ENSURE A SAFE WORKPLACE

ASSESSMENT: WRITE AN WHS POLICY

A written health and safety policy helps promote an effective WHS program. Such a policy should reflect the special needs of your workplace and should be regularly reviewed and updated. You are to create aWHS Policy for a workplace of your choice.

NOTE a Policy is "A Plan of Action"

The policy statement should provide a clear indication of the company's objectives, aims and plans for occupational health and safety.

The following issues should be covered in the statement:

• senior management's commitment to the establishment of a healthy and safe workplace and to the integration of health and safety into all workplace activities

• the intention to treat basic safety and health legislation as a minimum standard rather than maximum,

• responsibility of all personnel in maintaining a safe workplace,

• accountability of all levels of management for carrying out health and safety responsibilities

• importance of consultation and co-operation between management and employees for effective implementation of policy

• commitment to regular reviews of the policy and to monitor its effectiveness

• The policy should state the arrangements in place to support and implement it. Such items as safety meetings, safe working procedures, occupational hygiene, and safety training should be outlined

• The policy should address the types of hazards associated with the workplace. Depending on the types of tasks performed and the hazards present, it may be necessary for the employer to become fairly specific and detailed in outlining hazards at the workplace. E.g. Fire, Bomb etc

• The policy should discuss active and on-going participation of employees in helping to achieve the objectives. Employees should also be involved in preparing and implementing the policy. Without the meaningful participation of employees, a policy will not succeed

• individual responsibilities

• legal responsibilities,

• accountability systems,

• promotion of safety awareness,

• education and training needs,

• reporting and correcting safety and health problems, and

• injury and illness control information