So Far As Reasonably Practicable – what does it mean?
Meeting your RTO legislation requirement has become a bit simpler with the new Worksafe guide that assists with the terms ‘reasonably practicable’. The guide is relevant to all states in Australia, except Victoria. The ‘reasonably practicable’ standard is not a new one in Australian work health and safety law. The standard is intended to be a very high one. This is reflected in one of the objects at section 3(2) of the WHS Act stating that workers and other persons should be given the highest level of protection from hazards and risks arising from work, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Section 18 of the WHS Act sets out the definition of reasonably practicable in relation to a duty to ensure health and safety and the matters to be taken into account in determining
what is reasonably practicable in the circumstances.
The Guide explains each of the elements of this definition and provides practical guidance on how to determine what is reasonably practicable.
This document provides guidance on the standard of health and safety that a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must meet under the Work Health and Safety
(WHS) Act and Regulations. A PCBU must do what is ‘reasonably practicable’ to ensure health and safety. The standard of ‘reasonably practicable’ in health and safety duties only applies to a PCBU.
Other duty holders are required to meet different standards, for example officers must exercise ‘due diligence’ and workers and others at a workplace must take ‘reasonable care’.
For more information and to maintain your RTO compliance go to http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA/about/Publications/Documents/774/Guide-Reasonably-Practicable.pdf