SWA fact sheet outlines WHS duties in a contractual chain

Safe Work Australia has published workplace health and safety information for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) and workers who are working as part of a contractual chain. A contractual chain refers to a situation where, in relation to the same project or work matter, there are multiple contractors and subcontractors. A contractual chain is common in industries such as building and construction, road transport and events management.

The fact sheet provides an understanding of what a PCBU is and explains that an individual contractor can be both a PCBU and a worker. Understanding this will help PCBUs within a contractual chain uphold their WHS obligations and consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with all other PCBUs with whom they share a duty. The fact sheet also notes that an individual contractor or a self-employed person can be both a worker who is owed WHS duties and a PCBU who may owe WHS duties to themselves and to other workers.

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