Safety Matters - Rail, Tram and Bus Union of NSW

Incident/accident investigations
Many workplaces have a set of procedures for reporting and investigating
hazards and circumstances that contribute to incidents/accidents.
Consultation
Mechanisms in the workplace to identify hazards and bring them to the
attention of those responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace. OHS
committees or representatives are examples of workplace consultation.
Other agreed arrangements for consultation such as work meetings, quality
circles and total quality management philosophies, provide a variety of forums
in which employees can raise OHS issues and concerns.
Records
Workplaces are required to keep records on injuries, illness and incidents/
accidents.
Information about near hits can be very helpful in identifying hazards and
preventing potential harm or damage. Registers of hazardous substances, plant
or injury are also useful.
Many workplaces generate reports and statistics based on workers compensation
claims. These statistics can be analysed to alert the organisation to the presence
and frequency of hazards in the workplace.
Environmental and health monitoring
As with OHS audits, monitoring may be undertaken by OHS professionals
to provide technical advice about suspected problems. Monitoring may help
in deciding whether a substance or process is a hazard and, if so, the level
of risk involved. In this way, monitoring is not only associated with hazard
identification, but also with workplace assessment and control measures.
Environmental monitoring measures the hazards present in the workplace
environment, whereas health monitoring considers exposure of the individual.
Hazards may also be identified through the less formal process of incidental
identification. This includes observations and complaints.
Safety Matters A Guide for Workplace OHS Representatives
SECTION TWO
RAIL
TRAM AND BUS
41
Monitoring OHS Programs and Procedures
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