Small business compliance audit

ACT WorkCover inspectors will visit hundreds of small businesses across the ACT as part of a major audit of compliance with workplace legislation.

The businesses to be audited will be selected from 687 businesses in 68 small suburban shopping centres visited by ACT WorkCover education staff in March in the lead up to the audit.

"The businesses in these small centres employ a considerable number of people and it is important that occupational health and safety issues are addressed even in the smallest workplaces," ACT WorkCover Commissioner/CEO Erich Janssen said.

Data from previous audits has shown that the smaller the business the lower the level of compliance with workplace laws.

The aim of the audit is to ensure that small businesses are meeting their obligations under the Workers Compansation Act 1951, Occupational Health Safety Act 1989, and Dangerous Substances Act 2004.

"Inspectors will be checking on 12 key elements across the three pieces of legislation. These include checking for valid workers compensation insurance policies, evidence of undertaking risk assessments for manual handling tasks, adequate first aid facilities, and a register and safety data sheets for dangerous substances," Janssen said.

In the preparation for the audit, ACT WorkCover organised educational visits to each of the small business centres in March, distributing information on workplace safety and workers compensation requirements along with the checklist for the audit, and offered businesses the opportunity to attend free information sessions that ran during early April.

"The businesses to be audited have been given every opportunity and assistance to meet their obligations and Inspectors will be taking compliance action in relation to breaches of workplace laws detected during the audits," Janssen said.