Staff are one of, if not the most significant, cost to a business. Our people can be an amazing asset but can also create mayhem and tarnish a company’s reputation, says Safewise director Tracey Murphy.
Choosing the right person for the job is challenging, so it makes sense to retain great staff.
From a health and safety perspective, investing in staff is sensible. We must train our people to meet the required standards. Expecting individuals to know how to perform their tasks without providing instructions or guidelines is unreasonable. A key part of a PCBU’s (person conducting a business or undertaking) primary duty of care is ensuring the provision and ongoing maintenance of safe systems of work. This includes developing and applying processes such as standard operating procedures (SOPs) or safe work method statements (SWMS), among others.
SOPs are detailed instructions on how to carry out a task and often include hazard risk management. SWMS tend to have more comprehensive hazard management, outlining risks for each step and how to control them. SOPs are used across various industries, especially where hazards are static. SWMS are more common in construction or civil works, particularly when hazards and risks are likely to fluctuate.
Providing SOPs ensures that tasks are carried out uniformly by everyone. They should be developed by experienced workers and frequently improved with input from less experienced staff. One understands the job; the other ensures all steps are accounted for. SOPs should be reviewed regularly, and especially after an incident. They can be amended, but there must be a process for this, including retraining. This helps to ensure all staff continue to perform their roles consistently.
Both documents offer a way of informing workers on how to deliver a quality job without causing harm to people or damage to property. This keeps your team safe, fit for work and reduces downtime and rework.
How can Safewise help?
We work with organisations that need more health and safety knowledge, or more time, than they have in-house. For further information, check the website www.safewise.co.nz
Tracey Murphy is the owner and director of Safewise Limited, a health and safety consultancy. She has more than 16 years of experience working with organisations from many different industries. Tracey holds a Diploma in Health and Safety Management and a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health. She is a Professional Member of the New Zealand Institute of Safety Management and is on the HASANZ register.
