What is the health and safety goal?

Health and safety is about protecting your employees, contractors, clients, and members of the general public. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1974, you have a duty of care, but following it is also wise business management. Businesses that break the law lose employees and have reduced profitability.

Human harm or loss at work is unacceptable, so workplace health and safety are crucial for everyone's health and well-being. An employer who loses an employee to an accident doesn't want to be accused of corporate manslaughter.

Employer's obligations

To avoid heavy fines for health and safety violations, it is critical that HR consultants, line managers, and SMBs regularly review changes and updates to legislation to ensure they stay on course and stay in good books. Employers are required to take all measures to protect everyone associated with their business.

Ensuring a safe workplace

Workplace health and safety is a team effort. Employees also have certain responsibilities. But your job as an employer is to keep your workplace safe for your employees.

This effectively means that you must ensure that your employees are protected.

Offices often recommend marking emergency exits and training staff in what to do in case of fire or accident.

5 reasons to develop a health and safety plan:

1. Compliance. Every business must meet the requirements in order to operate. Under HSWA2015, a company's primary responsibility is to ensure the health and safety of its employees and others affected by its operations. An occupational health and safety plan ensures that you comply with legal obligations.

2. Risk reduction. Health and safety risks arise from people being exposed to hazards in the workplace. Managing the risks in your health and safety plan will help you take the appropriate steps to prevent injury or death in the workplace. By properly managing your health and safety risks, you protect your workers.

3. helps you get ready. The reality is that incidents and accidents are inevitable. However, whenever you encounter a workplace disaster, having an occupational health and safety plan will allow you to act quickly.

4. Ensures the safety of everyone. Visitors, volunteers, contractors, and all others who enter your workplace are responsible for your company's health and safety. The health and safety plan reassures everyone that you prioritize the safety of everyone who walks through your door. In addition, if an incident occurs, you will be fully prepared for action.

5. Retain staff. By prioritizing the health and safety of your employees, you increase productivity. A strong health and safety plan shows workers that you are committed to keeping them safe. They will feel more valued, motivated, and happy knowing they are cared for at work.

What should be included in a health and safety plan?

An occupational health and safety plan is more than just a document. It is the foundation of how you manage all aspects of health and safety and helps everyone understand how the workplace should work.

Before you make a plan, you should know how your health and safety are currently doing. This can be achieved through an audit or review. After the review, the information gathered can help you set your health and safety priorities for the next 12 months.