Migrant workers

Understanding the safety and health needs of your workplace - A guide for migrant workers

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In Western Australia, the law requires that a high standard of safety must be provided at your workplace, and that you are not injured or harmed because of your work. Making workplaces safer relies upon the employer and employees working together.

Employers have a responsibility to provide, as far as practicable, a safe workplace. This is called a ‘duty of care’. You, as an employee, also have a duty of care to work safely and not affect the safety and health of others.

The law in Western Australia also requires the employer to consider the individual needs of workers in providing a safe workplace. For example, they need to consider how to convey information about safety to those with a limited knowledge of English, or those with other specific needs.

Participating in safety matters at the workplace

As an employee, there are different ways you can participate in ensuring safety and health at your workplace. You can do this by:

  • talking directly with your employer, supervisor and co-workers about any concerns you may have; 
  • notifying the supervisor or employer of any hazards or injuries, or potential hazards or injuries; 
  • participating in training on any procedures with which you are unfamiliar;  
  • asking questions about any matters you do not understand;  
  • where required, requesting information and training be provided in an appropriate format to suit your needs, for example through the use of an interpreter or translator; and  
  • where there are safety and health representatives or a safety and health committee, raising issues with them.

There is information on the WorkSafe web site on how to do this. WorkSafe is the government agency with powers to enforce workplace safety and health laws and investigate concerns about unsafe workplaces. WorkSafe also has an information centre, which you can ring if you have a concern or require information. The telephone number is 1300 307 877. You can ask that your enquiry remains confidential and that your details are not given to anyone.

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