The Queensland Government and WorkCover Queensland have released a Labour Hire micro-site providing advice and services to organisations involved in or utilising Labour Hire companies. In support of this initiative, Donesafe offers the following practical information.
Labour hire workers are those directly employed by a company which on-hires them to perform work for a different organisation. Labour hire workers are most commonly under the direction of the host organisation engaging the labour hire provider and as such are under that organisations duty of care.
Statistically, Labour hire workers are disproportionately injured at work which can be unsurprising due to the level of confusion that can be found within organisations as to who is responsible for the labour hire workers health and safety.
Under harmonised legislation, the Host Person Conducting the Business or Undertaking (PCBU) who engages the Labour Hire provider for workers is responsible for worker safety. Furthermore both the Labour Hire PCBU and the Host PCBU have duties to consult and cooperate on health and safety so far as reasonably practicable.
Organisations can do a number of things to assist in keeping Labour Hire workers safe and also protecting their businesses, these include:
For more information on harmonised safety laws and Labour Hire, refer to the Safe Work Australia Fact Sheet.
Also, make sure to visit the WorkCover Queensland Labour Hire Micro-site.
As always, stay safe,
Team Donesafe.