1 Campbell Research & Consulting Occupational Health and Safety (Plant) Regulations 1995 Awareness of, and compliance with, the performance based Regulations in Victorian workplaces Victorian WorkCover Authority June 26, 1998
2 Campbell Research & Consulting The Presentation u Research Objectives u Research Methodology u The Key Findings
3 Campbell Research & Consulting Research Objectives 1. Benchmark workplace awareness and compliance 2. Identify barriers to implementation 3. Identify how barriers can be overcome
4 Campbell Research & Consulting Research Methodology u Preliminary Qualitative Research u Focus Groups –Consultants and VWA Inspectors –Managers and Supervisors –OHS Reps and Plant Operators
5 Campbell Research & Consulting Research Methodology u Quantitative Research u Surveys –Workplaces (600) –OHS Plant Consultants (50) –VWA Plant Inspectors (50)
6 Campbell Research & Consulting Workplace Survey u Split sample to test validity –Managers and Supervisors (314) –OHS Reps and Plant Operators (302) u Stratified –Small, Medium and Large
7 Campbell Research & Consulting The Key Findings u Awareness u Compliance u Barriers and Strategies
8 Campbell Research & Consulting Workplace Awareness
9 Campbell Research & Consulting Workplace Awareness
10 Campbell Research & Consulting Workplace Awareness
11 Campbell Research & Consulting Workplace Awareness
12 Campbell Research & Consulting Workplace Compliance
13 Campbell Research & Consulting Hazard identification u Formal structured processes u Informal approaches
14 Campbell Research & Consulting Hazard identification
15 Campbell Research & Consulting Reactive Risk control u Unprompted response indicated reactive approaches –hazard “fixed” or “rectified” when identified (43%)
16 Campbell Research & Consulting Proactive Risk control u Prompted response indicates wide use of proactive strategies –regular inspections (83%) –regular maintenance schedule (77%) –training (64%) –regular reviews/audits (56%) u Suggests that proactive strategies are not thought of as OHS practices
17 Campbell Research & Consulting Workplace size differences u Large workplaces reported greater awareness of: –Regulations –Code of Practice for Plant –WorkCover Booklet –Change to Regulations in 1995
18 Campbell Research & Consulting Workplace size differences u Large workplaces reported greater compliance for: –formal hazard identification processes –formal risk control processes –use of OHS Consultants –OHS changes made in previous three years
19 Campbell Research & Consulting Consultants/Inspectors vs Workplaces u Consultants/Inspectors reported: –lower level of awareness –more reactive for hazard identification –more reactive for risk control –less involvement of operators/OHS Reps u Inspectors to a greater degree
20 Campbell Research & Consulting Preference for legislation u Inspectors prefer prescriptive –44% of Inspectors vs 21% of Consultants u Consultants prefer performance based –60% of Consultants vs 37% of Inspectors
21 Campbell Research & Consulting Barriers and Strategies
22 Campbell Research & Consulting Barriers to implementation
23 Campbell Research & Consulting Strategies to overcome cost/resources barrier u Identify cost savings or benefits u Set priorities in compliance
24 Campbell Research & Consulting Strategies to overcome ignorance barrier u Education/training –through the workplace –of management u Publicity/information –which is industry based –highlighting deterrents u Use of Consultants or Inspectors u Create an awareness/interest in issues
25 Campbell Research & Consulting Thank you for your attention…
26 Campbell Research & Consulting Supplementary information
27 Campbell Research & Consulting Management/operator differences u Managers reported greater awareness of: –Regulations (12% average difference) –WorkCover Booklet (12%) –Change to Regulations in 1995 (14%)
28 Campbell Research & Consulting Management/operator differences u Managers reported greater compliance for: –involvement of OHS Reps in hazard identification (12% average difference) –formal risk control processes