What does the board need to know about Work Health Safety?

Duty of Officers,  Section 27 of the Work Health Safety Act 201

Do you report WHS activity to the board or any other form of "Officers"?
With the first anniversary of the introduction of the WHS Act rapidly approaching it is a good time to review what you report and whether is assists the officers meet their obligations.

What are the obligations?

Under Section 27 (1) Duty of Officers.  -->

An officer….must exercise due diligence to ensure that the person conducting the business or undertaking complies with that (WHS) duty or obligation.

Due diligence includes:

• acquire & keep up to date knowledge of WHS matters,
• understanding the nature of operations & generally of the associated hazards and risks. 
• ensure PCBU has available:
•  and uses appropriate resources & processes to eliminate or minimise WHS risks. 
• appropriate processes for receiving and considering information regarding incidents, hazards and risks and responding to them in a timely way.
• and implements, processes for complying with any duty or obligation under the WHS Act.
• The officers Verifying the provision and use of resources.

 Now is the time to review your reporting to boards and senior management. 

It is also important that the board are offered the opportunity to understand the WHS risks associated with the business operations. Don't just put it on paper give a presentation or have an expert deliver it. It need only be 15 minutes plus question time.

Check what information is provided to the board by people from other areas of risk or/and quality. This may provide a great opportunity to commence integrating risk operations.

 Work Risk Solutions can help put the presentation together and help deliver it if required.

Send an email to david@workrisksolutions.com.au for more information.