Executive/Senior Manager - Accountability
Further information
Actions or inactions by the executive/senior leaders, are very visible to the workers they guide. All workers in the business have accountability at one level or another.
Every worker at all levels of a business should:
- take ownership of their own health and safety for matters within their control or ability to influence
- work with colleagues to promote health and safety and ensure that it becomes a part of everyday business
- contribute to providing quality information that enables the establishment of baseline compliance levels and the measurement of changes in compliance over time. This rich source of information provides a reference point for targeting prevention and better practice initiatives
- be accountable as an individual to enhance a culture of health and safety within the business
- ensure that they meet duty of care obligations as required under the WHS laws. Non-compliance can result in a range of regulatory responses, and in some cases, criminal prosecution with substantially increased fines which may include jail sentences.
Senior leaders should also:
- be accountable for the implementation and review of any change management processes
- ensure health and safety is integrated into business planning and does not get downgraded based on competing priorities, profit margins, and lack of resources
- promote and encourage open discussions on health and safety at all levels of the business to ensure workers can achieve outcomes based on open communication, consultation, negotiation and agreement
- establish and promote fair and equitable issue resolution processes.