| With the spate of government legislation | | | | employers implement safe OH&S practices, |
| governing occupational health and safety issues | | | | much of this danger is eliminated resulting in the |
| over the last few years, the management in | | | | employers bargaining position being strengthened. |
| every company has become acutely aware of | | | | - Although government bodies will enforce |
| their responsibilities. What was once considered an | | | | OH&S requirements with punitive measures, |
| optional process has now become mandatory and | | | | they are also obliged to offer an educative role. |
| any organisation that treats this issue lightly is | | | | This means that employers will have as much |
| heading for a fall. | | | | assistance as they need to implement the |
| Worrying will get you nowhere. You need to take | | | | required policies and the bird may not be as |
| action. This article will give you six motivational | | | | heavy as it originally appears. |
| factors that will take you into gear and get you | | | | The general thrust of OH&S is to benefit |
| out of the worry zone. | | | | workers and employers alike. Safety in the work |
| - Employers and directors of companies, | | | | place is really a natural progression when you |
| depending on the State laws applicable, can | | | | consider that safety campaigns have been |
| become personally liable if they are judged to be | | | | offered by governments in many other areas |
| negligent in relation to OH&S. Although the | | | | including driving and sporting activities. |
| threat of jail is not necessarily a great motivator, | | | | In a progressive society, we are reluctant to |
| the consequences are serious enough for any | | | | retreat to any element of Dickensian times where |
| manager to want to avoid this at all cost. | | | | workers were treated as mere tools and were |
| - The OH&S legislation package is designed | | | | placed in conditions of extreme danger. The flow |
| to eliminate potential dangerous activities in the | | | | on effect of this practice was felt not just in the |
| workplace. In its own right, this should be | | | | working classes but right across society in general. |
| sufficient reason for employers to implement | | | | The costs incurred through unsafe work practices |
| appropriate safety measures in the workplace. | | | | are passed on to everyone in society. Hospitals |
| - With the rising costs of workers compensation | | | | and local medical services are left to provide |
| claims and the subsequent passing on of those | | | | treatment to workers exposed to dangerous |
| costs by way of increased premiums, employers | | | | conditions and this further in packs upon hospital's |
| have a financial responsibility to contain these | | | | capacity to deal with other medical issues. |
| costs as much as possible. Better safety practices | | | | Employers need to embrace the changes and |
| in the workplace make good financial sense. | | | | improve staff training to address all the necessary |
| - Insurance companies are always eager to avoid | | | | issues for the benefit of workers and |
| claims in respect of public liability. When this | | | | management alike. All organisations must now |
| occurs, employers can find themselves the | | | | provide proper safety induction and training |
| subject of a common-law claim. By adhering to | | | | opportunities for their employees – which |
| sensible OH&S principles, an employer can | | | | costs money and time to develop and deliver. |
| avoid this situation. | | | | Training management software is a good ally for |
| - As a bargaining tool, some classes of employees | | | | managers of all industries to train staff about |
| are able to negotiate higher rates of pay when | | | | better OH&S and minimise the risk of future |
| working in dangerous occupations. Where | | | | claims and compensations. |