Influence of supervisors on an organisation's WHS performance€¦ · system that supports your...
Transcript of Influence of supervisors on an organisation's WHS performance€¦ · system that supports your...
Influence of supervisors on an organisation’s WHS performance
Suzanne Johnson
Manager, Ergonomics Unit
Things I hope you take from this…..
• Ideas to help your supervisors better lead
safety and MSD prevention
• The system elements
that support
MSD prevention
• Two meat businesses, and one metals business voluntarily participated
• Meat and metals subsectors focus
• Queensland based
Who
• Work with supervisors
through training and
focus groups.
• Explore systems in
place for safety, in
particular HMT
prevention and
management
What Why
• Research evidence
base
• Claims data
• Priority industry and
hazard area
The pilot project at a glance
Phase 1 2013-2014
Review of systems relating to
Hazardous Manual Tasks
Discussions and feedback from
workers and supervisors
Management consultation
Hazardous manual task system
Identified as a priority hazard
Consultation and
communication with workers
Suitable HMT risk
assessment tools
Risk controls
Incident reporting and investigations
Leadership and culture
Training and supervision
Phase 2 2014-2015
HMT risk management training for
supervisors
Focus groups with 80 supervisors
across the three participating
workplaces
Debriefing with management
Phase 3 2016
Review of systems
Follow up with supervisors to
gather feedback on changes
made post training sessions
Final management debriefing.
Systems level findings
Few safety
accountabilities
Performance
measures
Sources of risk
Generic toolsGaps in
contractor
consultation
Recruitment
practices
Training gaps
MSDs: High risk acceptance and low risk perception
Communication-limited feedback when safety issues are reported
Productivity overrides safety
Low participation in safety activities
Many control ideas generated
Worker perceptions findings
Risk acceptance
Worker literacy and numeracy
Production pressures take priority
Unplanned absenteeism-resources
Injury management process awareness
Lifting focus. Other issues not addressed
Supervisors perceptions findings
Systems improvements over life of project
Communication
& leadership
Hazard
reporting
Accountabilities
People
management
training and
recruitment
Literacy
initiatives
Lead
indicators
Early
intervention
Incident
investigations
Regular
face to
face
meetings
Involvement in
HMT Risk
Assessments. HMT training
Involvement and
learning from
investigations
Comparison of trained to untrained supervisors
2011
2016
980 workers compensation
claims
150 workers compensation
claims
A case example
2018 170 workers compensation
claims
Take home messages• Pivotal role of supervisors in prevention of MSDs
• For sustainable prevention look at the whole
system that supports your supervisors
• Supervisor leadership capabilities
help reduce workplace injuries
Resources• E-Tools: PErforM and ManTRA (Hazardous Manual Tasks), Return on
Investment, Heat Stress
• Safety Leadership at Work
• HMT resources
• Mental health at work toolkit
• Young workers safety toolkit
• Work Health Planning guide
• Principles of Good Work Design Handbook (Safe Work Australia)
• www.worksafe.qld.gov.au
Suzanne JohnsonManager, Ergonomics Unit
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
Thank you