Safety inspectors will be “out in force” to ensure Victorian employers that have been shut down or under work-from-home arrangements are meeting their health and safety obligations, the state regulator says.

WorkSafe Victoria said obligations include training and instructing staff on how to complete tasks and use equipment safely, and ensuring equipment and machinery is restarted in line with manufacturer specifications.

Employers must also provide adequate supervision and instruction to all staff where work practices have changed and for any new staff that might be unfamiliar with the workplace.

Every inspection will include an assessment of COVID-19 preparedness to ensure businesses have social distancing, good hygiene practices and a COVID-safe work plan.

Since the pandemic started, WorkSafe Victoria inspectors have made more than 15,000 workplace visits and enquiries to ensure COVID-19 compliance and issued more than 460 notices for COVID-19 related health and safety failures.

Common issues have been workers not working from home where possible, inadequate personal protective equipment, failing to enforce social distancing, poor hygiene controls, lack of health screening and not having procedures for when an employee tests positive.

WorkSafe Victoria Health and Safety Executive Director Julie Nielsen said employers had to remember all their health and safety obligations as businesses reopen.

“Employers should take the time to review their health and safety processes and consult with their workers or health and safety representatives about controls in place to keep everyone safe.”

Ms Nielsen said employers that fail to protect their workers and the public will face tough penalties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

“We are urging employers; don’t be complacent, don’t rush, take health and safety seriously and ensure you meet your obligations,” she said.

Considerations for employers reopening workplaces:

• Appropriate controls to manage the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19).
• Removing risks such as trip or fall hazards.
• Ensuring training is up to date for all returning staff.
• Providing adequate supervision and instruction to all staff where work practices have changed and for any new staff that might be unfamiliar with the workplace.
• Ensuring plant and equipment is restarted safely and in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.

What is HSE Software and How Does myosh Work?

myosh is a cloud based workplace health and safety platform that works with you and your team.

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myosh is fast and fully configurable HSE Software that is easy to use and adapt for any Industries.

Over 50 configurable modules integrate to collect HSEQ data.

Modules are used to manage hazards, investigate incidents, manage risk, conduct audits and much more.

Our mobile app is used for fast data capture in the field, online or offline. Features include QR code scanning, digital signatures, Geo Locations and Geo Fencing, pdf export and more. You can configure mobile forms, visibility and functionality in your Administration panel

The myosh Dashboard provides powerful organisational insight by transforming your hseq data into intelligent visual charts, marps and tables. Up to date data is derived from modules and displayed in an interactive visual format, configured specifically for you and your team.

myosh is built on the Viking PaaS, a super configurable platform with powerful capabilities. Teams can quickly and easily configure the platform to their own very unique end to end process requirements.

We encourage you to treat your software technology like a team member. The myosh academy is designed to empower your team with the skills to ensure they use their software tools productively. Everyone learns differently, so the academy holds a variety of resources including videos, guided learning and verified online learning courses for each myosh module.

Your investment in myosh helps you and your team manage risk, compliance and improve workplace health and safety. Today, successful organisations view safety as an asset, and health and safety spending as an investment. This is because a safe workplace adds measurable business value, and can drive tangible improvements in performance, profit, and culture.

Ask our team for an online demonstration today.

More resources

HSEQ Job Directory

Demand for the Occupational Health and Safety Services industry is forecast to expand significantly over the next five years. Organisations in a range of industries are constantly looking for savvy, articulate professionals who can demonstrate how minimising risks and improving safety and health performance contributes to performance, profit, and culture.

Get ahead of the curve and advance your career in HSEQ today. View the latest health and safety consultant jobs from around the world.

See the latest HSEQ Consultant openings

The Facts and The Figures

Organisations are constantly reminded that health and safety failure is expensive. And whilst this is certainly true, there are benefits to health and safety success that go beyond cost-avoidance. Today, successful organisations view safety as an asset, and health and safety spending as an investment.

Download the report and discover the tangible and measurable benefits that health and safety initiatives can have on:

• Organisational Productivity
• Safety Climate
• Insurance
• Reputation
• The Bottom Line

myosh Academy

Your investment in myosh helps you and your team manage risk, compliance and improve workplace health and safety.

We encourage you to treat your software technology like a team member. The myosh Academy is designed to empower your team with Knowledge, Skills, Tips and FAQS, and to ensure they use their software tools productively.

• Watch videos
• View FAQs
• Take online courses
• Read articles
• Stay informed with myosh Updates