Where to start

Involvement

Under South Australian law, the owner of the business or the Responsible Officer(s) of an incorporated body, is accountable for the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare (OHSW) of workers. This accountability means that responsibilities can be delegated throughout an organisation from senior management and to workers. However, accountability always remains with the Responsible Officer or business owner.

If you are to succeed with the SafeWork Management Program, it's vital that you assign responsibilities at each level of your organisation.

Deciding who should be involved from your organisation during the SafeWork Management Program, is an important decision to be made by the management of your company. This process is no different from assigning normal day to day business responsibilities.

In larger organisations an OHSW Co-ordinator may have the responsibility for planning and co-ordinating the SafeWork Management Program. In other organisations, this may be left up to a senior manager. As OHSW is based on a consultative approach, it is essential to involve both management and workers.

Assigning roles and functions to Managers and Supervisors is essential to the effective implementation of every organisation's OHS system. Managers and supervisors provide the practical assistance in meeting the Responsible Officers' obligations. They allow an organisation to integrate SafeWork into day to day work.

Ultimately your organisation must decide how best to plan and implement the requirements of the SafeWork Management Program and report your progress to the Responsible Officer.

The 'consultative group' referred to in this website is the group of people you involve to plan and implement the SafeWork Incentive in your workplace.

 

A consultative group

The size and structure of your company will determine the nature of management and worker involvement in the group.

• If your company is owner-operated - the Managing Director/Owner.
• If your company has different levels of management - someone from senior management.
• The people who plan and manage the work - such as plant managers and supervisors.
• Elected Health and Safety Representatives - and given the time to participate in the process.
• Contract staff - if you have a high proportion.
• If you have an OHS Committee, this is the logical group to be involved in the process. If you don't, then you need to get the right mix of managers and workers involved with senior management endorsement of their selection and involvement.

Bring together your consultative group and brief them on the SafeWork Management Program.

What the consultative group will achieve

The consultative group will be able to involve management and workers in the SafeWork Management Program Activities to:

• Identify all hazards in your workplace.
• Assess the risks arising from those hazards.
• Implement measures to eliminate or control those risks.
• Provide instruction, training and supervision for your workers.
• Consult with your workers on matters which affect their health, safety and welfare.