Every safe workplace starts with awareness. The moment we recognise and act on hazards, we protect not only compliance and productivity but, more importantly, our people.
Safe Work Australia highlights that identifying hazards is the first step in risk management. Under the model WHS Act, employers (PCBUs) have a duty to spot and address hazards in every workplace environment. This responsibility isn’t just a legal box to tick, it’s about building a culture where workers go home safe – every single day.
When employers identify hazards early, they can:
- Prevent injury and illness before they occur.
- Support a healthier, more confident workforce.
- Build trust with employees by showing that safety is a priority.
- Maintain compliance with WHS laws and reduce costly downtime.
At Labourpower, we believe safety goes 24/7. That means being proactive in hazard identification and ensuring that every person we place is prepared for safe and effective work from day one.
Why Identifying Hazards Matters
Hazards aren’t always obvious. They may be physical (such as slippery floors or faulty equipment), ergonomic (poor manual handling practices), or even psychosocial (including fatigue, bullying and stress). Employers who make hazard identification a daily habit build stronger safety cultures and more resilient teams.
Safe Work Australia provides clear guidance:
- Hazards must be identified before work begins, whenever changes occur, and as part of regular reviews.
- Workers must be consulted, as they often notice risks firsthand.
- Employers must take steps to eliminate risks where possible, or minimise them as far as reasonably practicable.
Reference: Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks
Practical Ways Employers Can Identify Hazards
- Workplace inspections – Walk through regularly, looking beyond the obvious.
- Engage your team – Toolbox talks, feedback loops, and near-miss reporting give real insight.
- Use hazard checklists – Cover physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards.
- Review data – Past incidents and near misses are a goldmine of lessons.
- Monitor change – New equipment, materials, or processes = new hazards to identify.
Labourpower’s Commitment
When you partner with Labourpower, you don’t just get skilled staff; you get people who have already been inducted in safety awareness and assessed for industry-specific risks. Our teams arrive trained, reliable, and ready to contribute to safe, productive operations.
We know that for employers, identifying hazards is about more than compliance. It’s about protecting lives, maintaining trust, and ensuring that every worker feels supported and valued. And for us, it’s personal: every placement is a person with a family to go home to.
This Safe Work Month, take the lead in protecting your workforce by identifying hazards early. Labourpower can help you implement practical hazard awareness strategies while providing a workforce that is safety-ready from day one.
Talk to our team of recruitment specialists today on (02) 8336 6200!
Barry Geaitani
National HSEQ Manager