Employer's obligations
As an employer, you have legal obligations to:
- ensure workplace health and safety
- assist injured workers
- help injured workers return to work
Work through this checklist to better understand your obligations to your employees and to ensure a safe and healthy workplace.
Workplace health and safety
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Provide and maintain safe machinery and equipment, and safe systems of work.
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Maintain the workplace in a safe condition.
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Ensure safe use, handling, storage and transport of chemicals.
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Provide employees with adequate facilities.
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Keep records relevant to your employees’ health and safety.
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Consult with employees on matters that may affect their health and safety.
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Notify WorkSafe Victoria immediately by calling 132 360 of any:
- workplace death
- serious injury where medical treatment is required
- incident that could have caused death or serious injury
- Display the 'If you are Injured' poster, in a place for all employees to see.
Assist injured employees
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Assist your injured employee with appropriate medical treatment.
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Complete the employer section of the Worker’s injury claim form, ensuring you sign and date it.
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Confirm receipt of your Worker’s injury claim form in writing — give your employee the carbon copy.
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Complete the Employer injury claim report.
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Send original documents to your WorkSafe agent within 10 calendar days of receiving the Worker's injury claim form or penalties may apply.
Helping injured workers return to work
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Nominate a Return to Work Coordinator.
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Prepare a return to work plan for any injured worker. (your WorkSafe agent can assist you with this).
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Support your worker and regularly review their return to work plan.
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Provide your worker with suitable employment when they have a capacity for work. This obligation exists for 52 weeks and usually commences on the date the worker is unable to work as a result of injury.
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Establish occupational rehabilitation and risk management programs.
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Contact your WorkSafe agent for advice or assistance on claims or return to work.