SH&E management systems
There is a lot more to an SH&E management system that just creating a paper trail. To be effective, everyone needs to actually apply the safety and environmental procedures to their day-to-day work, and have a genuine commitment to the company's policies.
However, good quality documentation is still very important.This is what allows the company to analyse results, identify problems, improve systems – and prove to authorities that it is exercising 'due diligence' in its operations.
Under OHS and environmental legislation, all businesses must use 'due diligence'. This means that all reasonable measures must be taken to prevent accidents and incidents from occurring that might cause injuries, illnesses or environmental damage.
How can senior management demonstrate they are taking their legislative responsibilities seriously? Obviously a management system that allows them to monitor, review and continuously improve the documents that relate to the company's activities and performance in these areas is essential.
Note that not every organisation has a single IMS portfolio to manage its SH&E responsibilities. Some businesses prefer to keep safety management separate from environmental care. Organisations need to adopt the system that suits them best and which enables compliance and effective monitoring.
A safety, health and environmental management system helps the company to systematically control a wide range of documents, including:
- company policies in safety and environmental protection
- risk assessments around the workplace
- safe operating procedures for machines and work processes
- records of inspections and hazard identifications
- toolbox meetings, safety committee meetings and consultation mechanisms
- training in site safety, environmental care, safe operating procedures and other skills
- emergency response procedures, spill clean-ups, evacuations
- safety and environmental audits conducted internally and externally
- incident reports, recommendations and follow-up actions
- continuous improvement procedures.
Learning Activity
Below is a simple 'health check' for your SH&E management system. Use this checklist to help measure how successfully your workplace policies and procedures are being implemented.
Good! But don't forget that your 'continuous improvement' program should maintain an on-going cycle of monitoring, reviewing and improving your policies, procedures and system of operation.
There is plenty of room for improvement. You need to work with company management to bring your system into full compliance with OHS and environmental legislation, codes of practice and industry standards.
Your system needs a lot of work. You should sit down with management straight away to review the company's OHS and environmental care obligations and identify the gaps in your existing system. Then you can formulate an action plan to build up a compliant system of policies, procedures and reporting mechanisms.
This checklist is based on some of the questions shown in the NSW WorkCover document: Due Diligence at Work. (pdf 495KB)