WHS risk reductions

Posted by SkillMaker in Nov, 2014

What are WHS risk reductions?

Risk reduction is an integral part of WHS Management. The need to meet legislative requirements and the recognition that risk management is good practice in any workplace. An effective WHS Management program is an integral part of any successful organisation. It ensures that the health and safety needs of your employees are properly addressed

What is the purpose of WHS risk reductions?

Reduced injuries and illnesses,
Compliance with WHS legislation,
Reduced workers compensation costs,
Reduced employee turnover and improved morale,
Improved operational efficiency,
Better corporate governance,
Increased stakeholder confidence

WHS risk reduction guidelines are created to preserve the welfare of workers and people that are currently located in an establishment or structure. Risk reduction guidelines are created to reduce injuries, to comply with existing legislation, to reduce employee turnover and increase morale, to improve efficiency in operations, improve management governance and improve confidence in company shareholders.

What are the different types of WHS risk reductions?

The types of hazard identification and risk assessment methods commonly utilised in the disability sector include:

Client initial intake assessments – these are assessments intended for clients of a business or organization.
Client risk profiles – these are assessments of the risks of clients as they perform business activities in a business or organization
Client home assessments – these are assessments for the client to perform at home
Workplace inspections – internal and external assessments of the workplace for risks to safety and well-being of workers and people in the establishment
Venue assessments – these are assessments for the venue of an event
Activity assessments – these are assessments for the location of an activity as well as the safety of the activities to be performed.
Task analysis or risk assessment for equipment and jobs undertaken in Disability Enterprises – these are assessments for the safety and well-being of the participants of a certain task or activity.

What are the components or elements of a WHS risk reduction strategy?

There are a number of tools to ensure good risk management practices. Different industries and businesses may have a particular risk reduction tool that may be used to avert dangerous situations, injuries and effects to health and well-being of employees and other people in an establishment.

Incident report form – these are forms where immediate incidents are reported to regulators.
Hazard report form – these are forms where health and safety hazards are reported to regulators
Regular workplace inspections – both internal and external; these are forms where results of an inspection are written, these would be reported to a regulator
Pre-use venue inspections – these forms contain the results of the result of a venue inspection
Host employer workplace inspections – these forms contain the results of an inspection done by a host employer in his workplace.

Risk reduction forms should be completed and submitted according to the time frame provided by the regulator or the authority asking for the report. The success or the failure of an event, business undertaking or safety of a workplace, etc. may depend on the results of a risk reduction report.

What terms are used when determining WHS risk reduction?

Risk can be defined as the chance of something happening that will impact upon objectives. Risk is inherent in life and everything we do involves risk. Risk may have positive or negative outcomes, resulting in either an opportunity or a loss for a business.
Risk management is the way in which adverse effects from risk are managed and potential opportunities are realised. The potential effect of a failure to address a safety issue may affect the level or type of risk experienced in all areas of the organisation. It is essential that all risk management processes and systems complement one another, fit within the organization’s culture and work in synergy towards the same goals.
Good risk management means ensuring that there is a good match between an applicant or worker and the job they will undertake.