Safety Matters - Rail, Tram and Bus Union of NSW

• the requirement for examination and review of occupational health and
safety performance
• that the principle of good occupational health and safety management and
effective quality management are complementary
Characteristics of an Unsafe Work Culture
• Lack of concern or control – managers and supervisors may be unconcerned
or attach low priority to health and safety. This may lead to a lack of due
care and minimal control over OHS issues, which in turn, affects employee
attitudes and actions.
• Employee fault – managers and supervisors may consider health and safety
problems in terms of the employee being uncooperative or at fault. The
tendency to blame people for health and safety problems does not effectively
manage them.
• Unsafe systems – the failire of management to adequitaly supervise or
manage acceptebale health and safety levels.
The initial conflict between OHS expectations and practice may be dealt
with by gradually adapting to unsafe workplace practices.
• Poor employer-employee relations – an unsafe workplace may be the result
of poor relations between the employer and employee.
Characteristics of a Safe Work Culture
• Management concern and control – management has ultimate responsibility
for OHS. It demonstrates appropriate duty of care and concerns itself with
all aspects of workplace health and safety. There is an OHS policy that is
displayed publicly and there is adequate training and supervision.
• Employee due care and cooperation – if the employer is seriously attempting
to meet the right of employees to a safe and healthy workplace, the employee
generally has a good safety awareness and is happy to cooperate with the
employer and not inhibit them in carrying out their responsibility.
• Consultation – employees can only cooperate effectively if there is appropriate
consultation with management. These two concepts are mutually reinforcing
– effective consultation leads to improved employer ability to ensure health
and safety through employee cooperation, which in turn helps to develop a
safety culture in the workplace.
Safety Matters A Guide for Workplace OHS Representatives
SECTION ONE
RAIL
TRAM AND BUS
7
Workplace Health and Safety
U N
I O N