Work Method Statements and their Role in Occupational Health and Safety

January 26th, 2012

A gung ho attitude has no place in any work place, as the well-being of workers is not a matter to be taken lightly. Hence, having a Work Method Statement just isn’t enough. Each and every employer need to set up an extensive document that satisfies the legal requirements and actually ensures the safety and health of everybody in the workplace.

A small business enterprise has several facets. It can be a provider of merchandise as well as services for the community. It’s also a profit generator for the business owners. An equally important role of the business is that of an employer, which has a responsibility to help keep it’s workforce safe and sound within the work environment.

The significance of occupational health and safety cannot be stressed enough. Any individual should certainly not have to risk life and limb whilst at the workplace. There are lots of of ways of making certain the well-being of personnel. A variety of safety programs might be introduced which includes basic safety education, supervision along with regular inspection.

Ohs policy and procedures could also help raise awareness among employees, which often can reduce workplace injuries and deaths. Importance of Work Method Statements A Work Method Statement is a set of directions to help you prevent unnecessary dangers for people whilst in the place of work. Whether it’s laying down directions on the usage of equipment or providing the correct process of a specific task, a Work Method Statement can certainly considerably decrease incidents of injuries and fatalities at work.

More often than not, gov departments focusing on occupational health and safety require business employers to produce and put into action a Work Method Statement. Having Work Method Statements in place is generally required before a small business can operate.

The absence of the necessary ohs policies and procedures usually leads to penalties. Occasionally, it can lead to suspensions and even cessation of business operations. The real reason for these sactions is clear: without having these measures, the government may incur charges in the form of medical treatments or social security payments for injured staff. Even with no government mandate, it’s incumbent on any company to create work method statements for every task performed and equipment used at work.

Fostering a safe work place impacts not only the workers and their families, but the company’s customers, suppliers, and nearby communities too. Having a set of work method statements can also serve as a constant reminder to employers to make safety important. For personnel, it could affect behaviour on the job by making them a lot more conscious of their own well-being. For the business in general, it could possibly cultivate a culture which values safety above anything else. Crafting an Effective Work Method Statements It appears simple to produce a work method statement.

Nevertheless, it’s not as easy as it looks. It requires addressing important issues. Are the instructions comprehensive enough to allow the safe performance of a task or use of a certain equipment? Does it include instructions on the steps to take before and after operation? Does it talk about the required personal protective equipment a employee has to put on or have? Does it consist of specific directions on what the education and supervision of workers are conducted? Is it frequently updated to meet the most recent regulatory or legislative requirements? All of these questions should be considered to achieve one goal: to ensure the worker’s safety all the time.