WORKPLACE health solutions provider Konekt has provided seven tips for effectively managing occupational health and safety in the workplace.
According to Konekt Containment National Manager, Nicole Albert, organisations of all sizes cannot afford to ignore occupational health and safety. While OH&S is often seen as a burden on time and money, safety failings can have devastating consequences.
Konekt claims its seven steps can help businesses avoid compensation claims and potential fines, and create a happier, healthier and more productive workforce.
1. Understanding responsibilities
Without clearly written documents it is difficult to hold people accountable for their safety duties and responsibilities.
Owners should research the legal OH&S requirements that apply to the business, and write a health and safety policy to clearly outline their commitment to safety.
The safety policy should be simple, and include intentions, set objectives, and allocate specific responsibilities to managers, supervisors, and workers in the organisation.
The policy should be supported with an action plan aimed at continually improving health and safety in the workplace.
2. Consult workers
It is vital to involve workers in any decisions that may affect their health and safety. Often the people carrying out the work are the best informed on the risks involved and the improvements that could be made to achieve a safer workplace.
Under OH&S legislation, employers are required to have appropriate consultation arrangements in place. Whilst state and territory legislation is subject to variation, forums such as committees, elected representatives and designated workgroups are required.
It is important to regularly consult these groups on all safety matters and keep communication open to ensure effective safety systems can be established.
3. Identify, assess and control risks
It is essential that organisations understand their health and safety risks by having systems in place to identify hazards and assess and control risks. Employees should be reporting hazards, employers should conduct regular workplace inspections, analysing incident data and even using an external auditor to inspect the workplace.
An assessment of those hazards will determine the timeframe and urgency for controlling the risk. The most dangerous risks should be dealt with first. Hazard control measures include substitution, isolation, engineering controls and personal protective equipment.
4. Inform, train and supervise
Employers need to keep workers informed of all risks, changes and procedures.
Training can take the form of manuals, data sheets, written work instructions, safety notice boards and training videos. Training courses such as first aid, health and safety representative training and certification courses for particular industries are also a good idea.
Employers should also ensure there is adequate supervision at all times to ensure workers’ safety. The degree of supervision required will depend on each individual’s job tasks, knowledge and experience.
Employers should evaluate the competency of workers on a regular basis and decide the level required to ensure workers are always operating in a safe manner.
5. Manage incidents and injuries
While OH&S plans aim to avoid accidents from happening, sometimes accidents do occur.
Managing work related incidents and injuries is a legislative requirement and is an important part of minimising loss and disruption.
Employers should plan for emergencies before they arise by implementing an emergency procedure for any sort of emergency situation your business may be exposed to, such as fire. A first aid plan is also an important part of management.
When injuries do happen they need to be investigated and reported immediately. Employers need to identify what went wrong and why, and take action to ensure the same situation is not repeated.
Companies may also need to report serious injuries to the state’s WorkCover Authority and a return to work plan should be implemented to help workers return to the workplace as quickly as possible.
6. Keep records
Employers should document all health and safety activities and keep these records to ensure they are meeting all legal requirements.
Records that should be kept include all documents referring to hazard identification, risk assessment and control processes, maintenance of plant and equipment, a register of accidents and injuries, hazardous substances, training records and personnel records.
It is also essential to have systems in place for collecting health and safety data so that an analysis of trends and progress against key objectives is possible.
7. Monitor, review and improve
After establishing an OHS management system, employers should regularly check and evaluate each step on its effectiveness, making appropriate changes to ensure its continual success. The entire workforce should be kept appraised of any reviews and findings to ensure ongoing engagement.