Why is the IRS so Important? The IRS is so important because it recognizes that those who actively participate in a workplace are better at identifying and solving safety concerns than those outside of the business. When safety is taken seriously by individuals and companies it becomes much more personal, meaningful and respected than when it is imposed externally. When the IRS is well-understood and accepted by employees there is a clear link to reduced medical injuries and lost time. This is why it is so important for companies and individuals to know about and apply the IRS.

The Internal Responsibility System is based on the principle that all the parties who can affect the health and safety of persons at the workplace share the responsibility for health and safety. This includes employers, contractors, constructors, employees and self-employed persons at a workplace. It also includes the owner of a workplace, suppliers of goods or providers of occupational health or safety services to a workplace or an architect or professional engineer who provides expertise to the workplace.