Health and safety in sustainable organisational practice
Although every industry has some degree of bureaucratic red tape, health and safety management systems, processes and practice should avoid creating unnecessary complexity and unjustified costs, being as streamlined as possible while maintaining clarity and effectiveness. Streamlined safety processes should contribute to a sustainably profitable and efficient organisation.
Position Statement: Streamlining processes
"The AIHS believes that safety management systems should focus on hazards that have major consequences, however likely they are to occur. Safety efforts should not be distracted by an unwarranted focus on hazards with minor consequences that are less likely to occur."
Health and Safety performance, productivity, data and indicators
Workplace health and safety is often perceived as a burdensome cost without understanding the safety and productivity benefits that the expenditure can create. Good health and safety management is good for business in many ways, including having significant potential to increase productivity. Procrastinating on necessary safety changes can increase the cost and the perception of the burden. The Institute advocates a better understanding of the positive role that good health and safety management plays in creating more productive, profitable and sustainable business and other enterprises.
Business, government and other organisations would greatly benefit from improved data sources, including leading indicators, to measure and benchmark health and safety performance.
Position Statement: Public health and safety reporting and benchmarking
"The Institute advocates the establishment of national health and safety benchmarking which can be used for regular reporting to Commonwealth, State and Territory governments. Consistency with ISO 45001 is desirable to provide a basis for international comparisons and benchmarking."
Community engagement and education
The AIHS believes that all key stakeholders in health and safety, including the health and safety profession, employer groups, not-for-profits, unions, regulators and other government agencies have an obligation to do their part to ensure that their own stakeholders and the wider community are educated about workplace health and safety and to encourage active engagement in reducing risk and harm.
Position Statement: Education and Training needs of non-WHS personnel
"All people at all levels in organisations are required to have an understanding of their health and safety risks and obligations relevant to their role. This is best achieved through induction, information, consultation, training and conversation. The Institute believes that health and safety training should be tailored to the needs of people and roles in order to achieve the best level of safety understanding possible."
Position Statement: Safety governance and leadership of Boards and Senior Management
"The Institute recognises the vital role of Board members and Executives in influencing attitudes to health and safety in workplaces, defining expectations of safe work practices, addressing hazards and risks, setting standards for all involved in the organisation, and providing appropriate structures, incentives and accountabilities. Leadership roles go beyond legal obligation and should include values, ethics and an understanding that healthy and safe work systems contribute positively to successful and sustainable businesses.”