As a designer, contractor, worker or officer, you have a legal obligation to mitigate risk under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations. Over 800 companies violated WHS rules and attracted hefty fines in recent years. The rules being vast and easy to misconstrue, high-risk industries – such as construction – benefit thoroughly from professional whs consultation.
Identification of your risks and potential challenges:
The WHS guidelines delineate the responsibilities of each actor based on their role. For instance, there is coordination among the design team, construction team, contractors, and managers within the construction industry. More often than not, you will have shared duties and will have to effectively delegate your tasks with accompanying legal obligations. WHS consultants can help you identify your specific role and clarify your duties in such an overlap.
Strategising solutions:
A “one size fits all” approach is not feasible in risk management. Professionals provide tailor-made solutions based on your predicament. Rather than merely complying with the rules, the consultants will ensure tangible benefits such as reduced premiums, fewer workplace injuries, and a more engaged workforce.
For instance, in the last year alone, 15567 serious claims were made in the construction industry – each resulting in a loss of more than one week per worker. Improved risk assessment can reduce the loss of workdays as well as money paid out in compensation. Further, it can also optimise your premium payment. But, most importantly, it will boost the morale of your employees.
Risk Management:
There is a systematic process for risk management involving the following steps:
- Identification of hazards: You need to find out what event can cause potential harm. For instance, 23% of all serious claims made in the past year were by people who fell, tripped, or slipped.
- Risk Assessment: You need to clarify the probability of an accident occurring and the extent of the associated potential injury. Nearly 40% of serious claims made last year were for joint/muscle/ligament injuries.
- Risk Control: You must implement reasonable control and mitigation measures and ensure their effectiveness over time.
- Risk Management Review: You must monitor the performance of your risk control measures and review them periodically. It may also involve reviewing your WHS management plans and Safe Work Method Statements.
The process can get cumbersome, leading to missed opportunities at best and fatalities at worst. WHS experts bring their experience to the table and help you streamline the process.
Training and Instruction:
Employers must train their workers regularly on general and trade-specific safety measures. In the construction industry, for instance, workers who have completed general training will earn a white card, without which they cannot legally work. Additionally, workers must undergo training specific to their workplace conditions.
WHS consultants can help you keep track of the completed, ongoing, and upcoming training activity so you can ensure all your workers are up to date on safety issues. Doing so helps you efficiently schedule your workforce.
Work Health and Safety regulations are in place to minimise traumatic injuries to all agents involved in a physically risky job. With the right whs consultation, you can make it a win-win situation for all. Not only will you breathe a sigh of relief knowing that your workers are safe, but you will save thousands of dollars on potential lawsuits.