Does your workplace seem safe?

Are there things that you are required to do, that at times seem unsafe or even dangerous?

What makes a workplace safe?

WHAT A SAFE WORKPLACE LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE

Features of a Safe Workplace

A safe workplace is one where everyone is able to work in a way where their health, safety and welfare are never compromised.

For this to be possible, a safe workplace should have the following things:

1.      A management culture which sees the safety of employees as an integral part of the way business decisions are made and the business is run

2.      Formal work procedures and systems of work which make sure that the way work is done will not expose employees and other to harm

3.      Health and safety systems which go beyond 100% compliance and work towards best practice

4.      A culture which rewards those who identify hazards and raise health and safety issues because this means that hazards can be dealt with and accidents avoided

5.      A positive approach to consulting employees on workplace change and examining and controlling any health and safety risks which could result from the changes.

6.      A workforce that feels they are never put at risk and know how to work safely, is committed to their own safety and the safety of others.

A safe workplace will focus equally on the three aspects of the 'total safety culture'

SYSTEMS
Policies, Procedures, Safe Work Procedures,
Risk Management Activities,
Incident Reporting, Incident Investigation

PEOPLE                                                                       BEHAVIOUR

Knowledge, Skills, Training,                                            Decision Making Compliance,

Consultation, Expertise,                                                 Communication, Engagement,

Motivation, Information                                                    Leadership, Caring for each other

Incidents are not just a factor of behaviour.  People's activities and behaviours at work are determined by the systems of work that the company has designed for them to follow as well as the environment in which they carry out their work, the conditions under which they work and the materials and equipment they are required to use to do their work.

In a safe workplace:

*      People feel safe

*      They knew that their safety is important to the company and to the people they work with

*      They know that their working environment and their work procedures have been designed to ensure that they are safe

*      They know how to work safely

*      They know that they will not be blamed should an incident occur and

*      They know that they will never be required to put themselves or others at risk to get the job done

Insist on employee safety being an aspect of all business decisions made by the company

Insist on work procedures which make sure that you can not be exposed to health and safety risks

Insist on health and safety systems which go beyond mere legal compliance and which seek to guarantee the safety of all employees by achieving Best Practice

Insist on not being blamed for health and safety incidents

Insist on never being put at risk of injury or illness in order to get your job done

Source: 'Not Safe. Not On.' AMIEU NSW Branch