How can the effectiveness of the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) management system be enhanced? By developing a culture of worker consultation and participation within the organisation.

Under the new ISO 45001 standard, you cannot simply tell your workforce what the health and safety processes and procedures are.

The most important thing to consider is how to get people to cooperate and engage with an OH&S management system. The answer: when their opinions and knowledge have been aired and listened to.

Therefore, an organisation should encourage active and ongoing participation of, and consultation with, workers. This includes in the development and review of OH&S practices and, where appropriate, the development of the OH&S management system.

Employees must take ownership, challenge, and actively participate in improving health and safety and the OH&S management system. Likewise, organisations must provide a platform to do so, here are some activities that can support you in achieving this:

1. Establishing a safety committee consisting of managerial and non-managerial employees.
2. Implementing a suggestion box scheme.
3. Developing a consultative approach to health and safety inspections/audits, affording all workers an opportunity to voice any health and safety concerns.
4. Host health and safety conferences and events.
5. Ask people affected by an OH&S illness/injury to do a presentation.
6. Monthly meetings and toolbox talks.
7. Undertaking risk assessments in conjunction with other workers, such as operatives, cleaners, contractors, etc.
8. Regular briefings and discussion forums via newsletters, message boards, social media, etc.

You should ensure that processes for consultation and participation of workers include contractors and other interested parties also.

If you would like to know more about ISO 45001 and other management system standards Compliant FM are happy to provide you with a consultation to discuss your requirements.

Compliant FM’s policies and procedures ensure operations are completed to the highest possible standard.

We ensure that all employees are accountable and understand what they are responsible for, what is expected of them, and what they can expect from their supervisors and co-workers. This enables them up to carry out their job with confidence and excellence.