Safe Work Australia on the meaning of ‘reasonably practicable’

The Work Healthy and Safety Act 2011 requires a person conducting a business or undertaking to eliminate or minimise health and safety risks so far as is ‘reasonably practicable’.

This short guide from Safe Work Australia provides practical advice on determining what is ‘reasonably practicable’ for your organisation. It depends on 5 factors:

• the likelihood of the hazard or risk occurring
• how much harm will result from the hazard or risk
• what you know, or ought reasonably to know, about the hazard or risk and how to eliminate or minimise it
• the availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or minimise the risk
• the cost and whether it is grossly disproportionate to the risk.

What is ‘reasonably practicable’ will be different for each organisation and situation.