Are you aware of your safety obligations at work?

Eight in 10 businesses do not fully understand their workplace safety obligations, according to new research.

In addition, only half are confident that they meet their obligations across all areas of workplace safety.

The Employsure Workplace Safety Index found that small business finds it too complex and time-consuming to keep up with the changes and paperwork required.

During Safe Work Month this October, it is a prime time to address safety across Australian workplaces. The Employsure Workplace Safety Index highlights the top five safety issues facing small business as the complexity of the rules, constant changing of the rules, amount of paperwork, time required for compliance and staff being careless.

“Small business owners want to do the right thing but we hear from them daily that they feel crippled by the complexity of what they are required to do. They are swamped and struggling to keep their head above water,” said Employsure Managing Director Ed Mallet.

Only one in five small businesses feel confident to implement their workplace safety plan, while only 46% have a clear understanding of how to manage and address bullying. Also concerning is that less than 60% know what their responsibilities are, should an employee get injured.

“Our research found that small businesses want to improve their workplace safety, particularly around improved documentation, managing bullying, training staff and responding to an injury. They want to do more, but often don’t know how,” said Mallet.

Small business employers do not know where to go to find help, with over one-third admitting they rely on Google for the answers.

“With about five million Australians employed by small businesses, it’s so important that we get safety right and minimise the complexities and drain that compliance creates to keep workplaces safe. This isn’t just a workplace issue, this is a national issue,” said Mallet.

The Employsure Workplace Safety Index was conducted in August 2017 by Galaxy Research to track Australian small businesses’ understanding and confidence in planning, managing and implementing their workplace health and safety obligations.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/tashatuvango