The obligation
A business or undertaking must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of the workers it engages or whose work it influences or directs.
The primary duty of care covers workers engaged, or caused to be engaged, by the person and workers whose activities in carrying out work are influenced or directed by the person, while they are at work in the business or undertaking. Any person at a workplace must take reasonable care for their own health and safety, take reasonable care that their acts or omissions do not adversely affect others, and comply so far as reasonably able with reasonable instructions from the business.
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- What
- A business or undertaking must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of the workers it engages or whose work it influences or directs.
- Source
- legislation.qld.gov.au
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duty-of-care
PCBU
reasonably-practicable
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Which WHS law does this come from?
Primary duty of care — PCBU obligations is a WHS requirement set out in Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (QLD). The relevant provision is Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) > Part 2 — Health and safety duties > s 19 § 19.
What does this WHS obligation require?
Primary duty of care — PCBU obligations is a WHS obligation under Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (QLD). In short, A business or undertaking must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of the workers it engages or whose work it influences or directs.
What changed recently?
Primary duty of care — PCBU obligations was last updated on 19 October 2026.