Responsibilities for work health and safety

Employees with disabilities have the same rights as other workers regarding work health and safety. They also have the same responsibilities. Employers may need to make workplace changes to protect their employees.

Health and Safety for employees with disability

It’s important that your employees with disability have the support they need. Some employees may need some adjustments to make sure they’re safe at work

For example, you may need to: 

• change work processes or equipment
• adjust work schedules
• make physical changes to the workplace. For example, put clear markings on steps or pathways, build an access ramp, or improve lighting in some areas.

You must ensure that employees with disability can access safety information in formats that suit them. For example, large font, audio and Braille.

For more on workplace changes and financial help see Guidelines on reasonable adjustments. 

Responsibilities for all employees

You must cover all employee’s workers compensation insurance.  This includes employees with disability. Workers compensation payments support employees with workplace-related injury or illness.

If an employee is injured at work, your organisation must help them return safely. This includes retraining them in all procedures, including safety and evacuation procedures. Find more advice on our Helping staff return to work page.

You should regularly review and promote safe working practices with all employees. 

Workplace health and safety law

State and territory governments set and enforce workplace health and safety laws. To check your state's laws, see Safe Work Australia's list of regulators. state and territory regulators and laws.