Introduction and Planning

There are two key functions in the planning of safety management:

1. Understanding of the Acts, Regulations, Codes of Practices, Advisory Standard, Guidelines and Australian Standards pertinent to the companies scope of business activities, and
2. Planning for Safety – the key elements in developing, implementing, monitoring and improving safe systems of work to ensure safety in the workplace is a minimal acceptable risk.

Understanding Legislation

Acts and Regulations – Mandatory Requirements

• Acts provide the general framework and Regulations contain specific requirements for a range of workplace issues.
• There can be several Regulations under one Act.
• The requirements contained in Acts and Regulations are mandatory.
• Failure to meet these obligations is an offence and may be subject to prosecution.

Australian Standards, Advisory Standards, Codes of Practice and Guidelines – Obligatory but not Mandatory

• Unless specifically quoted in Acts or Regulations, the requirements contained in Australian Standards, Codes of Practice, Advisory Standards and other Guidelines are not mandatory, e.g. a person or company cannot be prosecuted solely on the basis that those requirements were not met. However failure to meet the specifications contained in Australian Standards, Code of Practice, Advisory Standards or Guideline can be used as evidence that a person or company has failed to meet the obligations contained in the Acts and Regulations.
• Where standards are quoted in legislation, the requirements of that standard are mandatory unless the State legislators have indicated otherwise.
• Legal obligations can be compounded. For example, an employer who modifies equipment to suit the workplace has, in addition to the duties for employers also the duties for designers and manufacturers in respect to these modifications.

Planning for safety

The key elements of OHS management systems as per AS/NZS 4801.

Management Commitment

• Policies developed – measurable and requiring continuous improvement
• Promotion of health and safety
• OHS leadership
• OHS responsibilities and accountabilities
• Consultation and communication strategy
• OHS as part of business and operational plans
• Legislative compliance management requirements known and understood
  Planning
• Objectives, targets and KPI’s set against policies
• Human and physical resources allocated appropriate to implement, measure and improve the safety system
• Training plan in place including all facets of safety

Implementation

• Control of workplace risks in place – risk management process
• Documented workplace safety systems in place, transparent and understood
• Activities implemented sufficient to bring the organisation to fully comply with company documented systems and all relevant legislation.
• Consultative process transparent and working effectively

Measurement and Evaluation

• Audit and inspection process in place
• Measurement of systems against both policies and industry best practice
• Reduced incidents, injuries and illness

Review and Improve

• Periodic review of the management systems for changes in safe work methods, legislation, technology, organizational structure, chemicals, machinery etc
• Reduced costs associated with incidents, injuries and illness
• Hazard reports and corrective actions

In Summary:

1. Policies developed
2. Roles and responsibilities determined and consultative mechanisms developed
3. Training strategy
4. Develop and risk control – risk management
5. Implement and maintain
6. Monitor, report and continuously improve