As an employer, it is your responsibility to provide a safe work environment for all employees, free from any hazards, and complying with the occupational health and safety (OHS) laws in your state or territory.
Health and safety in the workplace is about preventing work-related injury and disease, and designing an environment that promotes well-being for everyone at work.
Knowledge is the key ingredient in providing a safe work environment – if everyone knows the correct procedures then accidents and injuries can be kept to a minimum.
A checklist has been developed to assist you with providing a safe working environment for all employees – Safety checklist 
.
The following four main areas need to be addressed to ensure people remain in good health at work:
This case study shows what one organisation has done to help their mature age workers remain safe and healthy at work:
Work design
The physical and mental workload of employees may have an effect on their health and safety. The way tasks are organised throughout the day, the level of control staff have over these tasks and the support received from management and colleagues can all help to prevent problems.
Consider the following:
- The overall exposure of staff to workplace risk factors is reduced by a decrease in working hours through job-sharing, contracting, or part-time work.
- Offer staff greater control of their work, for example, in determining the pace of work, rest breaks, etc.
- Ensure job variety – try to increase the variety of tasks that staff perform. This will reduce boredom and increase level of concentration, hence reducing injury risks.
- Training – ensure all staff are offered the same training and development opportunities regardless of age.
Read more: Training and development
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Work environment
The second aspect employers need to assess is the work environment. Temperature, lighting, noise, air quality and housekeeping factors can have a physical and mental impact.
Issues in the work environment can often be identified simply by walking through the premises and talking to your employees. Your employees will frequently explain how to eliminate or reduce the risks.
Trips and fall hazards
Eliminate or reduce slip hazards by installing non-slip flooring, or have old floor coated with non-slip material, particularly in wet areas. Develop and implement a spills clean-up procedure. Ensure employees wear non-slip footwear.
Read more: Slips, trips and falls
Accommodating the needs of staff who work in extreme temperatures
Work in hot and cold environments should be planned so that the needs of individual employees are considered, for example, ensuring that appropriate work and rest regimes are adjusted to the physical fitness and general health.
Read more: Working in heat and low temperatures
Providing adequate lighting and reducing glare
Good lighting enables staff to see clearly and perform their work safely.
Read more: Lighting and reducing glare
Reducing noise levels
In addition to the potential for damage to employees hearing, unwanted workplace noise becomes a concern by making it harder for workers to hear safety signals.
Read more: Resources on reducing noise levels
Air quality
In order to protect employees health, air in the workplace must be kept clean, e.g. with regular maintenance of air conditioning systems. If you work with chemicals, then you’ll need to prevent exposure of employees to any hazardous vapours.
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Task design
The aim of task design is to make sure that all components of a task are arranged to reduce the risk of injury by movements such as twisting, reaching, and carrying as well as improving posture.
For example, changing the height and placement of equipment, furniture and objects used in various tasks can make a big difference.
Reduce physical load
Using mechanical devices – for example, conveyors, cranes and hoists, industrial trucks and mobile lifting devices can prevent a range of physical injuries.
Read more: Resources on manual handling
Provide well laid-out workstations
The physical features of the workplace can affect the way your employees work, and can increase the risk of injury.
Read more: Workstations (begins on page 35) 
Ensure controls and printed material are clear
Ensure controls are well lit and have clear contrast. When preparing written material for workers use a style (mix of upper and lower case) and letter sizes (at least 12 point) that are easily read.
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Workplace wellness
Workplace wellness programmes are a powerful, cost-effective and efficient way to maintain a healthier, more motivated workforce. In fact, there is now a growing body of evidence to prove that workplace health has a direct correlation with business efficiency and competitiveness.
A number of organisations have staff that have been involved in the following activities:
- health promotion activities such as healthy life seminars, as well as fitness initiatives such as Pilates, yoga, walking and weight loss programmes;
- access to employee financial assistance for fitness programmes and discount arrangements for staff joining fitness or health clubs;
- in-house gym facilities or table tennis, or an outdoor team sport such as basketball or soccer;
- annual or periodic health assessments (including periodic screening for cholesterol, glaucoma, diabetes and hypertension and annual flu and other vaccinations);
- access to social workers and/or mental health support;
- quit smoking programmes.
It is suggested that staff who wish to undertake physical activities that may cause injury obtain independent medical advice prior to engaging in the activity. It is also suggested that you obtain independent legal advice in relation to your organisation's potential for liability in relation to any activities engaged in by an employee.
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OHS case study
This case study demonstrates how implementing a few simple OHS changes for older workers in your workplace can benefit your entire workforce.
Read more: OHS case study - Zylotech
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