Jiu-jitsu at the office? Australian OH&amp;S
<p>Was wondering about the legalities about setting up a few mats at the office to train a martial art during lunch breaks in Australia (NSW).  Is it even possible?  Would we have to get staff to sign some kind of waver?</p>

<h2>There is no problem with WHS law</h2>
<p>Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (<a href="https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/about-us/glossary/glossary-acordion/pcbu" rel="nofollow noreferrer">PCBU</a>) can run sports. You would need to do all the normal things that PCBUs have to do: risk assessment, procedures, consultation, emergency response, first-aid facilities etc. to cover the activity but you’re running a business so that would just be an extension of what you already do.</p>
<p>If this is an employee only operation then you would need to decide if you are a PCBU and, if you are, WHS law applies. For example, a ju-jitsu club is a PCBU, a bunch of mates mucking around, isn’t. Of course, the risk is that you decide you aren’t, someone gets hurt or killed, the regulator decides you are and you get fined or jailed.</p>
<h2>There is a risk that people injured would be eligible for Workers Compensation under the employer’s policy</h2>
<p>If the Ju-Jitsu is “in the course of employment” then Workers Compensation will normally apply.</p>
<p>This is assessed on a case by case basis but if you are on the employer’s premises or it is an employer endorsed activity, it normally would be. Injuries suffered on a work break are normally covered unless you have, in some sense, “left” the employment. For example, if you went to a completely independent dojo or gym on another premises run by a different organisation, you probably aren’t covered by workers comp. If you get hit by a car crossing the road to buy a sandwich, workers comp probably applies.</p>

australia