Reflections

28/03/2009 8:29:21 PM

REFLECTIONS is a workshop program designed to be used in conjunction with Occupational Health and Safety education.  Its purpose is to raise the profile of safety by consciously confronting reality.

I believe that in order to improve the safety culture in the workplace, Trainee’s, workers and upper management alike must ALL become intimately aware of the devastating effects of unsafe work practises.

There are many excellent OHS training systems being utilised by companies presently.  These programs are targeted specifically at hazard identification, risk assessments, the OHS&W Act and what everyone’s legal obligations are.  They play an essential role in building knowledge, but I believe they fall short of truly changing safety cultures.  

REFLECTIONS does not replace these training systems – it works to enhance them.  The workshop aims to reinforce the importance of hazard awareness BECAUSE – we are not immortal – the misconceptions and myths on how people cope after a tragic workplace accident are squashed.  Participants are confronted at a more subconscious level.

WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT?

It’s commonly accepted that a great number of people are instinctively drawn to human drama.  

For whatever reason, this need for people to ‘feel’ is why REFLECTIONS was born.  It’s a behavioural-based training program without specific target.  

In researching current behavioural-based safety (BBS) training programs, it’s become evident that there is a definite target.  Companies utilise BBS because it aims to place a higher responsibility on the employee.  

Unions tend to criticise BBS for that reason.

We agree with the Unions to an extent.  Safety in the workplace cannot even begin to take shape unless the company has a strong safety culture at the management level.

We disagree however that workers should rely on management to pave the way.  It is true that safety starts at the top – but it is even more important that safety is equally prioritised at all levels.

The Safety Culture in the workplace will ONLY improve when it exists at all levels of employment:

• School aged children
• Trainees / Apprenticeships
• Workers
• Upper Level Management
• Company Directors

A true safety culture will naturally filter into:

• Work
• Home
• Hobbies

The message is that no one is immune from the dire consequence of an unsafe workplace – human beings are not invincible.

The program aims to:

• Get people thinking about the risks they take
• Confront consequences on a very personal level
• Dispel misconceptions on financial gain Workers Compensation etc.
• Dispel misconceptions that time heals all wounds.

TARGET SPECIFIC.

The packages are tailored as much as possible in order to establish a ‘connection’ with the audience to where message being delivered.

There are slightly different packages aimed at the following groups:

• Vocational VET Training Courses – pre employment aimed at school leavers
• Apprentices / Trainees – new workforce employees – generally lower paid workers.
• General Employees at all levels.  
• OHS Management – a message specifically targeted at those who can affect change in work safe culture the most.