| 1. Policies Just Aren't Enough | | | | increases which equals increased profits. |
| It isn't enough to have written policies if you let | | | | 5. Accidents Don't Just Happen |
| them sit in a folder until it's time to review them. | | | | Despite what we have all come to believe |
| Policies are the foundations on which your entire | | | | accidents don't just happen. Accidents happen |
| safety sits so: | | | | because of things like: |
| They must be visible. | | | | Complacency. |
| Easily accessible and. | | | | Inaction. |
| Staff need to be trained to use them. | | | | Poor performances in safety programmes. |
| Just because your policies cover all legislative | | | | Lack of training, reporting or listening. |
| requirements, doesn't give you protection from | | | | By avoiding trigger factors for accidents we can |
| prosecution in the event of an accident. | | | | easily build a workplace that is safe. A |
| You need to prove that you've done everything | | | | commitment to safety first by management will |
| possible to: | | | | lead to a commitment to safety first by staff. |
| Remove the risk. | | | | And only by total commitment will safety be |
| Substitute another product if possible. | | | | achieved. |
| Safety guards etc in place to protect people. | | | | 6. Show, Don't Tell |
| Administrative controls - procedures to keep | | | | Safety systems have to be clearly understood by |
| people safe. | | | | all the people using them. From the general |
| Issued Personal Protective equipment. | | | | manager to the newest apprentice, safety must |
| 2. History Doesn't Repeat | | | | be clearly understood. |
| Just because you haven't had an accident doesn't | | | | Having policies and procedures that are not clearly |
| mean you are running a safe workplace. | | | | understood is a waste of time and money. |
| It actually could put you at greater risk of having | | | | The best way to impart the knowledge is with |
| an accident due to management or worker | | | | posters, charts and diagrams. Print them off, |
| complacency. Unless you are actively looking for | | | | laminate them and place them in all work areas as |
| unsafe situations or problems you won't find | | | | well as places like the meal room. Having them |
| them. And if you don't find them someone will. | | | | displayed prominently instead of sitting in a folder |
| Possibly with tragic consequences. | | | | on a shelf will have the effect of keeping the |
| 3. Making Money With Safety | | | | safety culture in your workplace alive which |
| Making money with safety might seem like a | | | | keeps your workers alive. |
| strange concept but if you think about it for a | | | | 7. Analysts Help |
| while it isn't. | | | | You've done everything right. You've got OH&S |
| Think about the costs involved with: | | | | committees, you do safety inspections, you listen |
| Retraining of staff due to high turnover. | | | | to your employees when they mention safety |
| Insurance premium increases due to safety | | | | issues, so you don't need an external analyst do |
| issues. | | | | you? |
| Decrease in productivity because workers are | | | | WRONG. |
| worried. | | | | Having an analyst come in is the same as going to |
| It will cost to put a safety system in place but | | | | your accountant. A safety analyst specializes in |
| the long term benefits are huge. | | | | safety. They are able to see things from a |
| 4. Healthy Workplace = Happy Workers | | | | different perspective and seeing things through a |
| Ensuring a safe workplace makes your people feel | | | | different perspective is good for your business. |
| valued. And employees that feel valued are more | | | | Another benefit of having an analyst is they keep |
| likely to stay with the company and want the | | | | current on all legislative changes. An analyst is |
| company to succeed. | | | | amongst the first to know what changes have |
| Bad employees will tend to leave of their own | | | | taken place at a state and federal level. They are |
| choice because they won't fit with your company. | | | | able to explain exactly what they mean to your |
| Your company will gain a reputation for being a | | | | business or industry. |
| great place to work and you'll find good | | | | Just like an accountant keeps on top of financial |
| employees easily. | | | | matters a safety analyst keeps on top of safety |
| So staff turnover decreases and productivity | | | | matters, leaving you free to run your business. |