Safety Matters - Rail, Tram and Bus Union of NSW

Employer Commitment and Policy
An organisation’s OHS policy is a public statement signed by senior management
expressing commitment and intent to manage OHS responsibilities throughout
the whole organisation. The policy is intended to clearly inform employees,
suppliers, customers and other relevant parties that OHS is an integral part of
all operations.
The formation of an OHS policy assists in the development of a proactive OHS
culture in the organisation.
An OHS policy should:
• state the organisation’s health and safety objectives
• express the employer’s/organisation’s commitment to OHS and continual
improvement in the control of work-related injury and illness
• include a commitment to comply with relevant OHS legislation and with
other requirements to which the organisation subscribes
• be dynamic and relevant to the organisation’s overall vision and objectives
• be appropriate to the nature and scale of the organisation’s OHS risk
• specify the responsibilities of managers, supervisors and employees in
achieving
OHS objectives
• form the basis upon which the OHS programs are established to achieve the
objectives
• allocate appropriate physical and human resources to ensure objectives are
achieved
• be signed or authorised by the most senior person in the organisation
• include an issue and review date
• be documented and communicated throughout the organisation
• be available to interested parties and clearly understood by everyone
• be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant and appropriate to the
organisation.
OHS Programs
OHS programs are the specific activities that the organisation conducts to
achieve the policy objectives and commitment. Programs can be general in nature or
may apply to specific hazards.
Safety Matters A Guide for Workplace OHS Representatives
SECTION TWO
RAIL
TRAM AND BUS
17
Monitoring OHS Programs and Procedures
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