Why Are Risk Assessments Carried Out On Paper?

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Back in the good old days the various stages of risk assessment involved turning up to work and not getting hurt. It was a simpler risk assessment system but suffice to say it didn’t do a lot for safe operating procedures.

We joke about it now but this history of poor workplace health and safety practices highlights the importance of a risk assessment. Paper-based risk assessments have helped keep workers save for decades but now in the digital age, they are quickly becoming redundant. New software alternatives are quicker to complete and easier to administer, which begs the question: why are risk assessments carried out on paper?

The simple answer is because it used to be the easiest way of carrying out a risk assessment. That isn’t to say writing risk assessments on paper is still the easiest way to do things. The table-based risk assessment layout works well for paper but now with risk assessment software development extending well into the construction industry, it’s become clear that the future of risk assessment is found in technology.

You can find out more about construction risk assessment software here. For more useful tips and information, check out the SafeWorkPro Blog.

What is a Risk Assessment Matrix?

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What if I told you that construction risk assessments were so unnecessarily complicated that they actually constrain your productivity? If you’ve ever had to deal with an OHS risk assessment matrix than you’d know what I’m talking about.

Even the best risk assessment matrix can be long and overcomplicated. This means that workers have to stay off the job for longer just to finish the required risk assessment forms. But what is a risk assessment matrix?

Risk Assessment Matrix Template

Risk assessment matrices are a common tool for risk evaluation and are used through a variety of industries and professions. The aim of a risk assessment matrix is to determine the likelihood and consequence of various health and safety hazards and risks. Usually presented in a table or graph format, risk assessment matrices usually offer three standards:

1-2: Low likelihood, low consequence: this area usually indicates that the health risks at work are either effectively controlled or are not prevalent enough to warrant concern.

3: Medium likelihood, medium consequence: these risks are usually judged to be controllable within reason and represent the bare minimum of acceptable risk in the workplace.

4-5: High likelihood, high consequence: risks identified in this area require stronger control measures to fall within reasonably practicable health and safety standards.

Along each axis of the graph, the various levels of consequence and likelihood are numbered. To retrieve an accurate level of total risk, these numbers are multiplied together according to where the specific risk falls on the graph or table. Although most businesses will have different guides, this general risk assessment template provides a basic understanding of a standard risk assessment matrix example.

Worksafe Australia Codes Of Practice

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In Australia, every state or territory has it’s own health & safety regulations enforced by their respective governmental authority. To ensure a safe workplace for all Australians, Safe Work Australia develops model codes of practice for a variety of high risk construction work.

The purpose of these safety policies is to harmonise safe working practices and procedures under one legal framework. Although each state or territory has its own regulator for the enforcement of safety laws in the workplace, Safe Work Australia’s codes of practice outlines the health and safety standards required under the WHS Act. These practical guides only become enforceable after the government of each state or territory approves them. Approved codes of practice are also admissible in court meaning if legal proceedings were to occur, the code of practice can be used as evidence as to what is know about a hazard, risk or control measure. The codes of practice will in turn be used as a reference point to determine what is reasonably practicable in the relevant situation.

There are currently 32 model codes of practice published by Safe Work Australia ranging from asbestos handling to confined spaces. More details of the codes can be found at Safe Work Australia’s website.

Safety Tips In The Workplace

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The beauty of Safe Work Australia Month is that it not only increases the public’s awareness of safe working practices but it also fosters the sharing of innovative ideas. This approach gives employees and employers the ability to form occupational health and safety procedures that evolve with safety laws in the workplace. In one Safe Work Month […]

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How Can Job Safety Analysis Software Improve Productivity?

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The old saying goes ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ and it may be true for some things in life but when it comes to risks in construction, this phrase is just plain wrong. In this age of digital technology, the traditional risk assessment is out-dated and inefficient.

But why?

The job safety analysis sheet, OHS risk assessment form or risk analysis process (all different names for the same thing) has always consisted of various forms of paperwork. Back in the day this was the best method to ensure job safety on the worksite and to remain compliant with OHS laws. But times have changed and although a free JSA template can do the job, there is now a digital alternative that’s quicker, easier to use and instantly responsive to compliance requests.

It’s called job safety analysis software and at SafeWorkPro, we developed this efficient digital job safety analysis method in consultation with both worksite managers and tradespersons. The software uses the same safe work method statements, risk assessment matrices and job safety analyses through an application that’s downloadable to any smartphone or tablet device. This means workers can update the job safety analysis as working conditions change, save the completed forms as a PDF and instantly send it to the manager for approval. Moreover, the job safety analysis software provides managers with real time business insights into the working conditions of each employee. In other words, managers know what job an employee is working on, how much risk is involved and the current status of their risk assessment.

Ready to start saving time and money? Sign-up with SafeWorkPro today and see the results for yourself. Alternatively you can read more about SafeWorkPro’s risk assessment software.

Australian Workers Compensation and Return To Work

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Workplace compensation is an unfortunate but necessary aspect of every industry in Australia. It is unfortunate in that a worker has experienced some form of injury or illness and it is necessary in that workers comp forms a crucial part of rehabilitation. Workcover workers compensation is but another aspect of the worksafe Australia codes of practice and should be a central consideration for any business seeking to update its safe work practices.

What are the core components of Australian workers compensation and the return to work process?

The following workers comp policy and return to work process indicates a compliant workplace:

  • Business details are reflected in the workers compensation insurance policy
  • The workers comp claim is reported to the relevant insurer within the specified timeline
  • Details of return to work programs are outlined to workers, including the relevant safe work practices for the event of an injury or illness
  • When worker injury or illness does occur, the appropriate return to work plan is implemented

 

The following workers comp policy and return to work process indicates a semi-compliant workplace:

  • Business details are not reflected in the workers compensation insurance policy
  • The workers comp claim is not reported to the relevant insurer within the specified timeline
  • Details of return to work programs are not outlined to workers, nor are the relevant safe work practices for the event of an injury or illness
  • In the case of worker injury or illness, return to work plans are no effectively implemented

 

The following workers comp policy and return to work process indicates a non-compliant workplace that requires immediate action:

  • There is no workers compensation insurance policy in place
  • There is no return to work program or policy in place
  • There is no return to work assistance offered to workers following an injury or illness

 

For more information and advice on worker’s compensation, read Safe Work Australia’s National Workers Compensation Action Plan.

Meet the Regulators: Workplace Health and Safety Queensland

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Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) is the peak authority for OHS regulations in Queensland. Although other statutory bodies play a role in Queensland health and safety, WHSQ is the main regulator and is responsible for the enforcement of OHS laws and compliance. To work in Queensland within the current framework of occupational health and safety legislation as outlined by Safe Work Australia, you need to understand who WHSQ is, what its role entails, and the extent of its legal reach.

Let’s start off with ‘the who’ and WHSQ is part of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General. WHSQ is governed by the work health and safety board, which is comprised of 11 members from employer, employee and industry groups. The board, in conjunction with the industry sector standing committee, provide Workplace Health and Safety Queensland with advice for issues in:

• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Rural
• Community
• Health services
• Retail
• Wholesale
• Hospitality
• Recreation
• Transport
• Storage

Queensland safety legislation is based on the model framework from Safe Work Australia but its role goes beyond basic workplace regulations. On top of licensing and registrations for high risk work and OHS training, WHSQ also reviews the Work Health and Safety Act, makes policy recommendations to the Attorney-General and conducts routine workplace inspections. The regulatory role of WHSQ includes a wide range compliance and enforcement options. These include:
• Issuing advice, information and infringement notices
• On the spot fines
• Seizure of equipment or substances
• Suspension of license or accreditation
• Enforceable undertakings (legally binding agreements)
• Prosecutions
• Workplace interventions and audits

Understanding the scale of WHSQ’s powers will ensure you don’t receive any penalties or worse. But ultimately the only way to ensure the health and safety of your workers while remaining compliant with OHS policy is by implementing a modern, software based risk assessment process.

What Are Your Online Risk Assessment Options?

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The evolution of risk management in software engineering has produced risk assessment software that ranges from the obsolete to the irrelevant. As Australia’s vast array of OHS laws and regulations change, it’s difficult to pinpoint what software risk assessment should be used for.

Some early editions involved writing a risk assessment online but were rendered useless if a construction worker happened to be on a site without internet access.

More recent forms of internet safety software hold many advantages for risk and compliance but are so complicated that the average worker – or IT technician for that matter – is unable to understand it.

So the search for useful online risk assessments has resulted in products that range from the obsolete to the irrelevant. But construction safety software is starting to gain traction in certain areas. New forms of health and safety management software are able to be used regardless of internet access and are developed with simple practicality in mind. These emerging forms of risk assessment software can implement the applicable safe work method statement and the intended control measures on a step-by-step basis. Moreover, the completed risk assessment forms are available to be downloaded as a pdf file for future compliance requests.

The construction risk assessment software we’ve developed here at SafeWorkPro is quicker, safer and more compliant. Our example of risk assessment software was developed in consultation with contractors and construction managers but we won’t sit here and try to sell it to you now. Instead, why don’t you just read up on our risk assessment software here and make up your own mind.

Let us know what you think on Twitter or Facebook.

Meet the Regulators: Worksafe Western Australia

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Worksafe Western Australia is a government body responsible for the regulation of the state’s occupational health and safety legislation – specifically the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984.  Worksafe WA is essentially the equivalent of Workcover Western Australia in that its mandate

includes not only the education and promotion of safe work practices but also workplace inspection and enforcement. As with all state and territory authorities, Worksafe Western Australia operates within the framework of Safe Work Australia.

Responsibilities:

Collaboration with industry, employer and employee groups:

  • Influence a commercial environment in Western Australia that promotes best safety practices and empowers businesses to reduce workplace hazard and risk.
  • Safeguard the organisational capacity Western Australia Worksafe has to assist the OHS management for all businesses.

 

Online information and education:

  • Provide a digital platform to facilitate the transfer of health and safety information to workers, employers and students.
  • The Worksafe Plan Assessment System: this online resource allows organisations to measure and evaluate their OHS record.

 

Workplace compliance inspections:

  • Inspectors use industry specific checklists for a variety of inspection types including reactive, campaign focused, injury and disease focused.
  • These inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with OHS codes of practice for Western Australia.

 

Issue resolution and assistance with risk management:

  • Should an OHS dispute occur, Worksafe Western Australia has an issue resolution procedure in place that aims to mitigate differences between employers and employees.

 

Enforcement in areas of non-compliance:

  • Worksafe WA has several enforcement options available including improvement and prohibition notices, verbal or written direction and prosecution.
  • Prosecution occurs when notices have failed to prompt compliance, a duty holder repeats an earlier offence, an inspector is prevented from conducting his/her work or there has been a breach of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

It should be noted that Worksafe Western Australia is not responsible for the regulation of every industry in the state. Although Worksafe WA does regulate most industries, those workplaces involved in mining and petroleum sectors of the economy as well as those covered by the Federal Comcare, are exempt.