PCBU Responsibilities: A Plain English Guide for Contractors
- Koal
- Sep 18
- 2 min read
What is a PCBU?
A PCBU is a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA), a PCBU has the primary duty of care to ensure the health and safety of workers and others affected by the work. In practical terms, if you run a business, manage a site, or lead a project, you are likely a PCBU.
Why Contractors Need to Understand PCBU Duties
Contractors often work across multiple sites, sometimes under more than one PCBU. Knowing your responsibilities helps you manage risks, stay compliant, and avoid legal trouble. It also builds trust with clients who expect you to meet the same safety standards they follow.
Key Responsibilities
Keep people safe
You must do everything that is reasonably practicable to keep workers and others safe from harm.
Manage risks
Identify hazards, assess the risks, and put controls in place to eliminate or minimise them.
Provide safe work conditions
Ensure equipment, work areas, and systems are safe to use.
Engage with workers
Talk to your team about health and safety matters, listen to their concerns, and involve them in decision making.
Work together with other PCBUs
If more than one PCBU is involved on site, you must consult, cooperate, and coordinate activities to keep everyone safe.
Train and supervise
Make sure workers have the right training, supervision, and information to do the job safely.
What Happens if You Do Not Meet Your Duties
Failing to meet PCBU responsibilities can lead to enforcement action, fines, or prosecution. More importantly, it increases the risk of serious harm to workers and others.
How Koal Can Help
At Koal, we specialise in turning compliance requirements into clear, practical systems you can actually use. Our services include:
Tailored H&S training for team members and field teams
Contractor management systems to track compliance
Risk assessment and SWMS templates that are easy to use
Guidance on meeting PCBU duties under HSWA 2015
We make it simple to understand your obligations and put them into action, so safety becomes part of the way you work every day.
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