10 Key Points For Reducing Your OHS Risk
Every year more and more employees are injured and their employers receive hefty fines for failing to comply with their OHS responsibilities. Don’t let this happen to you or your team. After you’ve viewed our short video, review our 10 Key Points to help you understand what you are required to do.
How many of these have you put in place? If you are lacking in just one of them, you could be exposing your team and your business to risk. Click the link at the bottom for our Free OHS Assessment.
1. Define the OHS structure in your business
Ensure that you have assigned responsibilities to managers and supervisors and advised them that they will be held accountable for safety in the business.
2. Advise All Your Staff
It is important to communicate safety in the workplace through OHS committees and employee elected representatives, tool box meetings etc.
3. Identify, Assess and Control Hazards
Regular workplace safety inspections need to be carried out by managers, supervisors and employee representatives. Once the hazards are identified they should be assessed and safe work procedures should be formulated.
4. Conduct Training
Directors, managers and supervisors require information and training to undertake their OHS responsibilities. A training program including inductions for new or transferring employees and ongoing training for current employees should be implemented.
5. Develop OHS policies and programs
As a minimum, companies should ensure that they have policies for Drugs and Alcohol, Bullying and Harassment, Smoke Free Workplace, Safety Planning and Objectives, Communication and Consultation, Hazards Identification, Risk Assessments, Risk Control, Performance monitoring and Review, and Safety Management.
6. Ensure Document Accessibility
Ensure that all policies procedures inspections and audits are documented and stored in a manner which makes them easily retrievable.
7. Implement Specific Programs
Specific OHS programs such as first aid, machine guarding, manual handling, emergency evacuation, traffic management plans ,confined space entry, chemical safety, etc. are planned and co-ordinated activities that assist the company in achieving its OHS objectives and targets.
8. Display Mandatory Injury Posters
It is a legal requirement to display OHS posters and safety signs in the workplace. Safety signs warn people of hazards, regulate safety behaviour and provide emergency information.
9. Report Injuries
There are legislative requirements for the notification and recording of details for certain accidents and incidents to the local OHS authority.
10. Review and Audit
Ensure that all policies, procedures and practices are implemented consistently and reviewed regularly to ensure they are up to date and relevant.
Is Your Workplace Safe?
