Workplace Health and Safety

[Easy Workplace Safety]

Hi

A lot of business owners are unaware that OHS is a legal requirement for any business - in fact it has been a requirement for many years but in light of many workplace deaths it is now being bought to the attention of state OHS departments around Australia that inspecting small business is an absolute necessity.

Our experience has been that Employers and Business Owners would rather risk a fine than implement an OHS System.

Most businesses consider their businesses without risk however what about the man recently killed in an office building when, during a wild storm, a piece of flying furniture flew through his office window hitting him in the chest and killing him. Freak accident yes.....employer held responsible...yes. Mind blowing really but he was killed whilst at work and doing his job.


I would be interested in hearing your thoughts.

[GEM Services]

Donna,

I experience this all the time with regards to project design and site offices for major construction projects. During the project start ups we undertake a complete tri-system audit and find that the design office in the CBD's are shocking wiith regards to compliance to the OSH regs etc. the office mangers also have no or little understanding that the regs apply to all workplaces.

They see it as a site requirement for implementataion but we do a weekly walkwaround in the deisgn office for all manner of hazards and also undertaken a toolbox at the same time discussing the same things we have discussed on site.

This makes is clear and transparent when the client undertakes complaince audits and also when the parent companies bring the certification auditors in as part of the annual program.

[Easy Workplace Safety]

It is surprising how many people do not know their OHS responsibilities and that is one of the reasons we place a huge emphasis on educating all levels of staff about OHS Responsibilities.

It is an uphill battle but one we are slowly winning.