Far far too long since I update this blog.
I will certainly try to do better from now on.
I am a little excited, the legislation surrounding the delivery of the White Card, or General Safety Induction Training for the construction industry has moved away from online delivery. Not that there is anything wrong with online delivery if it is done well. (and I think we did it well), but as any of you who may have followed my Owner Builder Blog will know, this is often not the case.
Cheap and nasty courses that do not impart any real value, allow the student to develop the required skills and knowledge are generally a rip off, but when they are supposed to impart knowledge and skills which directly affect a persons ability to recognise hazards risk associated with their employment, then they are downright dangerous.
So I applaud the legislators stance, now all they have to do is make it equitable across all states.
Anyway, that is not the purpose of this blog post.
One of the areas I become more and more involved in these days is the education of trade contractors who appreciate the importance of being able to identify and manage risk.
What is risk?
Risk is the potential harm or negative impact that can occur as a result of workplace hazards.
Hazards are those things that can cause harm.
Risk is what could happen.
So in a workplace, a ladder that is poorly used is a hazard.
A fall from heights is the risk.
The likelihood of the risk (falling from heights occurring) will depend on the controls or defences that are put in place to minimise or mitigate the risk.
The second consideration is the severity of the harm that can occur.
By considering both he likelihood and the consequence, we can assign a risk rating.
The purpose of risk identification is to decide on controls and to drive the risk to as low as reasonably practical.
Basic understanding of hazard identification and risk management are fundamental to the required General Safety Induction Training.
Don't short change yourself, your employees and your clients, make certain your training is fit for purpose and meets the needs of your business and does not just tick a box.