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Management responsibilities in H&S

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markspark7
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Management responsibilities in H&S

Post by markspark7 »

Morning all

I've got the following statement on one of my power point presentations but I can't remember wher it came from.

Is it an actual quote from MHSWR or HSWA or something silmilar that I can reference it too??

"A Health & safety practioners prime duty is to promote health & safety.
It Does NOT absorb any of the line management responsibilities for h&s
H&S is NOT an optional extra for managers; it is part of their role, of equal importance as their other duties"

Thanks in advance
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Re: Management responsibilities in H&S

Post by Blackstone »

Hi Mark,

I don't recall seeing it in any regulation or act nor would I imagine that that sort of text would be.

I do however generally agreed with the statement.
A H&S Practioner / Advisor / Managers job is to understand the specific H&S legislation relating to a particular workplace, and put in place actions to comply.
It is the department managers responsibilities to run a safe workplace in accordance with the training, guidance, advise and processes set up by the H&S person.
It is the department managers that should police / enforce the requirements with the workforce, not the H&S person.

Just my thoughts

Glen
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Re: Management responsibilities in H&S

Post by markspark7 »

Hi Glen

This is one of my problems. A lot of the management believe that H&S matters are the responsability of the H&S practioner (me) And not themselves. Whilst I know this is incorrect, without having something "official" that says as much It's falling on deaf ears.
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Re: Management responsibilities in H&S

Post by WillPool »

Surely Section 7 of the HASAW would suffice:

7 General duties of employees at work.
It shall be the duty of every employee while at work—
(a) to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons
who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work
..................................................

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Re: Management responsibilities in H&S

Post by markspark7 »

Hi Will

I was looking for something which related directly to Supervisors / Team leaders and managers to be honest.

Mark
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Re: Management responsibilities in H&S

Post by WillPool »

An employee is an employee, no matter what level he is at.

Section 2 of the HASAW states:

Ensure the health and safety of their employees, by providing adequate information, instruction, training and supervision as required

I would suggest that you iterate that those in these positions that they receive more money than the normal worker due to the increased responsibility and that this includes H&S.

Also,as a query what does their contracts state?

In any jobs I have been on and new personnel started it states they must take take responsibility for their own and others safety etc. Although contracts are more HR to me they should be endorsing this.

Will .salut
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Re: Management responsibilities in H&S

Post by markspark7 »

Bit of an update:

Had a good responce from the directors regarding this issue so much so that they've allowed me to put every director (except CEO) , senior manager , Dept manager , supervisors , team leaders and all maintenace staff on the IOSH managing safely course.
Going to be a very interesting few weeks as I'm going to sit in on all the courses to gauge peoples responses and reaction once they are made aware of their responsabilities.

I have to say a big thank you to the board for backing me. clapclap
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Re: Management responsibilities in H&S

Post by bernicarey »

Glad you've got that sorted.

Back to your original question:

Cutting it all back to basics, whatever the roles are called within any organisation...

The HSWA places the responsibility on the Employer to conduct their business in a way that doesn't allow harm to others, be they employees or bystanders, hence ss2 and s3 of the act.
Depending on the positions, managers, Dept heads, supervisors, foremen etc are all 'employees' but also part of the overall employer structure.

The Management Regs s7 requires the employer to appoint a 'competent person' to assist them, NOT to take over their responsibilities.
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Re: Management responsibilities in H&S

Post by Siblo »

Hi Mark

Can I borrow your board?
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