How do you set up workplace health and safety policies?
In a fitness organisation, effective policies and procedures are particularly important as these organisations interact with external clients on a regular basis. Policies and procedures ensure the health and safety of all staff and clients.
Most organisations have workplace health and safety (WHS) representatives who will ensure that the policies and procedures are understood, followed and made easily accessible throughout the organisation.
Where are workplace health and safety policies commonly found?
• Displayed around the workplace (staff and common rooms, bathrooms, work areas)
• Highlighted in staff newsletters
• Located in policies and procedures manuals
• Distributed via regular email updates
• Located on the organisation’s internet
• As agenda items in staff meetings.
In a fitness organisation, appropriate workplace health and safety policies and procedures must exist for a range of situations involving both staff and clients. In particular, a fitness organisation would need to consider workplace health and safety policies including using equipment and machinery as well as code of conduct for public and work spaces.
Effective workplace health and safety policies and procedures are the responsibility of all people who interact with the organisation. The maintenance and compliance of WHS policies and procedures will ensure that the threat of accidents occurring is minimised as much as possible.
Common organisational policies and procedures
- Chemical handling
- Duty of care
- Emergency procedures
- First aid
- General housekeeping tasks
- Hazard identification
- Health and hygiene
- Issue resolution
- Manual handling
- Work health and safety reports
- Personal safety
- Reporting procedures
- Security
- Stress management
- Use of personal protective equipment
- Hazardous waste disposal.
Workplace Health and Safety Responsibilities
Workplace health and safety is generally seen as everybody’s responsibility, it is the employer’s responsibility to protect their staff in the workplace by ensuring that the workplace is safe and without risk.
By law, employers have a duty of care to protect the health and wellbeing of their employees and clients or any person who interacts with the business, including both short and long-term contractors.
Employees also have a large role in maintaining workplace health and safety within the workplace. Employees are directly responsible for their own health and safety and the safety of others who might be affected by their actions.
Workplace health and safety policies and procedures are only successful in the workplace if employees work with their employers in ensuring they are followed and understood.
| Employers’ Responsibilities | Employees’ Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Adequately induct, inform, train and supervise staff to ensure safe workplace health and safety practices are understood and upheld by all team- members | Work safely at all times to ensure the risk of harm is reduced for themselves and others |
| Regularly update and consult their employees regarding any changes to workplace health and safety in the workplace | Report any hazards in the workplace as soon as they are identified |
| Provide any necessary training and protective equipment to employees to ensure they can complete their jobs safely | Ensure tasks are completed in a safe manner using the correct safety equipment and methods |
| Ensure that workplace health and safety procedures and policies are current and regularly updated to comply with legislation and regulation | Ensure that workplace health and safety procedures and policies are understood and ask questions to clarify any uncertainty |
| Provide adequate facilities for the welfare of employees | Understand emergency procedures and the location of first aid kit |
In larger organisations, determined by state laws and regulations, a workplace health and safety committee will exist.
Health and safety committees are groups of people from the organisation who meet regularly to review and progress the workplace health and safety standards within an organisation.
Committee members are selected from across the organisation to ensure that all parts of the business have a voice in the organisations workplace health and safety.
Each area of the business will have a workplace health and safety representative who can discuss any concerns or actions that you have raised with the committee.
Personal Trainer's Toolkit: Workplace Health and Safety in a Fitness Setting
Personal Trainer's Toolkit: Workplace Health and Safety in a Fitness Setting
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