Employers are responsible for ensuring their workers know the safest way to do their work. This includes knowing the hazards of their jobs and their workplace and knowing how to control these hazards.
Having written safe work practices and procedures is an essential component of an OH&S program. A practice is a set of guidelines to help workers perform a task that may not require a step-by-step procedure.
Example: “When liquid is spilled on the floor, a ‘wet floor’ sign is placed in the area until the spill is cleaned and the floor is dry.”
A procedure is a step-by-step process for performing a task safely from beginning to end. To reflect real life in the workplace, workers who actually do the job must be involved in developing the practices and procedures.
Because young workers are at a higher risk for workplace accidents, they require additional training in safe work. Employers must have a plan for training young workers and must ensure safe work practices and procedures are clearly communicated. Young workers must also be supervised in completing tasks safely.
The following items are helpful in implementing safe work practices and procedures:
- A communication plan to inform workers
- A training plan outlining who needs training, how much is needed and the time required
- An orientation plan for new and returning workers and for workers who change jobs
- A process for ensuring compliance
- A review procedure
OH&S committees and WH&S representatives/designates are responsible for monitoring the development of safe work practices and procedures.
A sample safe work training matrix is available here.
For the purposes of PRIME Practice Incentive requirements you must have:
- A safe work training plan, including a training matrix
- Sample safe work practices and procedures, which have been reviewed by supervisors and workers, available to guide workers in performing their jobs safely
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