space they need to provide their services. They have to be able to work and move without the risk of strain or injury, so far as reasonably practicable. When working out the size of work areas for employees, take into account:
- the service provided
- the physical actions needed to perform the service
- the need to move around while working
- whether the task is performed from a lying, sitting or standing position
- the equipment used and PPE that might be required
Consider the size of the workspace when determining what hazards might be present. You may need to increase the workspace to reduce the effect of environmental factors. Environmental factors include, for example, noise, temperature and humidity, air quality, cramped workspace and hazardous manual handling.
Massage or treatment tables
Sex workers sometimes use adjustable and portable massage or treatment tables.
Most adjustable treatment tables have scissor-type linkages and some type of locking mechanism. The linkages can create trapping, crush and shear points. Serious injury and even death can occur if treatment tables are not used correctly. Injuries are most likely when lowering the treatment table or if it collapses suddenly.
You must assess and control risks from treatment tables. Controlling risks involves a series of steps. The steps are:
- Identify hazards.
- Assess the risks those hazards create.
- Control risks. Do this by eliminating the risk. If it's not reasonably practicable to eliminate risks, reduce them as far as is reasonably practicable.
- Review and revise risk control methods.
Employers must consult with employees and contractors when considering how to control risks. Consultation continues through every step of the risk management process.
WorkSafe has more information on risk management in sex work.
People who use treatment tables require training in their use. Training should include instruction on:
- transport and set-up, where necessary
- safe use of the appliance
- load limits
- safety features
- cleaning
Check around and under treatment tables before adjusting them. Also consider how a client’s size and weight may affect the table's stability.
Ensure the treatment table is secure and sits level on the floor. Keep any wheels locked at all times, except when transporting the table. Avoid unnecessary movement of the treatment table. Tables can be heavy and awkward to carry. Select tables that have inbuilt wheels, or use a suitable luggage carrier with wheels when transporting.
Ensure moving parts of treatment tables cannot be accidentally accessed by any person or any part of a person. Ensure locks and adjustment devices cannot be accidentally released.
Ensure regular inspection and maintenance of treatment tables. Check for loose screws, hinges and latches and signs of metal fatigue. Listen for creaks and squeaks. Ensure a qualified person maintains and repairs treatment tables.
Ventilation, air quality and air conditioning
Sex work premises need appropriate ventilation to maintain good air quality. Australian Standards can help ensure you have good air quality in your premises. See AS 1668.2 2012 The Use of Ventilation and Airconditioning in Buildings, Part 2: Mechanical Ventilation in Buildings.
AS 1668.2 recommends workplaces should have an average ventilation rate greater than 10 litres of fresh air per second per person. Ventilation systems should ensure 4 to 6 air changes throughout the workplace each hour.
There are different types of ventilation for workplaces inside buildings. They include:
- natural ventilation, such as doors and windows
- mechanical ventilation, such as fans or extraction units and air conditioning
- augmented ventilation, such as air purifiers
Natural ventilation
Natural ventilation forces air movement through and around an occupied space. By opening windows and leaving hallway and corridor doors open, you allow fresh air into a room. The fresh air helps dilute indoor air. It also helps remove particles suspended in the air.
Mechanical ventilation
Mechanical ventilation replaces or dilutes indoor air with air from outside. Examples include heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems or air conditioning units. They filter air to maintain air quality.
There are steps you can take to improve the effectiveness of mechanical ventilation:
- Maximise the amount of outside air entering a space. You can do this by disabling control systems that vary the amount of fresh air.
- Change the settings to increase the amount of outdoor air recirculating in a space.
- Install higher-grade air filters in the air-handling unit.
Mechanical ventilation or air conditioning has to meet set standards. It has to comply with Australian Standard AS 1668.2.
Augmented ventilation
Augmented ventilation uses portable air filtration units to improve air quality. The units catch airborne particles in a filter. They reduce the concentration of particles in the air. They also help increase the delivery of clean air.
The State Government has detailed guidance on ventilation in the workplace. The guidance includes self-assessment guides for different workplaces.
Heating and cooling
Uncontrolled workplace temperatures can be a risk to employees' health and safety. Workplaces that are too hot or too cold can contribute to:
- reduced productivity
- fatigue
- musculoskeletal disorders, also known as MSDs
- illness
- other medical conditions
The risks to employees' health increase as conditions move away from those accepted as comfortable.
Thermal comfort describes somebody's view of whether they feel too hot or too cold. A person may feel too hot or too cold in a workplace. However, the conditions may not be extreme enough for the person to suffer illness or injury.
Environmental and personal factors affect an individual’s feeling of thermal comfort. Such factors include humidity, air temperature, air movement, clothing and physical activity.
As an employer, you should maintain a comfortable workplace environment for employees. Consult with employees and any HSRs to work out the most comfortable temperature.
Maintaining a comfortable temperature for employees will depend on different factors. They include the environment and level of activity. Consider the following:
- air conditioning
- fans
- electric heating
- open windows
- building insulation
- the layout of work areas, for example, someone working directly under air conditioning or heating vents may be uncomfortable
- direct sunlight control
- controlling air flow and the source of draughts
- level of work-related activity
- clothing
- work and rest routines
Ensure regular servicing of all heating and cooling facilities. Maintain equipment in line with the relevant legislation.
WorkSafe has more guidance about heating, cooling, ventilation, air quality and air conditioning. See the compliance code Workplace Facilities and the Working Environment.
Lighting
As an employer, you have to provide lighting appropriate to the nature of your employees' work. Lighting can be from natural or artificial sources.
The lighting in your workplace has to allow employees and others to move about easily. It has to allow employees to work effectively, without adopting awkward postures or straining their eyes.
Workrooms may require low lighting for effect but other areas need good lighting. Areas that need to be well lit include stairs, passages, entrances, exits and common areas. An Australian-New Zealand Standard explains the illuminance required for different work. See AS/NZS 1680.1 Interior and Workplace Lighting, Part 1: General Principles and Recommendations. WorkSafe also has guidance about lighting and lighting standards. It is in the compliance code Workplace Facilities and the Working Environment.
Examination lamps
Each work area should have a flexible 100-watt lamp. The lamp helps sex workers examine clients for signs of sexually transmitted infections, or STIs. For outcalls, consider providing employees with a torch. If lighting is unsatisfactory, sex workers can use the torch to examine clients.
Factors to consider when providing lighting include:
- the nature of the work
- the nature of hazards and risks in the workplace
- the working environment
- illumination level, including natural and artificial light
- changes in natural light over the day
- glare
- contrast
- reflections
Workplaces that are buildings have to comply with National Construction Code lighting specifications.
Dining facilities and rest areas
You should have a separate dining room if 10 or more employees usually eat at the workplace at one time, where it is reasonably practicable to do so.
Ensure the dining room is:
- hygienic and protected from weather
- separate from any work process
- kept within a safe temperature range for safe food handling, hygiene and comfort
Ensure dining facilities are easy to use and that food can be prepared and eaten in hygienic conditions. You should provide the following facilities in the dining area, where it is reasonably practicable to do so:
- Dining utensils, dining table and chairs.
- Refrigeration and food-warming facilities. Ensure the refrigerator is big enough to store perishable foods.
- Facilities for washing utensils. For example, a sink with hot and cold water and draining board, detergent and dishwashing equipment.
- Clean drinking water and equipment for employees to boil water. Where possible, ensure the water supply is separate from basins used to wash hands.
- Vermin-proof and dust-proof storage for all food and utensils.
- Fly-proof and vermin-proof rubbish bins or containers. Ensure they are emptied at least daily.
If employees rest at the workplace between jobs, you should provide them with a rest room. The room should be separate from the workplace. It should have adequate facilities and should be in a sound and clean condition.
See the compliance code Workplace Facilities and the Working Environment for more guidance.
Remote work
Some employees may need to work away from the employer’s primary workplace, such as with escort work.
In this case, you may have to consider employees having access to clients' facilities, such as toilets.
Provide employees with information about public or clients’ facilities. Ensure the information includes clear directions.
Employees working in regional and remote areas might use employer-provided accommodation. Consider hazards associated with the use of separate accommodation. Also, consider how best to control associated risks. Facilities should meet the following standards:
- The accommodation is lockable, with safe entry and exit.
- Fire safety arrangements are in place.
- Electrical safety standards are followed.
- Drinking water is provided.
- There are adequate toilets for employees.
- There are adequate washing, bathing and laundry facilities for employees.
- Procedures are in place to ensure cleanliness.
- Suitable sleeping accommodation is provided. Ensure noise is reduced as far as reasonably practicable.
- Crockery, utensils and dining facilities are available.
- Rubbish is collected.
- Heating, cooling and ventilation meet the standard of workplaces.
- Adequate lighting is available.
- There are storage cupboards and other appropriate furniture.
- A refrigerator is provided.
- The accommodation meets all relevant structural and stability requirements.
- The fittings, appliances and any other equipment supplied are maintained in good repair.
Safety features
Alarms
Duress alarms provide a way for employees to raise an alarm when they need immediate help. Employees can use duress alarms whenever there is a risk to their safety. You should provide duress alarms that employees can easily access and use in an emergency. You should also ensure there is a procedure for using and responding to alarms. Train employees in the procedure. Regularly test duress alarms and alarm responses, at least every 12 months.
Fire protection procedure
Your workplace should have a fire protection procedure. The procedure may range from a simple evacuation plan to a detailed response process.
Every employee should be aware of the hazards that may contribute to a fire. Ensure all employees are aware of and understand emergency evacuation procedures.
Ensure employees regularly practise an emergency exit from the workplace. Australian Standards recommend an emergency evacuation drill at least once every 12 months. See AS 3745-2010 Planning for Emergencies in Facilities.
Gas and electrical safety
It is illegal for unlicensed and unqualified people to do gasfitting or electrical work. You must engage qualified and licensed electrical workers and gasfitters to work on your premises. See the Energy Safe Victoria website for information about gas and electrical safety.
WorkSafe Advisory Service
WorkSafe's advisory service is available between 7:30am and 6:30pm Monday to Friday. If you need more support, you can also contact WorkSafe using the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) or the National Relay Service.