Now the Australian Government has issued the 3 Step Framework for a COVIDSafe Australia it is a great time to think about how your organisation will manage Risks when returning to work in a COVID-19 environment.
The return to work will need to be a planned and staged approach as outlined in the Framework.
If your organisation needs assistance in managing this approach at your workplace, Safety Australia Group can assist you focus on:
A staged and actively managed return to work;
Identification of infection control points;
Review of critical areas that may be at greater Risk;
Risk mitigation Strategies.
The findings from our Risk Assessment Process will be placed in written report for your organisation.
The report will provide recommendations on methods to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19.
If you’re interested in finding out more information please don’t hesitate to contact us on 1300 585 128 or email us and we will be pleased to prepare a Proposal for your consideration.
Noise is a major workplace health and safety hazard and under WHS legislation, workers must be protected from the risk of hearing loss. Hazardous noise can destroy the ability to hear clearly, making it more difficult to hear sounds necessary for working safely such as instructions or warning signals.
What are my obligations under WHS legislation?
A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must manage the risks of hearing loss associated with noise at the workplace by ensuring that the noise a worker is exposed to at the workplace does not exceed the exposure standard for noise; and by providing audiometric testing to a worker who is frequently required to use personal hearing protectors to protect the worker from hearing loss associated with noise that exceeds the exposure standard.
Through well engineered noise cancelling and noise control strategies the risk of workplace noise can be managed. If not addressed, it can result in the permanent hearing loss of workers which is life changing for the person involved and costly to the organisation through increased workers compensation premiums, replacement and training costs. The degree of hearing loss is dependant on how loud the noise is, the amount of exposure, and the frequency and pitch.
When is noise hazardous?
Environments where noisy machinery and equipment are being used can be easily identified. If you need to raise your voice to speak to someone who is only 1 metre away from you, the noise likely to be hazardous. The potential for noise to be hazardous is not always so obvious. Exposure to noise is cumulative and a worker may perform a number of noisy work activities over time which, in combination, may expose the worker to hazardous noise.
How often should hearing tests be conducted?
Workplaces that require workers to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect themselves against hazardous noise, must do hearing tests or audiometric testing. Starting the hearing tests before people are exposed to hazardous noise (such as new starters or those changing jobs) provides a baseline as a reference for future audiometric test results.
The Code of Practice for managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work has been published by Safe Work Australia and applies to all types of work and all workplaces covered by the WHS Act where there is the potential for exposure to noise that can contribute to hearing loss.
Businesses should refer to the Code of Practice to ensure they are meeting their obligations under the new WHS laws or seek advice from an experienced Industrial Audiologist. An Industrial Audiologist can provide you with practical advice on effective noise control management solutions that best adhere to the new Code of Practice by:
Conduct a noise assessment to identify noise sources and which workers are at risk of hearing loss
Implementing appropriate workplace noise control strategies including a workplace noise policy
Recommend noise cancelling solutions
Review the effectiveness of existing noise control measures
Monitoring employees through audiometric testing / hearing tests
For further information about our audiology services contact us online or phone 1300 585 128.
Contact us now to get started.
Safety Australia Group Consultants can create prioritised action plans to assist in your businesses compliance journey.
Contact us now via Email or call us on 1300 585 128.
A positive safety culture within your organisation is directly linked to improving your overall safety performance. When ownership of safety takes place, workplace accidents and incidents can be considerably reduced.
We have a number of areas that we can help your organisation including:
Conduct a safety survey to identify how safety is perceived in your organisation.
Facilitate safety workshops to discuss key issues impacting on safety culture & performance within your organisation.
Collaboratively develop a plan to enhance your safety culture.
Employees often provide valuable information to a third party if they feel comfortable discussing.
For more information on how to foster a positive safety culture please call 1300 585 128 or submit your questions using our online enquiry form.
All employers have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure that employees are adequately trained to do the work required of them both now and in the future and can do their work effectively, efficiently and most importantly safely.
Safety Australia Group consultants can assist in determining work groups and training WHS Committee members to create an effective, compliant and functional committee. Our Safety Consultants can also train workers and officers in facilitating consultation, co-operation and co-ordination and how this fits into management reporting lines.
Safety training is an essential part of any workplace and will help to:
Ensure you or your employees are not injured or made ill by the work they do;
Develop a positive health & safety culture, where safe & healthy working becomes second nature to everyone;
Find out how you could manage health and safety better;
Meet your legal duty to protect the health & safety of your employees.
Importance of Training
Safety training is an investment not only to prevent incidents from occurring but also Managers and Supervisors must have an understanding of the principles of WHS. Training at all levels of the organisation ensures each person is aware of their responsibilities. This results in the improvement of the physical, mental, and social well being of every person in the organisation.
Visit the Safety Training Australia Website to see the full range of training options available or call us on 1300 585 128 today.
We have online, in-person and self paced training options available.
A Safety Management System can significantly improve your Workplace Health & Safety. We can develop, implement and review your management system across all areas of Health & Safety, Quality and Environmental compliance.
Safety Management Systems can be fairly complex as they need to cover all areas of a particular worksite. The components can vary and are dependent on the operational requirements of the business. The scope of a Safety Management System is determined by the safety objectives of the organisation.
Having a Safety Management System will help to reduce human injury, property and equipment damage, service interruption, and corporate / individual liability. Your system should enable all employees to clearly understand the policies and the procedures required to achieve a safe work environment for everyone.
Implementing a Safety Management System into the workplace requires participation from line management and workers in the development, coordination and monitoring of the safety program initiatives and activities.
Workplace Health and Safety issues need to be identified and the appropriate action to address those issues determined. This means a Safety Management System needs to be customised for the specific needs of an organisation.
Regardless of what safety management software you choose for your business, Safety Consultants Australia can help you to implement and review your system to ensure it is compliant, current and customised to your businesses risk profile.
We can help you to develop documentation from policies & procedures, supporting forms and tools in accordance with the requirements of the WHS / OHS legislation and relevant standards.
Develop an Integrated Management System that combines WHS, Quality and Environmental compliance for a consolidated approach to risk management. Contact us to ask how.
