How to keep your small business team safe at work
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in those industries with the highest rates of injuries, 43% are small business workers. They include construction, agriculture, mining, transport, manufacturing, and warehousing.
But Australian small businesses can do more to minimise the risks of employees becoming injured at work. Those that adopt best practices enjoy these benefits:
Increased productivity
Slimmer insurance premiums
Fewer employees off work because of illness
Stronger employee morale and retention
Minimised costs to train replacement staff
However, in its new workplace health and safety strategy for the next decade, Safe Work Australia acknowledges the challenges that small businesses face in reducing the risks of injury. The organisation says a robust approach need not be costly or complicated.
Safe Work Australia says small businesses in particular want clearer guidance on their responsibilities. So here are our tips to reduce the confusion.
Identifying hazards in the workplace
Maybe you’ve noted a risk or near miss or an employee has reported an issue. Think historical slips, trips and falls too. If so, observe staff doing the risky work-related tasks, seek insights into any issues and why they need solving. Be open to suggestions as to how.
Keep these in mind:
The seriousness of the risk and possible injuries
Effectiveness of the current control measures in place, if any
Possible actions to minimise the risk level
Urgency of risk management.
Developing & rolling out safer work systems
Business Queensland offers this guidance for creating and implementing your workplace health and safety systems:
Secure your managers’ commitment
Consult with your staff
Set out and refine your safe work procedures
Build in training (and refreshers) and supervision
Determine your risk management approach
Have a process for reporting near misses, incidents and accidents, plus what should happen afterwards
Understand your obligations under workers’ compensation laws and return-to-work programs.
Consider physical and psychosocial risks involving work as well as for those who are based remotely or travelling on the job. Psychosocial risks are ones that could harm someone’s mental health. Tackle the full gamut, including with policies and procedures, for:
Working early and leaving late
Working in isolation, alone or at night
Work requiring travel
Remote work and being based at home for work
Workplace harassment and bullying.
Examples of risk control measures
As part of a detailed risk management plan, here are some typical risk control measures you might wish to include:
Shorter shifts or longer rest breaks for staff
Move a work process to a less-crowded area
Modify a work process to minimise the injury risk
Determine which roles and employees are most at risk and give them extra onsite training and support
Clearly sign the workplace area to remind staff of the risks
Offer bonuses or incentives for implementing safe work practices
Practice emergency drills.
Your WHS duties
As a small business operator or owner, you will be the PCBU, ‘a person conducting a business or undertaking’. Therefore, you have the primary duty of care to others undertaking work on your site, in transit or remotely, as well as visitors affected by that activity.
Safe Work Australia lists PCBU’s duties as being reasonably practical in ensuring:
A safe work environment
Plant and structures are safe and maintained
Safe work systems
Plant, structures and substances are used, handled and stored safely
Amenities, such as washrooms, lockers, and dining areas are accessible and up to standard
Relevant training, instruction, information and supervision
Workers’ health and conditions in the workplace are monitored
Premises or accommodation you own are maintained suitably for workers’ safety
The Model WHS laws are set by Safe Work Australia. However, each state and territory implement them as their own laws to make them binding, so be sure to check what applies in your area. Find the full list of regulators here.
Check your workers’ comp insurance
Each State and Territory also set down their own laws about workers’ compensation, which is compulsory for all employers. That’s whether your staff are full-time, part-time, casual, an apprentice or have a written or oral service contract with you.
Workers’ compensation helps protect workers suffering a work-related injury or disease. They may be entitled to weekly benefits, medical and hospital expenses, rehabilitation, particular personal items and a lump sum if permanently impaired, says the Insurance Council of Australia.
Your insurance premium is typically based on:
The collective wages amount you pay your employees
The sector in which your business operates
Your company’s claims history
Let us guide you on the best-fit options for your business whether you need to review or take out a new policy.