What does the duty of care entail for all individuals in their dealings with others?

The duty of care refers to the obligation individuals have to act with a certain level of caution and consideration in their interactions with other people. It is fundamentally about the expectation that one will exercise reasonable care to avoid causing harm or injury to others. This standard of "reasonable care" means that individuals should act as a sensible person would under similar circumstances.

For example, in a workplace, this duty might entail ensuring that all safety protocols are followed to prevent accidents, or in a professional context, it could involve providing accurate information and advice to clients to prevent harm from misinformation. Therefore, this responsibility emphasizes the necessity to be mindful of the potential consequences of one’s actions and to take adequate measures to minimize risks to others while engaged in everyday activities or business operations.

The focus on exercising reasonable care distinguishes it from simply being about good faith, which is more subjective, or the unrealistic requirement for complete safety, which is impractical. While people should aim to act in good faith and certainly strive to reduce risks, the essence of the duty of care is centered on the reasonable steps that an individual can take to safeguard against foreseeable harm.