Worksafe Preview
Have you reviewed your health and safety program recently? A healthy and safe workforce is a cornerstone in the success of your business and a well-planned program supports that goal. A health and safety program helps you to:
- Prevent injuries and disease
- Promote a positive health and safety culture
- Identify and control hazards in the workplace
- Limit financial losses from injuries, disease, and increased costs
Every workplace is different, and aspects of your program may depend on the size of your business. However, every program must include the following components to be effective:
- Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policy – Your policy is a statement of your commitment to a healthy and safe workplace. Include the aims and priorities of the program, and outline the responsibilities of employers, supervisors, and workers in supporting the program. Post it prominently in the workplace and review it annually to see if any changes need to be made.
- Orientation and training – Orient new workers before they begin a new job. Demonstrate the task and supervise them to see that they understand safe work procedures and the health and safety guidelines. If you have workers returning after procedures or equipment have changed, be sure to provide training for them, too.
- Written instructions ensure consistent work habits. Present the information simply and clearly, and consider the language requirements of your workers. For high-risk activities like lockout, confined space entry, and working alone, you must have written procedures.
- Regular inspections – Inspections help to spot potential problems such as the hazards of a particular location or poor condition of equipment and tools. Schedule them often enough to prevent unsafe working conditions from developing. Use a checklist to ensure your inspections are thorough and consistent.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Make sure the appropriate PPE is available to all workers and that workers are trained in its use.
- Incident investigations – Investigate incidents and “near misses.” Correct any issues to identify what needs to be changed to prevent future events.
- Health and safety meetings – All workplaces benefit from regular health and safety meetings. Small businesses may only need short, informal chats to share concerns or questions, while larger businesses might hold more structured events. Keep a record of each meeting, including who attended and what was discussed.
- First aid – Timely and effective treatment can reduce the severity of work-related injuries. First aid requirements vary, depending on the hazards and risks of each workplace, the travel time to the nearest hospital, and the number of workers.
- Record keeping – Written records of training, first aid incidents, inspections, and safety meetings are part of due diligence. They also provide helpful details to assess to the success of your health and safety plan, and suggest ways to strengthen it. Some records are required by the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and can act as supporting documentation if an incident occurs.
- Emergency response plan – Create a plan for workplace emergencies such as fires, explosions, chemical spills, or natural disasters to ensure employees understand how to respond effectively in an emergency.
These resources help you meet the requirements of an effective health and safety plan:
- Health and Safety for Wineries and Vineyards
- How to Implement a Formal Occupational Health and Safety Program
- Small Business Health & Safety Log Book
- Small Business Primer
Find these resources and information about the OHS Regulation at worksafebc.com/health-safety.