Now is the time to ensure that Officers’ understand the corporate governance responsibilities regarding the health and wellbeing of employees.
Officers must exercise due diligence to make sure the business meets its duties to protect workers and other persons against harm. Due diligence involves taking reasonable steps to acquire knowledge and keep up to date on relevant WHS matters, including WHS hazards and risks within their business.
A Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) is an individual person in the case of a sole trader or self-employed person. Business owners, CEOs, CFOs, directors, board members, general managers and possibly section managers can be considered ‘Officers’ under the Work Health and Safety Act. An officer is usually considered a senior executive with significant decision-making abilities and financial control, who participates in making decisions that affect the whole, or a substantial part, of the business.
Is your organisation aware of Officer ‘due diligence’ requirements and what is required of this role to remain compliant as per the Work Health & Safety Act?
The ‘due diligence’ obligations recognises that the behaviour and decisions of Officers of a PCBU determine whether the PCBU complies with its work health and safety duties, and strongly influences the health and safety culture of businesses and undertakings.
Officers of a PCBU must take reasonable steps to ensure the PCBU uses and applies appropriate resources, policies, procedures and health and safety practices in the conduct of the business or undertaking.
The South Australian Business Chamber is here to help you unpack your Officer ‘due diligence’ obligations.
e have released a new online course to assist organisations in navigating their requirements. It has never been easier to upskill and remain compliant.
Learn more about the online course for Officers here
