Public administration and safety

Everything for the public administration industry in one place.

Your obligations and duties to create a safe work environment.

Consultation between employers, workers and HSRs is essential.

Understand how to become an HSR, the powers of an HSR and an employer's obligations to HSRs.

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Find useful information and services to help your workplace in your industry.

Local government

Hazards

Hazard 1
Chemicals handling
Obtain material safety data sheets (MSDS) for all dangerous goods and hazardous chemicals at your workplace, and ensure employees and contractors have access to them.

Treat all chemicals as potentially dangerous to health, unless material safety data sheet (MSDS) or label states otherwise.

Eliminate hazardous chemicals or use safer substitutes (for example, non-bleach based cleaner).
Hazard 2
Electrical
Provide electrical safety protection. For example, ensure home care workers have a portable residual current device.
Hazard 3
Lifting
Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment. For example:

trailers to carry plant trays or to relocate mowers,

height-adjustable trolleys for shifting goods in and out of vehicles,

mechanical aids such as mechanical wheelie bin lifters to empty bins into skips or waste vehicles.

Train employees and contractors in the selection and use of any mechanical aids and equipment.

Ensure mechanical aids and equipment are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

Develop policies to reduce lifting risks. For example, a “no-lift” policy to ensure that manually lifting people is eliminated except in life-threatening situations.

Ensure employees and contractors are not exposed to repetitive work for long periods. For example:

use job rotation

work variation

provide sit-stand stools and anti-fatigue mats.

Ensure employees and contractors are not exposed to work that requires a significant amount of high force for long periods.
Hazard 4
Motor vehicles
Ensure work vehicles are roadworthy and fit for purpose (for example, they are client-accessible, safe for loading and unloading goods).

Ensure drivers are licensed and properly trained for the vehicles they drive.
Hazard 5
Psychosocial
Psychosocial hazards are factors in the design or management of work that increase the risk of psychological or physical harm. Examples include:

work-related violence

work-related fatigue

workplace bullying

work-related gendered violence including sexual harassment

violent or traumatic events

remote and isolated work

high and low job demands

low job control

poor support.

Ensure systems are in place to identify, assess and control risks to psychological health in consultation with employees, contractors and any HSRs. Systems should include processes for regularly reviewing and revising risk control measures to ensure effectiveness.

Consider the design and management of work. For example:

Are employee and contractor tasks appropriate for skill level and experience?

Do employees and contractors have adequate training, resources and support?

Is workload allocated to ensure it is reasonable and appropriate to skillset?

Do employees and contractors have clear roles and reporting lines?

Ensure systems are in place for employees and contractors to report psychosocial hazards and risks. Employees and contractors should be confident their concerns will be addressed in a fair and timely manner.

Provide employees and contractors with adequate support. For example, supervisory support, peer support and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
Hazard 6
Repetitive work and awkward postures
Provide appropriate mechanical aids and equipment. For example:

rotary hoe in place of spade work

angled brushes for cleaning

height-adjustable equipment) and

Ensure mechanical aids and equipment are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

Provide appropriate workstations (this includes home offices or off-site work areas. For example:

height-adjustable chairs

computers with height-adjustable monitors

adequate lighting

desk and foot space

mouse pad area

docking station for laptops.

Train employees and contractors in the selection and use of any mechanical aids and equipment, and safe handling methods.

Ensure employees and contractors are not exposed to repetitive work for long periods. For example:

use job rotation

work variation

provide sit-stand stools and anti-fatigue mats.

Ensure employees and contractors are not exposed to work that requires a significant amount of high force for long periods.

Provide sufficient people for the work.

Provide regular breaks.
Hazard 7
Slips trips and falls
Ensure floor or ground surfaces in work areas, car parks and entrances are clean, well lit, clear of obstacles and in good condition. Ensure outside surfaces are non-slip (for example around swimming pools).

Clean up spills immediately and fix the causes of spills.

Develop policies and procedures to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls. For example:

set up warning signs and barriers around spill

clean up immediately

mop last where possible.

Ensure employees and contractors wear appropriate footwear (for example non-slip).

Apply good housekeeping practises. For example:

remove unnecessary items

provide proper storage

ensure things are put away.

'If you are injured at work' poster

Employers must display an 'if you are injured at work' poster in every workplace. You can download and print a poster in English as well as Arabic, Chinese simplified, Chinese traditional, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese.

Download a poster

News and alerts

Thursday 16 April 2026

WorkSafe has charged the Department of Justice and Community Safety following the serious assault of a prison officer at Barwon Prison in February 2022.

Friday 27 February 2026

Inspiring stories of strength, innovation and leadership were the theme of the 2025 WorkSafe Awards last night.

Tuesday 05 August 2025

WorkSafe has charged the Department of Justice and Community Safety after a youth justice worker and several occupants were assaulted during an incident at the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre in October 2023.

Public administration and safety

OHS responsibilities and duties

Consultation

Health and safety representatives (HSRs)

You might also need

Insurance, claims and recovery

Psychological health

Employer obligations

Workplace resources

Understand WorkSafe

Injury hotspots

Local government

Hazards

Chemicals handling

Electrical

Lifting

Motor vehicles

Psychosocial

Repetitive work and awkward postures

Slips trips and falls

'If you are injured at work' poster

Don't cross

the line

News and alerts

Charges after prison officer assault

Victoria’s health and safety heroes honoured

Department charged after Malmsbury assaults

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