Works Related to OH&S Issues

All employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace for staff. Capital expenditure relating to the safety of staff may not appear to justify the economic return under a normal evaluation process. If so, the initial evaluation should use standard risk assessment techniques, including the probability and consequences of injury to staff. If even this assessment does not provide the normal return , it is vital that the organization assesses the overall impact of the decision not to carry out the necessary works. Another risk could be industrial action, with the closure of the productive facility. Such consequences should be properly assessed and included in the second stage evaluation process. Specialist advice should be sought. All CIP project proposals need to be assessed against OH&S criteria, and if OH&S risks are identified, then the priorities of the project may need to be escalated within the CIP program.