Victoria: workplace facilities are a safety issue, including after hours

The Workplace facilities and the working environment compliance code was published on 7 December 2023. It addresses employee welfare facilities and safe workplace conditions under Victoria’s OHS legislation.

Practical checks

Employers should identify the facilities employees actually need, consult affected employees and HSRs, and check whether those facilities remain adequate. Employee and contractor numbers affect the required capacity.

Facilities need to remain hygienic, secure, safe and functional. Cleaning frequency should reflect use, including shift changes. Spills, waste and blockages need prompt attention. Broken plumbing, lighting and air conditioning should be repaired promptly. Monitoring conditions is part of the job, not an optional response after complaints accumulate.

Certain construction workplaces fall under the separate Facilities in construction code.

A corrections example

A staff amenity may exist on the floor plan but be difficult to reach during an overnight shift. A practical review can examine actual access, relief arrangements, cleanliness and reported faults. Ask night-shift staff what differs from daytime conditions, then record who will address each issue. This is an illustrative assessment approach, not a claim about any facility.

Status and source

The code gives deemed compliance only for the duties it covers; it is not the only lawful route to compliance. General education, not individual legal advice.

Read the WorkSafe resource page and complete official PDF, including its facilities checklist.