Health and safety is so incredibly important in the Australian workplace and if rules are not followed then people can get hurt and can even lose their lives. It is the law here in Australia to provide a safe and hygienic workplace for all of your employees and as an employer, this is something that you should be taking very seriously indeed. Not only is it your responsibility to protect your employees but also your customers and anyone else who comes into your business premises.
It is likely that you hire a third-party vendor to come onto your property and perform a myriad of things that need to be done like getting the windows professionally cleaned, getting the roof checked and day-to-day things that allow a business to function. If anyone is up there on your roof or moving around the outside of the building at a great height then you need to make sure that there is a roof anchor in place and that roof anchor certifications are valid and up-to-date.
Health and safety has become a dirty word here in Australia because people feel that it is holding them back but the following are just some of the ways that you can promote a safer and better workplace.
- Always have a written policy - If you employ five or more people then you must have a written policy setting out best practices when it comes to health and safety. It gives details of who exactly is responsible for health and safety in your business and it will outline everything that you have done up until this point to keep your staff safe.
- Conduct up-to-date training - Health and safety should be part of the induction process for every new employee and you should not be afraid to update your long-term employees as well. Health and safety needs to be reviewed at all times when you bring up new policies, or the government puts any in place.
- Invest in safety equipment - In order for your staff to do their jobs properly, you as the employer need to invest in any equipment that they need to lower the risks of hurting themselves while on the job.
As the owner of the company, it is your job to lead your staff and to show them the way when it comes to good health and safety practices today and always.
