COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of safety in all workplaces. Naturally this year, Safe Work Australia’s National Safety month focused on Australia’s Work Health & Safety through COVID-19.
Safe Work Australia is responsible for Australia’s Work Health and Safety which is closed linked to worker’s compensation industry. Safe Work run a national safe work month in October every year to raise awareness for the importance of WHS in the workplace.
This October 2020, the awareness for WHS is even more critical due to the effects of COVID-19 and it’s impact on Australian businesses. Workplaces have had to quickly adapt their practices and procedures to reduce the WHS risks arising from COVID-19 and to manage the psychological effects of the pandemic on workers.
Transparency and approachableness within the workplace is critical now, more so then ever. WHS impacts workers, their families, and the broader community through a ripple effect. This October, it is important to not only focus on the physical factors that could cause harm in the workplace but also the psychological. Focusing on the holistic essence of WHS will encourage open communication in the workplace and conquer any safety discrepancies by giving staff control of the Megaphone, metaphorically speaking.
Icare’s Injury Prevention Team liaised with the Mid North Coast Local Health District to develop a staff Safety Culture Survey. The survey’s purpose is to understand staff perspective and allow them to share their thoughts on hazardous manual tasks and managing the risks of vicarious trauma. The survey also focuses on the workers psyche, diving into five key elements of safety culture to provide an insight of how workforce culture influences safety behaviours, both physically and psychologically.
From here, an action plan was implemented based on insights provided with the aim to translate safety policies and values into lasting behavioural and cultural changes. The adoption of a more holistic approach can positively contribute to a more transparent workplace, especially during the hardships of COVID-19.
Please refer to Safe Work Australia’s National Safe Work Month for more information on how to get your workplace involved and committed to keeping people safe and healthy at work.
For further information, please refer to the articles below.
Source: icare
Title: Changing safety culture can save lives
Read time: 5 minutes
Source: SafeWork Australia
Title: About National Safe Work Month
Read time: 10 minutes