DEMONSTRATE YOUR WHS LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT

Personal initiatives of managers in the promotion of WHS improvement should include:

• Setting clear WHS objectives;
• Conducting site visits, safety walks, and participating in WHS activities;
• Participating in WHS audits, inspections, hazard identification and incident investigations;
• Encouraging accountability for WHS issues;
• Putting WHS first on the agenda at meetings;
• Participating in, and chairing, WHS meetings;
• Promoting WHS initiatives;
• Encouraging open communication on WHS issues;
• Involving the workforce in addressing WHS issues; and
• Encouraging continuous improvement of WHS issues.

Arrangements should be in place to recognise outstanding WHS performance by your personnel.

Recognition may be made for a specific contribution to WHS (e.g. identifying and rectifying a significant hazard) or for long-term contribution. In addition, recognition may be given to individuals or to teams.

Recognition may be given in a number of ways, such as:

• Monthly Awards
• Praise (e.g. at a meeting of the person’s co-workers);
• A monetary reward;
• A certificate presented by a senior manager;
• A valuable item (e.g. a watch, a pen, a household appliance, etc);
• Other rewards (e.g. a weekend in a hotel or a resort)

Managers should be given guidance on the appropriate recognition for various contributions, so as to ensure a consistent approach throughout the organisation.

In all instances, details of the recognition should be well publicised and communicated to all workers.

Where conflicts exist between WHS objectives and other business objectives, managers should resolve such conflicts so that, as far as reasonably practicable, outcomes are consistent with the organisation’s WHS Policy.