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Policies and Procedures
Safety personnel fall into two categories:
- Those persons who take on a specific safety role in addition to their normal job role, e.g. Health and Safety Representatives, OH&S Committee Members.
- Persons whose normal job has a safety management role as part of their job description. This is usually through the duty of care component of the OH&S Act, e.g. Managers, Supervisors, Workplace Safety Co-ordinators (return to work).
Whichever category a person falls into, if they have a safety role, then there is a process for communicating with them on safety matters.
Those persons who take on a specific safety role in addition to their normal job role, e.g. Health and Safety Representatives, OH&S Committee Members.
- Safety personnel who fall into this category are usually representing a particular part of the workforce, such as a site/dept/ or specific job roles.
- At induction you will be informed of the safety personnel who are specifically designated as your representative person.
- Additionally, the name of this person should be readily available to you via notice boards or other common communication mechanisms.
- If you are unsure who represents you, contact your Supervisor or the Line Manager who will inform you.
- Alternatively, you can find out this information by looking at the Accountabilities and Responsibilities Matrix - a copy of which is in the OHS&IM Manual.
Persons whose normal job has a management safety role as part of their job description.
- Without exception, this person is your direct Line Supervisor or Manager.
- You should report any hazards or perceived risks to this person. They have a duty of care to act upon your information.
- If you do not believe you are getting satisfaction from communicating with your Line Manager, then contact your Health and Safety Representative (see above).
What would you want to report to either safety representative?
There are many safety issues that you may wish to raise such as:
- a hazard such as a dangerous work practice, or repetitive causing strain
- a hazard such as faulty equipment, electrical wear and tear
- processes that are causing stress or strain
- concern over work practices of a work colleague
- an idea to improve a process
- fumes, excessive noise, harassment or bullying
Reporting a hazard/risk/problem/issue:
The preferred way of reporting a hazard is to write it on the hazard register that is available to you. If this is inappropriate for the problem, simply inform (verbal or in writing) either your Line Manager/Supervisor or your health and safety representative person. They will document the issue and follow through according to the problem. You are likely to be requested to assist in the problem solving/risk assessment process. Records of all such activities shall be kept.
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