12 ways to make small business safer: A handbook for workplaces

What it contains

This handbook outlines 12 workplace health and safety hazards identified by WorkSafe inspectors when visiting small businesses. Employers can use this handbook as a guide to identify and control hazards in their workplace. Topic covered in the handbook include:

• manual handling
• housekeeping and slips, trips and falls
• storage and racking, including how to avoid storage systems being overloaded
• working at heights
• storing and using chemicals and fuels
• fire safety and evacuation procedures
• first aid and equipment
• electricity
• machinery and equipment
• noise
• asbestos
• protecting young workers and business insurance

At the end of the handbook, there is a safety action plan template to address low, medium and high priority small business hazards.