Systems – or lack of systems - shape the working environment and influence how a worker may act.
Examples of systems
Examples of systems include:
- worker management and communication
- physical and environmental features of the workplace - including workstations, machinery, hand tools and their design, housekeeping and maintenance
- health and safety systems - like those listed in the ACC WorkSafe Cycle:
- hazard management
- incident reporting and investigation
- training and supervision
- injury management
Does your workplace need to improve?
A workplace that doesn’t give enough attention and priority to injury prevention will tend to have systems and environments that contribute to injury.
Does that sound like your workplace? Take a moment to find out by answering these questions:
- Are business systems (eg good worker management and effective communication) in place?
- Are environmental features of the workplace managed to prevent injury and illness? eg noise levels, air quality, temperature, lighting
- Is the prevention of illness and injury a consideration in the purchase, design and use of machinery, tools and equipment?
- Is the workplace kept tidy?
- Are equipment, machinery and tools well maintained?
- Are health and safety systems in place? eg hazard management, incident reporting and investigation, training, supervision and injury management
- Are health and safety systems and safe work practices understood and used by all workers?
If you answered ‘No’ to any of the questions above, your workplace needs to improve its systems, environments or equipment.
The ACC WorkSafe Cycle sets out what actions you can take.
Last updated: 20 April 2009