It is not surprising that safer and healthier workplaces translate into increased productivity, more job satisfaction and stronger bottom-line results, the imperative to prove the links has grown stronger.
What is surprising is how closely safety and productivity are related, a lot of indications of a productive and efficient systems are also indications of a safe system:
- A high-quality working environment.
- A good level of co-operation between management and employees.
- Work organisation that provides employees with challenges, responsibilities and job autonomy.
- The development of new working methods and equipment to improve working postures and decrease the strain level of physical work.
- Allowing creative solutions for specific WHS/OHS problems.
- A thorough analysis of the different production costs that can be directly or indirectly related to health and safety hazards (costs of incidents, loss of productivity and quality, and other production costs due, for example, to the use of inadequate materials).
So what are the benefits of having the safe system of work?
| Direct Benefits | Indirect Benefits |
|---|---|
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Here are a couple of interesting quotes to finish off this article:
“High levels of worker productivity are critical to the success of all sorts of organisations, whether for-profit, government, or non-profit… As a result, health [and safety] risks and productivity are being discussed within corporate medical departments, executive suites, academic centres, and government agencies around the world.” (Brandt-Rauf et al, 2001:1)
“Studies measuring the effects of health [and safety] on worker productivity in the past 5 years have dramatically increased… driven by the desire of employers to understand and control health care costs… Better management of worker health [and safety] and related productivity outcomes may create a competitive business advantage.” (Sullivan, 2004:S56)
“Improving the fit between humans and tools inherently means a more effective match…. good design permits more output with less human effort.” (MacLeod, 1995:19)
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Schools are in fact quite high risk environments with a lot of various interests intertwined together.
Now when harmonisation has arrived – with the exception of Western Australia and Victoria all jurisdictions in Australia are now bound by the provisions of the harmonised work health and safety legislation. All businesses or undertakings operating in NSW, ACT, Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania, including schools, must now comply with the legislation.
As was identified by SafeWork Australia a good school safety management system will:
Ensure health and safety responsibilities are identified and known, including responsibilities set out in health and safety legislation.
Have senior managers taking an active role in health and safety.
Encourage supervisor involvement in health and safety.
Have health and safety representatives who are actively and broadly involved in health and safety management system activity.
Have effective health and safety committees.
Have a planned approach to hazard identification and risk assessment.
Give high priority and consistent attention to control of hazards at source.
Have a comprehensive approach to workplace inspections and incident investigations.
Have developed purchasing systems, including contractor management solutions.
Do you know whether your school’s safety management system will measure up? How can you find out? As specialists in providing health and safety consulting services to the education sector we can assist by providing the following services in addition to helping you to build the above system:
- safety management system assessment (measurement, compliance and development)
- operational risk assessments
- health and safety training and coaching
- safety culture development
We can measure your existing safety management system’s capability and, if needs be, help you achieve compliance, best practice or certification level in Safety. Call now for a free, no obligation consultation: 8911 0408 or 1300 856 310 0 or email admin@outbacksafety.com.au
Read MoreRemote driving falls under the category remote or isolated work (reg 48 of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations NT).
So according to legislation, PCBU will have to provide safety system of work for drivers in remote with effective communication system (max penalty $30,000).
That means the following:
PCBU’s must manage risks to the health and safety of a worker associated with remote or isolated work
• Remote or isolated work in relation to a worker means work that is isolated from the assistance of other persons because of location, time or the nature of work e.g. regional drivers
• Assistance includes rescue, medical assistance and the attendance of emergency service workers PCBU’s must provide a system of work that includes effective communication with the worker. This could include:
• Personal security systems, radio or satellite communications, distress beacons
• Procedures for regular contact with the worker, emergency communication plan