Make work health and safety part of your business
Make WHS a regular part of running your business. Including WHS in your standard processes can improve normal standard practice for everyone involved in your business.
Business practices
Include WHS when you allocate responsibilities to people in your business and follow up on their progress.Provide resources to manage WHS risks.
Make sure workers have the right equipment and training to carry out their tasks safely.
Allocate time to check that safety related activities such as reviewing procedures and pre-start checks are being done.
Make sure all staff, including supervisors, are sufficiently trained and competent.
Consider WHS at the same time as you are making other business decisions such as buying equipment and engaging sub-contractors.
Include WHS in your induction for new workers.
Leader practices
Discuss safety with your managers or staff as part of a regular performance review.
Review your budget and make sure that money allocated for safety has been spent on safety and the amount is appropriate.
Hold your staff and contractors accountable for safety performance.
Ask staff to explain safety protocols to you and check whether or not they are easy to follow.
Be present for new worker inductions or important team updates relating to safe work practices.
Review your performance
Once you’ve set things in place for good WHS management and culture in your business, you will need to regularly check your systems and activities to make sure your improvements are maintained.
Business practices
Document the WHS risks in your business and review your documents regularly.
Check control measures are implemented and working as planned.
Seek advice as needed from WHS professionals about how best to manage health and safety risks.
Review your reports into safety performance and issues and act on any trends you see emerging.
Include safety in your business planning and make sure you consider safety during times of change for your business
Join your regulator’s or employer association’s safety network or leadership program and learn from others who are facing the same safety issues you are.
Leader practices
Be aware of what is happening on the ground including activities carried out internally or by contractors.
Share relevant WHS data and information with your workers.
Address any health and safety problems when they are identified from your review.
Encourage your workers to report incidents and near misses and learn from these.
Take a personal interest in staying up-to-date on safety issues relevant to your business.
Please note that the above information is provided as comment and should not be relied on as a substitute for detailed professional advice from AB Phillips or professional legal and or financial advice on any particular matter. Where you would like additional information and support about the content in this document please contact AB Phillips.