Whether it’s a construction job, a mining expedition or an office-based job, it’s no surprise that everybody wants to work in an environment as safe as it can be. A good organizational health and safety implementation and monitoring system at the workplace is the least an employer can offer to their employees as a payback for their contribution to the business.
In this blog, we’ll show you how to establish an effective workplace organizational health and safety policy, and recommend some useful tools and techniques to make the job easier.
KEY 1:
Risk, Hazard and Incident
In order to map out an appropriate safety plan for the workplace, it is necessary for business owners to understand appropriate terms to describe events around them. Risk is used to note of a chance of doing something that involves the possibility of injury, damage, or harm to the participant.
While Risk refers to a chance of harm being done, Hazard raised the level of danger up a notch and refers to an actual situation (or a thing) that could actually cause harm in terms of injury, damage to property, damage to the environment, or a combination of those. Finally, an Incident indicates a particular event that has the potential for injury, ill health, damage or loss.
A simple explanation: a knife is a hazard which has a relatively high risk of cutting someone. Incident is when someone actually gets cut by that knife.
KEY 2:
Establishing An Effective Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Policy
By understanding the differences between risk, hazard and incident, it is easier for the business owner to correctly identify and assess the level of hazards and risks at their workplace.
After that, a policy system should be made with the aim to eliminate or reduce incidents that could occur from aforementioned causes. First of all, it is essential to identify and record all OH&S incidents that happen at the workplace, whether these cause injury or damage.
Next, conduct a thorough investigation on these events to find out their root cause and take immediate action to minimize any harm. Finally, solutions and preventive methods for these particular problems will be noted down for future use.
The OH&S policy demands constant assessment and evaluation to maximize its effectiveness. The policy should be relevant to the current situation of the business and the current legislative requirements.
It also needs to show its competency in managing and solving problems completely and effectively. The objectives and targets of an OH&S policy should always revolve around the needs and goals of the business’ staff, and its systems and processes should be built into day-to-day running of the business.
KEY 3:
Useful Tools and Techniques
To ensure a continuous feedback stream on OH&S policy from employees to improve its effectiveness, there are some techniques and tools that a business owner can consider to incorporate into their business:
- Surveys
- Interviews
- Checklists
- Regular OH&S meeting
- OH&S training
It’s better late than never. If you haven’t got an OH&S policy for your business, it’s time to establish one to ensure the safety of yourself and your valuable staffs.
If you are an Entrepreneur or a Business Owner that need extra assistance or have any questions regarding developing an effective OH&S policy that fit with legislative requirements, contact Maverick Mentoring for Business for a free one-on-one consultation.
It would be our pleasure to help you to achieve your goals and be successful.
