Occupational health and safety (OHS) encompasses the legal requirements and best practices for keeping workers safe. Employers have fundamental duties to identify hazards, control risks, and maintain safe workplaces. OHS regulations exist in virtually every country.
Employer Duties
Core employer obligations include providing a safe workplace and safe systems of work, identifying and assessing hazards, implementing appropriate controls, providing necessary training and supervision, supplying required safety equipment, and consulting with workers on safety matters.
Risk Assessment
Systematic risk assessment identifies workplace hazards, evaluates the risk they pose, and determines appropriate controls. The hierarchy of controls prioritizes eliminating hazards, then substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and finally personal protective equipment.
Remote Work Considerations
OHS obligations extend to remote workers. Employers should assess home workspace setup, provide guidance on ergonomics, ensure appropriate equipment, and maintain communication channels for raising safety concerns. The extent of employer obligations for home-based work varies by jurisdiction.