Power tools are a common part of maintenance and construction work. However, when used on common property, they can create risks that affect everyone. Residents, workers, and visitors may be exposed to hazards if safety is not properly managed.
If you are involved in managing common property, you have a responsibility to support safe work practices. This includes engaging qualified contractors, supporting safe systems of work, and effectively identifying and controlling risks.
This guide is designed to help you understand your responsibilities under Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws. It outlines practical steps to reduce liability and promote a safety culture that protects everyone on-site. When safety is taken seriously, people think safe, work safe, and go home safely.
When work takes place on common property, especially when power tools are involved, safety is more than a best practice. It is a legal requirement. WHS obligations apply to owners’ corporations and bodies corporate that engage workers such as cleaners, contractors, tradespeople, and building managers.
In these situations, you may be considered either a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) or a person with management and control of a workplace (PMCW). Workers and other persons at the workplace also have duties under the WHS Act, including taking reasonable care of their own health and safety.
If you are acting as a PCBU, you have responsibilities under WHS laws to help create safe conditions for workers and others while work is being carried out. This may involve consulting with workers about safety matters and working collaboratively with contractors and suppliers to reduce confusion or gaps in responsibility.
Even if you are not the one operating the power tools, you still play a role in supporting safe work practices. This includes checking that contractors are suitably qualified and following safe work practices, assisting with the identification and management of risks, and coordinating with all parties involved to clarify roles and responsibilities.
Any attempts to contractually alter this responsibility would not be valid. However, duty holders can cooperate and coordinate to avoid duplicated efforts and meet all obligations.
For instance, a worker could also be an officer or an independent contractor (a PCBU).
In this case, each person must meet their duty to the required standard, retain responsibility, and consult, coordinate, and cooperate with other duty holders. For example, a contractor using a power tool, you managing the property, and a supplier providing the equipment all have responsibilities.
It is the duty holder's responsibility to manage risks by eliminating them as far as reasonably possible or, if not feasible, to minimise the risks. The term 'reasonably practicable' refers to doing everything within one's power to ensure safety within the workplace or common property.
| State | Legislation |
| NSW | Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 – Chapter 8 |
| QLD | Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) – Chapter 8 |
| VIC | Occupational Health And Safety Regulations 2017 (Part 4.4) |
WHS duties generally apply to owners corporations or bodies corporate when contractors are engaged to work on common property. However, exemptions may apply in some states, for example, where the property is used solely for residential purposes and no workers are directly employed. If you’re unsure, check with your state WHS regulator.
Fulfilling these WHS obligations regarding health and safety on common property is especially important if your owners corporation or body corporate is classified as a person conducting business or undertaking (PCBU).
If the owners corporation or body corporate does not have reasonable control measures to prevent foreseeable harm, the risk of injury, property damage, and legal liability increases significantly.
When power tools are used on common property, there are legal responsibilities that must be understood and managed. These requirements help promote safety, prevent disruption, and reduce liability. While the specifics may vary slightly between states and territories, the principles are consistent across Australia.
Power tools used in Australia must meet national safety standards. This includes:
Tools should be tagged, tested, and maintained in accordance with relevant WHS regulations and manufacturer guidelines.
While not all standards are mandatory, many are referenced in WHS laws and Codes of Practice. Following them is considered best practice and may be used as evidence of compliance in the event of an incident.
If you supply or manage power tools on common property, you may have obligations under WHS laws.
As someone managing common property, you are expected to help support safe and compliant use of tools on-site. This may include confirming that contractors follow WHS procedures and taking reasonable steps to reduce the risk of harm to workers and residents. It is also important to be familiar with local noise rules and communicate them clearly to those working on-site. These responsibilities contribute to your broader role in promoting a safe and respectful environment for everyone involved.
Even if your owners corporation or body corporate is exempt from certain WHS duties, such as when workers are not directly employed, you may still have obligations under strata laws, negligence law, and a general duty of care.
Legal compliance is not only about avoiding penalties. It is about supporting work on common property that is safe, respectful, and professionally managed. By understanding these requirements and applying them consistently, you help protect your community and contribute to a safer shared environment.
Electric shocks can occur due to:
These risks are especially dangerous in communal areas where residents or workers may be exposed.
Minimum safety requirements include:
Alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers, and emergency lighting that fail to operate as intended pose serious risks during emergencies.
Blocked corridors and exits can delay evacuation and increase danger during a fire.
Fire doors that don’t self-close or are deteriorated compromise compartmentalisation and fire containment.
Outdated materials, including combustible cladding, can accelerate fire spread and increase structural risk.
Residents and staff unfamiliar with evacuation procedures may respond poorly in emergencies, increasing risk.
Storing flammable materials in common areas creates unnecessary fire hazards and violates safety regulations.
This guide offers practical guidance on managing electrical risks in line with the model Work Health and Safety Regulations.
This guide offers guidance on managing risks of plant in the workplace in line with the model Work Health and Safety Regulations.
Prolonged or high-volume tool use can damage hearing, trigger complaints from residents or breach local council noise regulations. To prevent this restrict tool use to approved hours, use quieter equipment where possible, workers should use hearing protection.
This guide provides guidance on how to meet the standards of work health and safety (WHS) required under the WHS Act and Regulations in relation to construction work.
Professional service providers can provide regular attention to monitor the area and raise any major hazards that need further attention.
Regular monthly inspections to evaluate the property’s general condition can help uncover any hazards or risks to common property.
Enforcing and reviewing regular maintenance can also help uncover any hidden hazards that may risk the health and safety of residents, visitors, and workers on your common property.
Anyone can encounter hazards on common property. Keeping all residents informed and educated on the proper channels for reporting potential risks and issues on common property is essential.
Once hazards are identified, the next step is to evaluate and prioritise the situation based on the severity and likelihood of the risks. Power tools are a staple in maintenance and construction, but they’re also one of the most common sources of injury on worksites. For experienced tradespeople, using them can feel second nature, and that’s precisely when things can go wrong. You don’t need to be an expert in every tool. But you do need to know what safe work looks like, so you can recognise it, support it, and speak up when something doesn’t seem right.
A moment’s distraction, a worn-out blade, or a lack of training can turn routine work into a serious incident. Safe work practices aren’t just the responsibility of the person holding the tool; they’re shared. Your awareness plays a key role in maintaining the safety of common property.
Using the risk assessment matrix in your Community Health & Safety guide will help identify the likelihood of an incident that may cause harm. Then, the possible severity level will be selected based on the consequences that could result from the risk or hazard. The result from this table will generate a risk score, which may help indicate how soon the hazard needs to be addressed. Please refer to the risk matrix sheet below for more detailed information on prioritising and action incidents.
With a general understanding of the hazard, owners corporations and body corporates should seek licensed electrical service providers for a more detailed risk assessment.
Knowing who might be impacted by power tool hazards and risks is key. This could be residents, tenants, visitors, or maintenance workers. Knowing this helps us plan to prevent more people from being exposed and deal with possible risks.
Power tools can present electrical, mechanical, and operational hazards. Damaged cords, faulty switches, or missing safety guards are common issues. Always inspect tools before use and seek assistance from a qualified professional if you suspect an electrical risk.
Defective or poorly maintained tools can cause electric shocks, fires, or physical injuries such as cuts and punctures. Risks are higher in shared spaces or areas frequently accessed by residents and workers, making proactive checks essential.
Many hazards have well-known and accepted control measures that can be immediately actioned. If this cannot be done, the following section can help you determine what methods can be used to manage the risk.
Keep everyone informed on what to do when reporting risks and hazards on common property. Download our Community Health & Safety notice poster below, ask your strata, owners corporation, or body corporate manager for a copy to display on your noticeboard, or share it with a resident today.
Alongside other safety measures, giving workers the proper safety equipment or PPE can add an extra layer of protection against hazards.
Administrative and PPE measures should support, not replace, other control measures.
While they depend on human behaviour and supervision, these methods are less effective in reducing risks when used in isolation. Therefore, these controls should be utilised when other strategies aren’t practical or as stop-gap measures while implementing more efficient control methods.
Here are the key behaviours and checks you should expect from anyone using power tools on-site:
No one should be using a power tool unless they’ve been trained to do so. That includes knowing how the tool works, how to use it safely, and what to do if something goes wrong.
What you can do:
This guide provides assistance for persons who have duties to manage risks to health and safety under the WHS Act and Regulations applying in a jurisdiction.
Supporting safe power tool use on common property is not just about meeting compliance requirements. It is about fostering a culture where safety is part of everyday practice. A proactive approach to WHS helps reduce risk, demonstrates leadership, and contributes to a safer environment where everyone can return home safely.
Each state may have its own legislation and regulations concerning health and safety duties in owners’ corporations and bodies corporate. Navigating these requirements can be complex, but national resources are available. Safe Work Australia provides tools and guidance to help committees manage hazards and risks. For the latest updates and recommendations, visit safeworkaustralia.gov.au.
Proactive WHS management is important, and waiting for something to go wrong is not a strategy. Taking early action through planning, communication, and oversight helps prevent incidents from occurring. Safety is a shared responsibility. Whether it is a contractor using a drill or a resident walking past a work zone, everyone has a role to play. Your awareness and involvement help set the tone for safe behaviour across the property.
You do not have to manage safety alone. Our Community Health and Safety service is here to support schemes with practical mechanisms to meet regulatory obligations and manage risks effectively. Through our resource library, online reporting system and centralised repository, we aim to help you stay informed, engaged and confident in your role.
Whether you would like to report a current hazard or flag a near-miss incident, please use this report form to help manage health and safety risks on your common property.
Get an updated committee report of hazards, incidents, and work orders to help track and manage risks on common property.
Contact your strata, body corporate, or owners corporation manager for an up-to-date copy today.
Get an annual site inspection walkthrough of your common property to help spot new hazards and risks that arise over time. Contact your strata, body corporate, or owners corporation manager to organise an annual safety report for your property at a fee.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. This guide is created by PICA Services Pty Ltd ABN 70 651 941 114 (PICA Group). Community Health & Safety is a part of the PICA Group. Usage of Community Health & Safety services may be subject to charges. We advise you to fully understand the terms of service or agency agreement and any potential fees associated before utilising this service. While PICA Group has taken every reasonable care in compiling the information in this flyer, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Links to third-party websites are provided for convenience only. PICA Group does not endorse or accept any responsibility for these websites’ content, use, or availability. PICA Group accepts no liability for any loss or damage caused by the use of or reliance on the information contained in this flyer or any links or third-party websites.
This guide has been adapted and derived from Safe Work Australia materials in July 2025 under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0), as listed below. To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. (SafeWork Australia). © Commonwealth of Australia.
