Running Your Business From a Commercial Property? Don't Overlook Your WHS Obligations
Just this week we were chatting to a couple of businesses in Burleigh that had an ad hoc visit from Work Health and Safety Officers. They were not phased as they were doing the right thing, they were given a few tips on how to improve a couple of things.
So we thought now is a good time to remind business owners if you lease or own a commercial property in Queensland and run a business from it, workplace health and safety isn't optional. It's the law, and it's actively enforced.
Work Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) regularly carries out spot checks on businesses across the state. These checks aren't limited to construction sites or high-risk industries. Offices, retail spaces, warehouses and showrooms can all be visited, often without notice. If your business operates from a property, it pays to know exactly where you stand before an inspector walks through the door.
What the Law Actually Requires
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), every person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) has a primary duty of care. In plain terms, that means you must ensure the health and safety of your workers, and of anyone else who might be affected by your business, so far as is reasonably practicable.
This duty extends beyond your own staff. It covers contractors, visitors and customers who set foot on your premises. It applies whether you own the building, lease it, or simply run your day-to-day operations out of it.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
Recent updates to WHS codes of practice have focused on clearer guidance rather than new red tape, but that doesn't mean the bar has dropped. Inspectors are still assessing whether businesses have genuinely thought through their risks, not just whether a policy document exists in a drawer somewhere.
For businesses operating from commercial premises, common areas of focus during a spot check tend to include:
General building and workplace facilities being fit for purpose.
Clear emergency procedures that staff actually know.
Appropriate first aid provisions on site.
Hazard identification and risk management processes that are current, not just filed away.
Evidence that staff have been trained and consulted on safety matters
A Timely Reminder, Not Legal Advice
We are not workplace safety consultants, and this isn't legal advice. It is was a good time to remind our clients and network that compliance is an ongoing responsibility, not a box you tick once when you sign a lease.
If you're unsure where your business stands, the right next step is a conversation with a qualified WHS advisor or a visit to the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland website. Getting ahead of a spot check is always better than scrambling to respond to one.
The Takeaway
Running a business from a commercial property comes with more than rent and outgoings to think about. Your obligations under Queensland's WHS laws sit alongside your lease, not separate from it. A few proactive checks now could save a great deal of stress later.