12 ways to make small business safer: A handbook for workplaces

How to identify and control health and safety hazards in small businesses to make them safer.

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What it contains

This handbook outlines 12 workplace health and safety hazards identified by WorkSafe inspectors when visiting small businesses. Employers can use this handbook as a guide to identify and control hazards in their workplace. Topic covered in the handbook include:

  • manual handling
  • housekeeping and slips, trips and falls
  • storage and racking, including how to avoid storage systems being overloaded
  • working at heights
  • storing and using chemicals and fuels
  • fire safety and evacuation procedures
  • first aid and equipment
  • electricity
  • machinery and equipment
  • noise
  • asbestos
  • protecting young workers and business insurance

At the end of the handbook, there is a safety action plan template to address low, medium and high priority small business hazards.