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The Final Word - October 2003

By Michael Vincent

26 December, 2006

Society is evolving; if enterprises do not change to meet the acceptable community standards then they will disappear from the industrial landscape.  Government is the instrument of change, in other words they are charged with the reflection and implementation of community standards across society as a whole.  Business needs to apply the principles of the management of risk in order to stay in front of compliance requirements.

 

What should a checklist contain to ensure minimal compliance and the development of a safe and healthy workplace?  In the construction of this checklist local environmental issues need to be addressed and it must be borne in mind by company officers that the distinction between individuals and a company entity is being removed somewhat.  Victoria is leading the way here in its introduction of the concept of "industrial manslaughter".  This is yet to be tested and evaluated as to how it will create the environment for a safer working place.  Perhaps calling it a checklist may send the wrong signal, as I believe that it should pose discussion and thinking rather than ticking.

 

A minimal suggested checklist:

 

1. Legislation, an updated list of current local, interstate and international laws affecting the entities area of operations.2. List of current agreements with unions and its relationship with accepted best practice principles as agreed from time to time.3. What are the emerging issues that could happen to the entity in the coming year?4. What are the components of the risk and recovery model?5. Are we insured or self-insured and what is the effect on the firm?6. Where is and what are the contents of the OH & S policy.7. What training is needed to make the policy work?8. The reporting system, is there a system that supports the reporting of deficiencies or does it discourage discussion?9. Insourcing or outsourcing issues and the affect on the financial performance of the firm.10. Proof that the process is implementable and followed by the workforce and management.11. How is performance to be measured and reviewed for effectiveness?12. Can the policy be used as a vehicle for change within the organisation?13. The process of compliance.14. Statistical collection methods and use of data.15. Immediate and follow up actions after an event.16. The role and responsibility of the rehabilitation officer.17. Strategies for injury prevention.18. Allocation of accountability and responsibility to various levels of management.

 

The above list is by no means inclusive, can you think of other issues that should be added, lets try for 20 points.

 

Once we have created our checklist, it should help us achieve the following results:

 

1. Identify areas of danger to employees on a risk identification basis.2. Allow development of early intervention or prevention strategies.3. Inform management of deficiencies within the current structure.4. Selection of appropriate performance indicators.5. Define outcome criteria.6. Allows for accurate measurement and audit of results.

 

It is a fact of life that as times goes on society will demand a safer workplace, companies and officers who fail to plan for this will be putting the entity at risk or effectively ensuring there is no future to manage.

About the Authors

Director

Australasian Risk Management Unit

Faculty of Business and Economics

Monash University