In the workplace, everyone is responsible for safety.  It’s not just for managers or senior management to worry about where legislation is concerned, everyone from the top to the bottom needs to be actively ensuring the safety of others. ISO 45001 highlights the importance of this in its most recent iteration, which includes a specific requirement for the consultation and participation of workers. But, how does this work in practice? Today Ian Battersby explains what consultation and participation of workers in ISO 45001 is, and how you can incorporate elements of reactive and proactive hazard reporting to meet that requirement. You’ll learn ·      What is consultation and participation of workers in ISO 45001? ·      What is the identification of hazards? ·      What’s the difference between reactive and proactive hazard reporting? ·      Common approaches to reactive and proactive hazard reporting ·      Proactive hazard reporting in action   Resources ·      Isologyhub     In this episode, we talk about: [00:30] Join the isologyhub – To get access to a suite of ISO related tools, training and templates. Simply head on over to isologyhub.com to either sign-up or book a demo. [02:05] Episode summary: Ian Battersby will be explaining reactive and proactive hazard reporting, and how this relates to the consultation and participation of workers (clause 5.4) requirement in ISO 45001. [02:30] What is ‘Consultation and Participation of workers? – ISO 45001’s clause 5.4 states: “The organization must have a process for consultation and participation of workers at all levels and functions, and their representatives in the development, planning, implementation, performance evaluation and actions for improvement of the OH&S management system.” ISO 45001 expects occupational health and safety aspects to be fully embodied within the organisation structure. All workers should be aware of their responsibilities, and work together to meet the organisation’s health and safety goals. Everyone is responsible for safety. Consultation implies two-way communication, so workers can provide feedback to be considered by the organisation before taking a decision.  This is important; the organisation has to consider workers’ feedback before making decisions Participation implies the contribution of workers, including non-managerial workers, to decision-making related to OH&S performance and to proposed changes. [05:50] Hazard Identification – A specific issue which must be considered is the identification of hazards: ·      Identifying hazards and assessing risks and opportunities (Clauses 6.1.1 and 6.1.2); ·      Determining actions to eliminate hazards and reduce OH&S risks There are numerous sources for consideration when it comes to hazards ·      How work is organised ·      Routine/non-routine activities ·      Past incidents ·      Emergency situations ·      People ·      Processes ·      Workplace design ·      Equipment ·      Change  [07:35] What’s the difference between proactive and reactive hazard reporting? – Proactive is about spotting hazards in advance and putting in place measures to minimise the chances of them materialising and causing harm (eg, through an accident) Reactive is in response to an event which has already occurred, such as an accident; a hazard existed without being spotted already and dealt with.   [08:20] A common approach to proactive hazard reporting  – Risk Assessment.  Consider hazard sources (i.e. people, processes, equipment, workplace etc) and consider what may happen; what could go wrong.  Then consider what controls could be put in place to try and prevent that happening. Risk assessment can help you to demonstrate worker consultation and participation by including those affected: ·      Involved in or affected by an activity ·      Those delivering a process ·      Using equipment ·      Occupying a workplace Those people have valuable knowledge and understanding