Keeping records Keeping records of the risk management process demonstrates what you have done to comply with the WHS Act and WHS Regulations. It also helps when undertaking subsequent risk management activities, including reviewing your control measures. Keeping records of the risk management process has the following benefits. It: allows you to demonstrate how decisions about controlling risks were made assists in targeting training at key hazards provides a basis for preparing safe work procedures allows you to more easily review risks following any changes to legislation or business activities, and demonstrates to others (regulators, investors, shareholders, customers) that work health and safety risks are being managed. The detail and extent of recording will depend on the size of your workplace and the potential for major work health and safety issues. It is useful to keep information on: the identified hazards, assessed risks and chosen control measures (including any hazard checklists, worksheets and assessment tools used in working through the risk management process) how and when the control measures were implemented, monitored and reviewed who you consulted with relevant training records, and any plans for changes. There are specific record-keeping requirements in the WHS Regulations for some hazards, such as hazardous chemicals, plant and equipment. If such hazards have been identified at your workplace, you must keep the relevant records for the time specified. You should ensure that everyone in your workplace is aware of record-keeping requirements, including which records are accessible and where they are kept.
In order to gather advice and information from the team, the Safety Manager asked questions and shared the responses by writing them on a whiteboard or butchers paper, as shown in Table 4. Table 4 Example 1: Questions asked by the Safety Manager and responses What hazards are encountered when doing the task? What risks do these pose to health and safety? How are these risks currently controlled? Plant Truck Compressor and pressure hose Truck—faulty truck could cause accident and cause injuries to workers and others Compressor and pressure hose—faulty fuel line in compressor could cause burns and injuries through fire or explosion Truck and compressor have maintenance schedule Checklist for visual inspection for plant before it leaves depot Reporting and tagging system for defective plant Manual handling Loading and unloading the compressor Carrying the compressor to and from the toilet block Sweeping water to dry the floor Heavy load, awkward, sustained postures and repetitive actions can cause sprains, strains, back injuries or fractures and cuts if dropped on foot Compressor has handles fitted to assist in lifting and carrying Two persons required to lift and carry compressor Only workers who have been trained able to lift and carry compressor Floor sweeping roster Chemical Cleaning agents used to clean toilets and basins Skin irritation, rashes and illness caused by exposure to chemicals and their vapours in confined space Only non-toxic cleaning agents used Gloves provided to avoid skin contact Infection at work Communicable disease Non-communicable infection Contracting an infectious disease such as hepatitis Contracting a bacterial infection Universal precautions plus specific protection for the route of exposure Noise Operating the compressor in a closed space with hard surfaces Hearing loss from prolonged exposure to the noise levels generated by the compressor Hearing protection provided for wearing when hosing out the toilet block Slips, trips and falls Wet floor when hosing out the toilet block Fractures or strains caused by slipping on wet surface Safety boots provided with slip-resistant soles
Appendix D—Risk register Location: Date: Hazard What is the harm that the hazard could cause? What is the likelihood that the harm would occur? What is the level of risk? How effective are the current controls? What further controls are required? Actioned by Date Due Date Complete Maintenance and review