Workplace Inspections
Course Overview
Organisations in Australia are obliged under relevant State or Territory Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation to promote and ensure a safe work environment for all persons. Risk management is at the foundation of this legislation, mandating processes that involve hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control. Workplace inspections act as an effective means of ensuring such a safe work environment. This risk management tool involves regularly inspecting work areas, processes, equipment and safety behaviour and enables managers to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of hazardous incidents from occurring while encouraging worker consultation.
This module therefore positions Workplace Inspections in the context of the WHS legislation framework, with focus on the roles of both organisations and wokers in maintaining a safe work environment (and conducting inspections). The concept of Workplace Inspections is defined and discussed in terms of the risk management process, and the learner is provided with a step-by-step guide to conducting Workplace Inspections, and using inspection checklists. The module also highlights key factors to be considered whilst inspecting workplaces, sites and environments.
Key Content- The Legislative Environment
- Aims of WHS legislation
- Responsibilities of organisations and workers
- Consequences of Breaching WHS legislation
- Hazards vs. Risks; Risk Management
- About Workplace Inspections
- Workplace Inspection Checklists
- The Workplace Inspection Process
- Stage 1: Planning
- Stage 2: Performing the Inspection
- Stage 3: After the Inspection
- Key Factors to consider when conducting Workplace Inspections (e.g. emergency procedures, first aid, training, manual handling and ergonomics)
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this course, learners will be able to:- Define the nature and scope of organisational, manager and worker obligations under WHS legislation.
- Describe the nature, purpose and frequency of workplace inspections.
- Identify key parties and their roles in the workplace inspection process.
- Explain the basic steps in the workplace inspection process.
- Use checklists to conduct workplace inspections.
- List key factors to consider when conducting workplace inspections.