OHS Roles

Occupational health and safety roles continue to feature in the ‘sought after’ and highly rewarded jobs this year.

OHS roles: Who, what, why, when, where and how does one know what to look for when employing people in the OHS role?

Occupational health and safety laws aim to make workplaces safer, eliminate fatalities and prevent worker injury and disease

The emphasis on the legal liability or accountability of management and supervisors within businesses has increased in recent years.

Legislative jurisdictions have the authority to hold either managers or supervisors directly responsible for the actions of their employees and in some cases, workers and other persons may also be held responsible for their actions in the event of an injury.

Most companies need assistance with OHS issues sooner or later.

There are many levels of OHS professionals who can deliver a range of OHS services ranging from developing the strategic OHS Business Plan to the “hands-on” safety advisor who is coordinating the management system and all varying levels of expertise in-between.

With the increased emphasis and interest in environmental issues, security and quality these responsibilities may also be included in the job description, obviously depending on the size of the organisation.

The safety specialists team may include occupational medicine physicians, industrial hygienists, ergonomists, toxicologists, epidemiologists and other experts who have extended their education and now specialise in OHS. Most are qualified and are recognised by their peers within their professional association e.g. Safety Institute of Australia

Prior to recruiting an OHS role it is critical for employers to have clear documented understanding of their expectations of this role and what support they (the Management) will be providing to support this role.

 

A few questions employers need to ask:

• What do you want this person to do?

• Do you have a documented position description?

• What level of experience does one need and in what industry e.g. manufacturing, construction , hospitality, retail?

• Who is this person reporting to? Depending on the size of the company this role may report directly to the CEO / Managing Director.

• What are the key performance indicators for this role

• Has the company budgeted for OHS?

• What level of education and/study does this role require?

• Does this person need expertise in Injury Mangement, Quality, Environment or Security?