Work, Health, and Safety Communication Report
Instructions:
Write a Work Health and Safety Communication Report by researching and answering each question below.
(Minimum: 1000 words)
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each of the four (4) communication methods listed above.
- Identify the industry that you wish to work in and explain which of the four (4) communication methods would work best to deliver WHS information for this business. Explain the reasons for your answer.
For example, Civil engineering companies would not send an email relating to WHS email to on-site workers as they may not have access to read the email. In this case they may choose to communicate at daily ‘tool box talks’ instead.
- List one additional communication method that is NOT listed above that you may use in your industry of choice to communicate WHS information. Explain the reason for your answer.
- Identify which State or Territory you are in and list 4 samples of legislation applicable to your chosen industry. Ensure you include two Commonwealth and two State/Territory forms of legislation from Acts, Regulations & Codes of Practice.
Solution.
Work, Health, and Safety Communication Report
Work, health, and safety in Australia have been improved through the Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy of 2012-2022 (Australia, 2012). The WHS regulations provide detailed requirements to support in the Work, Health and Safety Act. As a team leader, the utmost goal is to communicate the relevant information in these regulations in a meaningful and easy way so that they can understand and be able to access the information. There different ways that one can use to communicating this information to team members.
To begin with, through regular training sessions and demonstrations of the WHS Regulations members will be able to synthesize more details since it is an activity that is scheduled at a given moment and place. Also, demonstration team members will be able to create a mental picture of the relevant details in the WHS regulations. Such a method is better since there is a high probability that the team members will retain WHS Regulation details. However, the cost incurred in funding regular training and demonstrations is more compared to other communication tools that are used in conveying information. Another method that can be used in communicating sensitive placing posters at workplaces and prominent positions around the facility. A poster communicates for itself as the author’s name is not obligatory. Therefore, it is possible to communicate to a broader audience of team members. Also, posters are not time sensitive as information can be delivered any day and any time one passes by a board or at workplaces. Though posters are difficult in making a correction in case of errors. Also, they have to attract attention as they compete with other posters (Pritchard, 2013).
Additionally, as a team leader, integrating relevant details in the WHS in the company policies so that they can be available for the team members to understand in an easy way is one of the best methods. Such a method is beneficial since as employees will adhere to the policies of the company hence understand fully the details contained in WHS. This approach is disadvantageous such that some member to take note of company policies. Therefore, not that much information can be synthesized to all members. Lastly, another method that can be convenient in communicating WHS information is through sending emails, memos, and notices on a regular basis or as updates and changes occur. This type of method is cost effective, fast and easy to access by team members. It also creates room for corrections and updates, unlike a poster. Using memos can be efficient since one needs to hand a member a memo. Also, many employees tend to be keen on any memo that a company issues. Henceforth, information contained in the memo and emails can be delivered to a wider audience at once and be synthesized fully. On the other hand, emails and memos have a disadvantage in that some emails may harm computers, and many people ignore emails when they are piled up.
Small business industries in Australia account for more than 95% of all Australian business. Small business industries are creditworthy for health and safety of approximately 4.8 million workers in the industry. Small business industries can communicate WHS regulations and updates effectively through sending emails. Emailing is one the effective ways that most businesses in Australia use in communicating with each other. Therefore, in the small business industries, it is advisable that WHS information is delivered through e-mails. Additionally, emailing is preferred because it is cheaper to use as a method of communication. Justification of using email is evident in that, most small business has access to the Internet and also take most of their transactions online. Therefore, workers in this sector have regular access to their business emails. WHS information will, therefore, reach out to a larger number of audience. Also, Small business industries can also use social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook to guide workers on how to access online resources as the or WorkCover NSW online and WHS internet site. Most workers in the are using social networking systems in Australia. Therefore, it is advisable to use this medium to communicate and make them access these online resources that contain WHS information. Through social networks WHS information can also be delivered through the use of discussions and forums that take place online. What people can engage is discussions hence many will be able to gain the necessary details required for WHS to be implemented.
In Victoria territory, some regulations and policies apply to small business industry. Small business industries in Victoria is one of the most important industries in the area, and workers and employers have legal rights and duties under the WHS that are related to small business industries. Acts include Dangerous Goods Act 1985 and Equipment (Public Safety) Act 1994. Dangerous Goods Act 1985 Regulations include Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2012 and Dangerous Goods (HCDG) Regulations 2005 (Work Safe Victoria, 2016). The Dangerous Goods Act 1985 entails that small business must have a permit to sell hazardous substances. The law defines hazardous substances as corrosive, explosive, toxic, water-reactive and flammable. Regulations are put forth on how these dangerous goods can be handled and stored. A good example of such regulation is the Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations. Equipment (Public Safety) Act of 1994 entails that safety must prevail at equipment sites and the equipment itself. The regulation implementing this law is the Equipment (Public Safety) Regulation of 2007 (Work Safe Victoria, 2016).
Conclusively, WHS sensitizations are essential in achieving the Australian Work Health and Safety
Strategy 2012-2022. Effective communication is the key to making the parties
involved in gaining necessary information about the requirement of WHS.
Therefore, this report will enable team leaders in communicating essential
information about WHS and make it easier for the team leaders to integrate what
is required of the WHS. All states and
territories in Australia have at least regulations and cats that comply to WHS
in which it provides for each industry in the country. WHS is important for
workers and employers as they create a better and an understanding relationship
at workplaces.
References
Australia, S. W. (2012). Australian Work Health and Safety Strategy 2012-2022. Healthy, Safe and Productive Working Lives.
Pritchard, C. (2013). The Project Management Communications Toolkit. Artech House.
Woods Jr, R. H. (2002). How Much Communication is Enough in Online Courses?-Exploring The Relationship between Frequency of Instructor-initiated Personal E-mail and Learners’ Perceptions of and Participation in Online Learning. International Journal of Instructional Media, 29(4), 377.
Work Safe Victoria. (2016, July 6). Laws and Regulations. Retrieved from Work Safe Victoria: http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/laws-and-regulations/acts-and-regulations