What is OHS? How can it help make the workplace safe for everyone?
Whatever industry you are in, there is always the possibility of an injury or impairment to someone’s health. Every day, workers are exposed to dangerous machinery, electricity, toxic substances, working in confined spaces, excessive working hours, or even psychological hazards such as stress.
Over time, people have developed guidelines and plans to manage and reduce these mishaps' risk.
Occupational Health and Safety, or OHS, is a set of plans or guidelines to protect the safety, health, and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. From setting regulations like personal protective equipment to controlling work pace and frequency – OHS plays an essential role in keeping the workplace accident, injury, and disease-free.
Although companies have varying needs when it comes to health and safety in the workplace, some basic components should considered, such as:
Health and safety policy statement/rule: A health and safety statement sets out how you manage health and safety within your workplace. It demonstrates your business's attitude towards health and safety and the steps, arrangements and systems you have to ensure you comply with Health and Safety legislation.*
Correct work procedures: Safe work procedures ensure your workers are aware of the issues in their work tasks and outline how to avoid injury or illness while doing these tasks.* This may include specific rules for handling machinery or wearing personal protective equipment. Whatever the case, the rules should be strictly implemented at all times.
Workers orientation: Inexperienced workers, more often than not, are involved in accidents at a higher rate than others. Employee orientation sessions normally cover such items as an explanation of the function of the work unit, organizational relationships, administrative arrangements, and miscellaneous policies and rules.*
These are just some programs that can help keep workers safe and healthy. It’s essential to build these measures from the start. Don’t wait for accidents to happen. If you’re the owner and manager of your business, then the buck stops with you.
If you’re looking into workplace safety, ASSA is a company that can help. They provide a comprehensive and innovative range of Safety Signage, Workplace Practices and OHSE and Workplace Practices Systems that include Safe Work Procedures, Safe Work Method Statement & JSA tools, Employee Relations and Administrative tools that save time and money. For more info, go to www.assaohs.com.au