What can Worksafe do if you fail in your duty of care to work safely?

If an individual fails in their duty of care to work safely, Worksafe has the authority to cancel their license. This action underscores the seriousness of adhering to occupational health and safety regulations. The duty of care is a legal obligation that requires individuals to ensure a safe working environment and to avoid actions that could potentially harm themselves or others.

When this duty is neglected, and particularly if the oversight leads to unsafe conditions or incidents, regulatory bodies like Worksafe can take significant disciplinary actions, including the cancellation of licenses. This serves not only as a penalty for non-compliance but also as a deterrent to ensure that all workers are aware of the critical importance of safety in the workplace. Other options, such as providing extra training or offering a warning letter, may be considered in less severe instances but do not have the same level of immediate consequence as license cancellation, which directly impacts an individual's ability to legally work in their profession.