Understanding Leadership Duties in Workplace Health and Safety
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WA), legal responsibility for workplace safety doesn’t rest solely with the business entity or employer. Individuals in senior leadership positions also have defined duties. These people are referred to as Officers, and their obligations under the law are separate from — and in addition to — those of the PCBU.
If you are a senior leader or decision-maker in your organisation, it’s essential to understand what it means to be an Officer under the WHS Act and what your responsibilities involve.
Who is Considered an Officer?
An Officer is someone who makes, or helps make, decisions that affect the whole or a significant part of the business or undertaking. This includes people in positions of authority who influence resource allocation, business strategy, and safety systems.
Examples of Officers include:
- Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)
- Managing Directors
- General Managers
- Board members
- Senior executives
- Decision-makers in government departments or not-for-profits
Importantly, an Officer is not defined by job title alone — it is based on the level of influence and decision-making responsibility a person holds within the organisation. Supervisors and frontline managers are typically not considered Officers unless they are involved in strategic decision-making at the organisational level.
Legal Duties of Officers (Section 27)
Officers have a personal legal duty to exercise what the Act calls due diligence to ensure that the PCBU is meeting its health and safety obligations. This duty is proactive — Officers must take steps to prevent breaches of WHS duties before they occur.
Due diligence requires an Officer to:
- Keep up to date with WHS matters
- Understand the nature of the operations and the hazards and risks associated with them
- Ensure the business has appropriate resources and systems to manage health and safety
- Ensure that the business implements and maintains those systems
- Monitor the business’s compliance with its duties
- Verify that appropriate processes are in place for receiving and responding to incidents, hazards, and risks
Officers cannot delegate this duty or claim they were unaware of their obligations. They are expected to lead by example, take an active role in WHS governance, and maintain accountability for how risks are managed across the organisation.
Why Officer Responsibilities Matter
WHS enforcement authorities in WA can take action against Officers who fail to meet their duties — even if no incident has occurred. This means that being unaware, uninvolved, or passive is not an acceptable approach. Officers are expected to provide visible leadership and maintain effective oversight of all WHS systems within their control.
By understanding and fulfilling their due diligence duties, Officers play a key role in:
- Preventing workplace incidents
- Protecting workers and the public
- Ensuring legal compliance
- Strengthening organisational culture and resilience
Support for WHS Officers in Western Australia
At Safety Solutions WA, we help company directors, board members, executives, and senior leaders across Western Australia understand and meet their obligations under the WHS Act 2020.
Whether you need a due diligence audit, WHS leadership training, or support with governance processes, our team can assist. We provide practical, legally informed guidance tailored to your role and industry.
Want to know more? See our blog on ‘What is a PCBU?’ here.
Contact us today to discuss your responsibilities as an Officer and how we can help you lead with confidence in safety.
