Strata and Property Management

WorkSafe ACT has seen an increase in workers’ compensation claims and notifications regarding WHS issues within the Strata and Property Management industry. In response, WorkSafe ACT have conducted a compliance campaign in the industry.

Campaign findings

Inspectors conducted 24 workplace visits across the sector and issued 54 improvement notices on a range of matters including:

  • testing and inspection of electrical items within the workplace
  • emergency Evacuation Procedures applicable to the workplace
  • first aid measures within the workplace
  • fire extinguishers within the workplace
  • the provisions of Information, training and instruction to workers on matters that affect their health and safety, and
  • managing risks to health and safety in relation to remote and isolated work

Inspectors also identified recurring gaps in safety systems, most commonly where businesses relied on reactive rather than proactive WHS practices. Other issues included poorly documented induction processes, inconsistent internal safety measures for managing the work environment, and a limited understanding of risk management requirements for remote or isolated workers.

Recommendations 

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must eliminate risks to health and safety, or if that is not reasonably practicable, minimise those risks so far as is reasonably practicable.

The WHS Regulations set out specific requirements for managing risks associated with the work environment, including electrical safety, emergency planning, the provision of information, training and instruction, and risks related to remote or isolated work. PCBUs should refer to the How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice when applying the risk management process.

When managing risks related to this sector PCBUs must consider whether:

  • a workplace includes any location where work is carried out for the business or undertaking, including places a worker attends while at work. Note: This includes client homes or external meeting locations. The risks associated with these environments must be identified, assessed and controlled.
  • workers who are, or are likely to be, directly affected by a health and safety matter have been consulted.
  • workers have received task-specific training and instruction that enables them to perform their work safely. Note: Training must address the nature of the work, associated risks and required control measures, and must ensure workers are competent to perform the task. Simply providing a procedure for acknowledgment is not sufficient. Information, training and instruction must be provided in a form that is readily understandable to all workers.

Further information 

For further guidance on managing risks within this sector, use the following links;

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