Get On Board With Workplace Health & Safety
The amount of times we have encountered Board Members or Business Owners who are completely in the dark about their obligations regarding WH&S Due Diligence is worrying. Sometimes this occurs because Business Owners or Directors delegate WH&S to those in operational roles and assume that this is enough.
The reality is that everyone is responsible for health and safety in the workplace, but those in Board or senior management roles must have involvement and understanding of their organisations WH&S program. We have touched on this issue many times, but the implications for a business that does not meet its WH&S due diligence often falls on deaf ears. So we thought it was time to break it down to show everyone why it’s so important to stay on top of WH&S.
4 Reasons WH&S Due Diligence Shouldn’t Be Ignored:
- Your compliance is required by law
When it comes down to it, businesses have WH&S obligations, whether they like it or not. The Work Health and Safety Laws require a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of their workers while at work in the business or undertaking. Officers are responsible for meeting WHS due diligence obligations and they will receive penalties if WH&S laws are breached. - It keeps your employees safe
It might seem straightforward, but any business would agree that their employees are paramount to their success, so why would you put them at risk? Even if you are yet to encounter a WH&S issue in your business, it does not mean that your workplace is without risk. Taking the time to ensure that you have considered WH&S in all areas is the best way to keep your business functioning at its highest level and shows employees that you care about their safety. - Saves money in the long run
Many businesses drag their feet with WH&S because they believe it costs them too much time and money to properly integrate into the workplace. The problem is that until they encounter incident or injury in their business, it is hard to get the money saving message across. But any business that has had to deal with the costs of workplace injury or penalties from breaching WH&S legislation will tell you that it is definitely worth it. The cost of penalties and fines vary, but even a simple Category 3 Failure to Comply with WHS duty can cost corporations up to $500,000 and individual PCBU or officers $100,000. Breaches in safety are clearly not taken lightly. - Promotes communication in the workplace
Board members that have little-to-no contact with the everyday workings of the business may struggle to see where safety issues exist. This is why due diligence obligations require board members to ensure that they understand the operations of the business and the WH&S issues which exist. This creates the perfect opportunity to build communication between employer and employee. The benefits of having open communication in all areas of your business are far reaching, it not only keeps miscommunication or error to a minimum but it improves productivity and workplace culture, which should be a goal for any business, large or small.
At HR Business Direction, we can advise Board Members, Employers and Managment on WHS compliance and due diligence. Get in touch with us here
Leisa Messer BBus(HRM); GradDipIR; CAHRI; IRSQ
Managing Director | HR Strategist
leisa.messer@hrbd.com.au
07 3890 2066
www.hrbd.com.au
