Fire Safety Tips for Australian Business Owners

No matter the type of business you conduct at your workplace, fire safety should always be a main concern. Here are a few fire safety tips you can distribute to your staff:

•   Install a fire detection and warning system – the alarm can be raised automatically but if the system is manual, all employees should be taught how to operate the alarm.

•   Check your fire escape routes – they must take people to a safe place, be well-labelled, have good lighting and be designed in accordance with the Building Codes.

•   Nominate a fire warden – have one person (or more if needed) to be in charge of creating and enforcing fire safety procedures and ensuring that everyone knows what to do and where to find fire-fighting equipment.

•   Introduce evacuation procedures – in cases of emergency, everyone must be able to escape safely. Use your fire wardens to ensure people leave calmly and by the most direct route.

•   Use emergency lighting – all emergency routes and exits must be well-lit. Include lighting at each door, corridor, change of direction, staircase, change in floor level and next to all fire-fighting equipment and alarms.

•   Know your fire extinguishers – make sure you understand the different types of fire extinguisher available and have the correct ones stored in the appropriate places.

•   Check your fire safety signs – are the signs displayed clear, unambiguous and suitable for those with poor vision or lack of English language skills? Replace signs where necessary and ensure that they are well-lit and easy to understand.

•   Prepare an emergency plan – every employer must prepare an emergency plan covering things such as: the actions employees must take on discovering a fire, warning systems, evacuation procedures, fire warden duties etc.

•   Train your employees in fire safety – all staff must be instructed in how to raise the alarm, evacuation procedures and where fire-fighting equipment is kept. Without this knowledge, cases of fire have the potential to become even more serious.

•   Hold regular fire drills – practice your fire drill at least annually but more frequently if appropriate to ensure all employees know what to do and where to go.

ISOsafe can develop tailored Evacuation Procedures, Evacuation Plans/Diagrams for your workplace. We also offer a range of Emergency Preparedness training options such as; annual fire drills at your facility. 

Benefits of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSAS 18001)

OHSAS 18001 is the British Standard for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S / WHS). It is an internationally applied and recognised system for the management of Occupational Health and Safety. OHSAS 18001 aligns with the structure and requirements of the popular ISO 9001 and ISO 14001; this means, organisations already certified to the ISO 9001 and/or ISO 14001 Management Systems Standards can become OHSAS 18001 certified with little effort.

Perhaps the most important and attractive feature of implementing an OH&S Management System (OHSAS 18001) is the ability to advertise of a safe working environment. There are many benefits to implementing an OH&S Management System, such as:

•    Improving corporate image and credibility among stake holders, regulators, customers, prospective clients and the public
•    Adoption of international best practice in relation to risk management
•    Ensure health and well being of employees, sub contractors and the public
•    Minimisation of liability of employers through adoption of proactive rather than reactive controls
•    Ensuring legislative awareness and compliance
•    Reducing accident and incident rates by reducing and elimination workplace hazards
•    Improving the incident investigation process
•    Improving employee motivation through the provision of a safer workplace and participation process

For further information on OHSAS 18001 or the certification process, contact us today.

How Health Risk Management programs can increase productivity in your business

Implementing a Health Risk Management (HRM) program to mitigate workforce health risks can save employers spending on health and improve worker productivity.

On average ISOsafe's HRM programs provide savings of $2.03 for every $1 invested. The savings offset the increased costs of compliance. 

Examples of initiatives within a HRM program include:
•    Workday fitness activities such as walking challenges
•    Exercise programs available at the workplace
•    Sponsored or discounted fitness memberships or on-site fitness centre
•    Lunch and learn health programs (healthy cooking, disease education, etc.)

The success of any HRM program is largely based on employee engagement. Some rewards to encourage participation and achievements can include:
•    Paid time off – can be as little as an early out Friday or paid half or full days off
•    Cash equivalents – small cash incentives or gift cards or drawings for same
•    Merchandise – company t-shirts, health-specific merchandise (FitBit, pedometer, etc.)
•    Travel/Tickets – drawings for premium items such as weekend trips or concert tickets

Implementing a HRM program at your workplace can reduce expenses related to:
•    Absenteeism
•    Presenteeism
•    Productivity
•    Creativity
•    Insurance premiums
•    Legal Compliance

While you’re creating a healthier and happier workforce, look to ISOsafe for help with enterprise risks.

Non-government disability service providers and the law

Members of the National Disability Services (NDS) have very specific Work Health & Safety (WHS), Environment & Quality reporting requirements. 

As an employer, every non-government disability service provider is legally obliged to exercise a duty of care to protect their workers (including any volunteers and contractors) against potential WHS risks. Risks to disability support workers include:
•    manual handling, such as heavy lifting;
•    slips, trips and falls;
•    bullying and harassment;
•    electrical safety, for example from damaged equipment; and
•    use of chemicals, such as for cleaning and laundry.

ISOsafe can assist non-government disability service providers with WHS Management Systems & training, as well as, the upkeep of benchmarking data,  general policies, and record keeping.

For expert advice on DisabilityCare Australia (National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)), Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act), Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and anti-discrimination legislation contact ISOsafe today.

Why all business owners and employers should implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) (ISO 14001:2015) today

More and more customers are asking for environmental credentials as part of their supplier approval process. Requests may be made in tender applications or supplier questionnaires. Customers questions can range from 'does your business have an environmental policy?' through to 'is your business ISO 14001 certified?'

There are a number of advantages to having an Environmental Management System (EMS). From a corporate social responsibility standpoint, it demonstrates that a business is committed to reducing its carbon footprint.

Government bodies and multinational companies are often inclined to select a contractor/supplier based on evidence of a well maintained EMS, as it demonstrates effective risk management and due diligence.

A well designed EMS also helps businesses avoid costly environmental impacts through established protocols derived from operational assessments (environmental aspects) and consideration of regulatory frameworks.

The identification of a business’s most significant environmental impacts also creates opportunities to operate more efficiently. Such opportunities may include cost reducing waste management and energy consumption strategies, translating to increased profits and a competitive advantage over other contractors/suppliers in the market. A well maintained EMS formalises environmental performance and ultimately assists business’s in the achievement of financial objectives / targets.

To get started with an EMS for your business today email us at: enquiries@isosafe.com.au