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Visitors to the workplace
Last updated June 2023
This chapter examines the health and safety duties you owe visitors to your workplace and how to meet those duties.
Who is a visitor to a workplace?
Definition: Visitor
A visitor is not defined in the Work Health and Safety Act (WHS Act) but it includes anyone who is not a worker who attends or is in the vicinity of your workplace.
A visitor is not defined in the Work Health and Safety Act (WHS Act) but it includes anyone who is not a worker who attends or is in the vicinity of your workplace.
Definition: Worker
A worker is defined under the WHS Act as person who carries out work in any capacity for a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), including:
- an employee of the PCBU;
- a contractor or subcontractor;
- an employee of the contractor or subcontractor;
- an employee of a labour hire company who has been assigned to work for the PCBU;
- an outworker;
- an apprentice or trainee;
- a person gaining work experience; or
- a volunteer.
A worker is defined under the WHS Act as person who carries out work in any capacity for a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), including:
- an employee of the PCBU;
- a contractor or subcontractor;
- an employee of the contractor or subcontractor;
- an employee of a labour hire company who has been assigned to work for the PCBU;
- an outworker;
- an apprentice or trainee;
- a person gaining work experience; or
- a volunteer.
A visitor will usually include persons in the following categories:
- customers;
- suppliers and other service providers;
- couriers;
- union officials;
- inspectors;
- workers’ family and friends;
- salespersons;
- contractors; and
- neighbours and other members of the public in the vicinity of your workplace.
Important: A visitor may be a regular attendee at your workplace or someone who is only there sporadically, including only a single time.