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At the end of September this year (2003), all businesses and employers in NSW are required to have implemented the risk management requirements the OHS Act 2000.

The regulations require all businesses to have undertaken risk management for hazards in their workplace that may arise from work activities and that have the potential to harm employees and any other person at that workplace, including visitors and contractors.

Furthermore, an employer has an obligation to identify all foreseeable hazards in their workplace and do something about them. Additionally the employer is required to undertake a risk assessment that ensures that the hazard is identified, assessed and controlled.

It is not enough to just identify hazards, an employer’s first priority is to try to eliminate the risk altogether. If this is not reasonably practical, then action must be taken to do something to eliminate or control the hazard before it has the chance to cause injury and illness. This is risk control. It is an employer’s responsibility to ensure that all measures are taken to eliminate or control risks to health and safety, and are properly used and maintained.

In addition to employers, the Act extends and places a general obligation of ‘duty of care’ to others including:

• suppliers of equipment and plant;
• employees and
• the person or people who has control of premises.

The control of premises means any person who is involved in the control of the premises and not necessarily limited to their level of associated activities. Such persons can include:

• building owners;
• managers;
• property owners and
• landlords.

The key to implementing a responsible OH&S plan is to adopt a holistic Risk Assessment and Management based methodology. This is where CETEC can help you in preventing accidents, incidents, injuries and work related ill health.

CETEC has extensive experience in Risk Management that involves assessing the harm of hazards in the work place. The process involves:

1. Identifying any foreseeable hazard - anything in the workplace that has potential to harm anyone at the workplace.
2. Assessing the risk from the hazard - finding out how significant the risk is.
3. Eliminating the hazard or if this is not possible, controlling the risk from the hazard - implementing strategies to eliminate or control the hazard.
4. Reviewing risk assessment – to monitor and improve control measures and find safer ways of doing things.

In particular, CETEC can help employers take reasonable care to identify hazards arising from (but not limited to):

• Atmosphere and work environment;
• Exposure to noise, heat, cold, vibration, radiation and static electricity;
• The use of plant and equipment;
• Hazardous substances and processes;
• Presence of asbestos;
• Slipping, tripping and fall prevention;
• Physical working environment and
• Biological hazards.

The question you need to ask as an employer or even as the owner of a business, is what is the potential for harm? If you have any concerns and need a free consultation, contact Phil Limberg, CETEC Senior Consultant and NSW Manager.