• Safety at work is mostly the responsibility of your employer, but you have an important role to play.
• Your employer is responsible for making sure that the workplace is safe and healthy.
• You are responsible for taking reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of your workmates.
• Your workplace may have a health and safety representative (HSR)who can help you to talk to your employer about any problems or worries you have about your health and safety at work.
• The HSR is a worker like you, and they’ll understand how you feel. If they agree there is a real danger they may be able to stop the work until it is fixed.
• Always use any protective clothing or equipment provided to you.
• If you don’t understand how to use a piece of machinery safely, ask someone.
• Your employer cannot sack you if you refuse to work in an environment that is unsafe.
• If you get injured at work, or you notice any safety issues, tell your supervisor or employer immediately.

What you can do

If any issues aren’t resolved after you report them, contact your HSR. There should be a list of HSRs and other workplace safety officers in a place where you can find it easily, such as the staff kitchen.

If there is no HSR, contact the work health and safety authority in your state or territory (e.g. WorkSafe or WorkCover).

If you lose your job while you are sick or injured, or because you refuse to work with unsafe machinery, contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 or chat online with a Live help adviser or further information.