Safe work habits revolve around constantly checking the workplace for hazards and reviewing the OHS procedures in place. This is evident in the worksafe Australia codes of practice but if you are entering a new workplace or re-evaluating an old one, getting health and safety standards right can be challenging.
Therefore it is highly important that a safety audit checklist becomes part of your organisation’s safe work resources, but what does it actually look like? Below are safe work instructions that can form the backbone of a safety checklist in any workplace. Note: this is a generic list and does not account for the different nature of every workplace.
The following safe work practices indicate a compliant workplace:
- The safety risks involved in all jobs have been identified and controlled
- Individual safety procedures have been implemented for these jobs
- Workers have been actively engaged and consulted with during the development of these safety procedures
- The safety procedures are a regular part of daily safe work habits
- Reviews of these procedures are undertaken regularly
The following work practices indicate a semi-compliant workplace:
- Only some of the risks and hazards associated with a job have been identified
- Safety procedures have not been fully implemented
- Workers have had a limited involvement with the development of the safety procedures
- Safety procedures have been developed but are not implemented on a daily basis
- Reviews of the safety procedures are not undertaken
The following work practices indicate a non-compliant workplace that requires immediate action:
- Safety risks and hazards have not been identified for any jobs
- Safety procedures have not been developed or implemented
- Responsibility for safe work practices left solely to the workers
For more industry specific advice on safe work procedures, go to the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland guides and fact sheets resource page.
