An optometrist or ophthalmologist’s practice is a relatively low-risk business, however, you have a duty to ensure you can demonstrate that you have taken the necessary steps to understand what the risks to workers’ health and safety (H&S) are, and you have a plan in place to manage this.
Implementing a HSMS
A requirement under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) is to have a H&S Management System (HSMS) in place. An effective HSMS results from organisational leadership and commitment. Everyone has a duty to work safely, but you still need to manage and coordinate the overall health and safety programme of the organisation.
A HSMS is the framework for doing this and needs to include the following key elements:
It is not necessary to invest in a specific HSMS software application as the same results can be achieved using Microsoft Word or Excel.
Hazard and risk management
The most critical element is effective hazard and risk management. This is about identifying hazards that have the potential to cause harm, so are “risks” to your employees or visitors, how you’ve managed to eliminate them or, at least, what steps you’ve taken to reduce the risks. The key stages in hazard and risk management are:
Identifying hazards
The first step is to identify hazards. A simple approach to this is a method called STEP: Site – where you work; Task – what you do and how you do it; Equipment – what you use or are exposed to; and PPE, what protective equipment or clothing is worn.
The most common hazards are:
It is essential to engage your employees in the process of identifying and managing hazards and to encourage them to discuss any discomfort they may experience when undertaking their duties or carrying out their work.
Assessing the risks
After the hazards have been identified, you need to assess each hazard to find out what risk it may pose to workers. This means assessing the probability (chance) and consequences (impact) via a Risk Matrix.
Controlling the hazard risk
Once the hazards have been identified and their risks assessed, you must decide which control measures are most appropriate. The hierarchy of controls is as follows:
Monitoring and review
Establish a H&S Committee that includes employees and meets regularly (at least quarterly) to review/investigate incidents, new hazards, determine where controls are effective and any other H&S matters.
Employees who work from home
Your practice also has a responsibility to ensure that work done at home is done in a safe manner. If the work being done is primarily on a computer, then there should be a workspace, setup appropriately for this to be done, reflecting the same standard as if the employee was at work. However, the practice's responsibility doesn't extend beyond the employee's home workspace or to other activities carried out in the home.
Summary
While our working practices have changed in many ways, it is still absolutely the case that the responsibility for managing risk rests with those who create the risk. Good H&S goes hand-in-hand with good business and organisational performance and building a good H&S culture in any organisation requires strong leadership. Finally, workforce engagement and involvement is essential to succeed in embedding H&S in the fabric of an organisation.
For more on PPE eyewear, see 'Myths, nysteries and eye protection" and for a lighter look at workplace safety, see Chalkeyes presents...
About the author:
Liam Denton is a principal at Safety Associates (www.safetyassociates.co.nz) and a member of the NZ Institute of Safety Management. To get in touch on any matters relating to H&S call Liam on 0275 684 216 or email him at, liam@safetyassociates.co.nz