Discover the top safety mistakes labour hire agencies often make. Avoid them to improve compliance and protect your workers.
A logistics company in Melbourne hired short-term workers for a warehouse project. Later, a worker who wasn’t familiar with safety procedures got hurt while using a forklift.
As a labour hire company, you and the host employer are responsible for ensuring all workers are safe. Ensuring Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) is both a legal and ethical responsibility. Getting ISO 45001 compliance can help you meet these obligations by providing a blueprint for reducing safety risks.
But a lot of agencies have trouble managing safety. Outdated tools like spreadsheets and disconnected systems are prone to mistakes like missing risk assessments and insufficient safety training.
In this article, we’ll highlight common safety mistakes and offer practical solutions. By the end, you’ll understand how to avoid safety pitfalls and improve your WHS systems.
Mistake 1: Skipping Worker Induction
Not providing proper induction puts workers at risk. Take Jake, an electrician hired for a short-term job. He received a basic orientation but wasn’t informed about specific hazards, leading to an injury. Proper induction reduces accidents and ensures ISO 45001 compliance.
Mistake 2: Skipping Pre-Placement Risk Assessments
Neglecting risk assessments before placing workers creates safety risks. You must evaluate hazards such as machinery or dangerous materials before sending workers out, which is essential for ISO 45001 compliance.
Mistake 3: Not Monitoring Host Employers
Once workers are placed, you must continue monitoring host employers for safety. Work environments change quickly, and ongoing inspections help you spot new risks and maintain safety standards.
Mistake 4: Failing to Verify Worker Competency
Ensure workers have the right qualifications and training before placement, especially in high-risk industries. Verify skills and provide updated training on equipment and safety procedures.
Mistake 5: Lack of Communication with Host Employers
Maintaining open communication with host employers is crucial. Regular discussions about risks and safety updates keep everyone informed and compliant.
Mistake 6: Failing to Reassess Safety Conditions
Workplace conditions change over time, making reassessments necessary. Regularly reviewing safety helps catch new hazards before they cause incidents.
Mistake 7: Ignoring Worker Consultation
It’s important to talk to your staff about health and safety. They can help you figure out what risks might be there and make sure that safety steps are being followed. Getting them involved also makes the safety culture better and makes sure that everyone is responsible for keeping the place safe. Weighing in with them on a regular basis can help you spot risks early and make processes safer.
Mistake 8: Overlooking Site-Specific Risks
Every site has its own risks. Customize your safety procedures to fit the hazards of each location instead of using general rules. This ensures you’re addressing real dangers specific to the site. By focusing on site-specific risks, you keep your workers safer and reduce accidents.
Mistake 9: Not Having Clear Reporting Processes
Make it easy for people to report events and close calls. That way, you can act quickly, avoid more accidents, and follow ISO 45001. Make sure everyone knows who to call and how to report issues. Clear reporting keeps everyone safe at work.
Mistake 10: Relying on Outdated Systems
Using old tools like spreadsheets makes it take longer to respond to safety concerns and raises the risk of harm. It’s easier to handle safety when you use an integrated system like FocusIMS, and you can stay in line with ISO 45001. You’ll be able to handle problems more quickly and keep your team safe.
Conclusion
Labour hire agencies shape the course of worker safety. Avoiding common safety mistakes labour hire agencies make is the sine qua non of compliance and worker protection. By addressing issues like inadequate risk assessments and verifying worker competency, agencies can minimise accidents and legal liabilities.
To keep your workplace safe and healthy, you need to look over your current safety measures. If you’re still using spreadsheets, you might want to switch to an integrated option. FocusIMS and other tools can make it easier to achieve compliance, help you reach your safety goals, and meet ISO 45001 standards, which will make the workplace safer overall.
Book a discovery meeting to learn how we can help you avoid accidents and legal risks.