Work Health and Safety at DHA
As an Australian Government Business Enterprise, DHA is required to adhere to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth). As part of this requirement DHA must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all workers undertaking work on behalf of DHA – and that the work of DHA workers does not affect the WHS of others in the workplace.
DHA Contractors are required to ensure they adhere to the state or territory WHS laws in the locality they are undertaking work but may also owe a duty concurrently with DHA, under Commonwealth WHS laws.
Your responsibility as a DHA contractor
As a contractor to DHA you have certain responsibilities to ensure the provision and maintenance of a workplace that is without risk to the health and safety of workers, other people at the workplace, or those impacted by the work you do (including DHA tenants).
You must ensure the provision and maintenance of:
- a work environment without risk to health and safety
- safe plant and structures
- safe systems of work
- safe use, handling and storage of plant, structures and substances
- adequate facilities for the welfare of workers at work
- information, training, instruction or supervision that is necessary to protect all persons from risks to their health and safety arising from work carried out by the PCBU
- regular monitoring of work place conditions and the health of workers for the purpose of preventing illness or injury.
All DHA contractors must also ensure that:
- all the workers engaged to perform duties on behalf of DHA complete the DHA WHS Online Module
- all WHS incidents or concerns occurring at a DHA site, including DHA properties, offices and construction sites are reported
- all reasonable requests for WHS information from DHA personnel are complied with – including the provision of documents that demonstrate how you manage risks while on the job and evidence that you are meeting your WHS responsibilities
If at any time DHA are concerned you or your workers are not implementing a safe system of work, or the health and safety of workers or others is at risk, DHA may require the job site or activity to be closed.
WHS questions? Email the WHS team at whs@dha.gov.au.