ASSE Academic Forum Model of OHS Practice A/Prof Susanne Tepe & Pam Pryor RMIT University Melbourne Australia

RMIT University©yyyy School/Department/Area 2 Agenda for Today Background on Australian Body of Knowledge project Engage in an activity about how you do OHS Practice Discuss the Model of Practice derived from the research done by Pam Pryor and Susanne Tepe

Australian Body of Knowledge Project Instigated by HaSPA (Health and Safety Professional Alliance) Supported by WorkSafe Victoria Involved consultation with many OHS professionals and educators Developed list of concepts essential to OHS professionals Research needed to define how an OHS Professional practices RMIT University©yyyy School/Department/Area 3

Exercise for Practice Elucidation Workers have complained about fumes from a glue that is used in the work process. Workers say that the glue makes their eyes sting and run and gives them a cough and headache. They have raised the issue locally through a hazard alert but they say they are not satisfied with the investigation and response by the local management. RMIT University©yyyy School/Department/Area 4

RMIT University©yyyy School/Department/Area 5 Process Today Take a few moments and record your thoughts about how you would approach this problem I am concerned about the approach, not the ‘answer’

RMIT University©yyyy School/Department/Area 6 Process We asked the others*: –Compare your thoughts with the person next to you –Draw up a diagram that describes this approach or process –Tell the group what your approach is *Others included groups of internal (n=3) and groups of external (n=2) OHS consultants with professional qualifications. In addition, had discussions with approx 176 Safety Institute of Australia members

Model of OHS Professional Practice RMIT University©yyyy School/Department/Area 7 Build relationships Work within an organisational context Report to key people Evaluate change Monitor implement ation Implement actions Operatio nalise decision Decide on actions Develop options for actions Develop options for action Diagnose Understand the situation Apply conceptual framework Gather information

Model of OHS Practice: OHS Practice Skills META SKILLS Consultation and Building Relationships –Consultation –Purposeful written and oral communication –Management support Working within an organisational context –Understanding business and industry – Understanding organisational dynamics and power RMIT University©yyyy School/Department/Area 8 Build relationships Work within an organisational context Report to key people Evaluate change Monitor implementa tion Implement actions Operationalis e decision Decide on actions Develop options for actions Develop options for action Diagnose Understand the situation Apply conceptual framework Gather infor mation

Model of OHS Practice: OHS Practice Skills Gather information –Interpretation of OHS legislation –Evaluation of OHS performance Critical consumer of research –Investigation of occurrences –Inspections of workplace –Assessment of monitoring data RMIT University©yyyy School/Department/Area 9 Build relationships Work within an organisational context Report to key people Evaluate change Monitor implementa tion Implement actions Operationalis e decision Decide on actions Develop options for actions Develop options for action Diagnose Understand the situation Apply conceptual framework Gather infor mation

Model of OHS Practice: OHS Practice Skills Apply conceptual framework –Body of knowledge content –Evaluation and application of recognized models and tools –AS 4801, –ISO 31000, –regulatory codes of practice, –accident causation models, –organisational culture models, –complex systems models, –Etc RMIT University©yyyy School/Department/Area 10 Build relationships Work within an organisational context Report to key people Evaluate change Monitor implementa tion Implement actions Operationalis e decision Decide on actions Develop options for actions Develop options for action Diagnose Understand the situation Apply conceptual framework Gather infor mation

Model of OHS Practice: OHS Practice Skills Understand the problem/situation –Critical thinking –Understanding organisations Diagnose/articulate thinking –Body of Knowledge content –Providing advice –Communication skills RMIT University©yyyy School/Department/Area 11 Build relationships Work within an organisational context Report to key people Evaluate change Monitor implementa tion Implement actions Operationalis e decision Decide on actions Develop options for actions Develop options for action Diagnose Understand the situation Apply conceptual framework Gather infor mation

Model of OHS Practice: OHS Practice Skills Develop options for action –Interpretation of OHS legislation –OHS management systems –OHS risk management process –Emergency preparedness –Consultation –Strategic planning Decide on options for action –Critical thinking –Pattern recognition RMIT University©yyyy School/Department/Area 12 Build relationships Work within an organisational context Report to key people Evaluate change Monitor implementa tion Implement actions Operationalis e decision Decide on actions Develop options for actions Develop options for action Diagnose Understand the situation Apply conceptual framework Gather infor mation

Model of OHS Practice: OHS Practice Skills Operationalise –Management Systems –Application of the Risk Management process –Training –Health promotion Implement actions –Understanding organisations –Change management RMIT University©yyyy School/Department/Area 13 Build relationships Work within an organisational context Report to key people Evaluate change Monitor implementa tion Implement actions Operationalis e decision Decide on actions Develop options for actions Develop options for action Diagnose Understand the situation Apply conceptual framework Gather infor mation

Model of OHS Practice: OHS Practice Skills Monitor implementation –Auditing and Inspection –Environmental monitoring –Performance monitoring and reporting Evaluate change –Auditing –Environmental monitoring –Management system review –OHS performance interpretation RMIT University©yyyy School/Department/Area 14 Build relationships Work within an organisational context Report to key people Evaluate change Monitor implementa tion Implement actions Operationalis e decision Decide on actions Develop options for actions Develop options for action Diagnose Understand the situation Apply conceptual framework Gather infor mation

Model of OHS Practice: OHS Practice Skills Report to key personnel –Consultation –Influencing –Report writing –Presentation skills Evaluate professional practice –Reflective practice –Ethical practice –Mentoring & Peer review –Continued professional development –Question the model of professional practice RMIT University©yyyy School/Department/Area 15 Build relationships Work within an organisational context Report to key people Evaluate change Monitor implementa tion Implement actions Operationalis e decision Decide on actions Develop options for actions Develop options for action Diagnose Understand the situation Apply conceptual framework Gather infor mation

OHS Model of Professional Practice Can be used for emergency, tactical or strategic issues Could describe process by internal and external consultants May appear that some steps are skipped but this may be pattern recognition RMIT University©yyyy School/Department/Area 16

RMIT University©yyyy School/Department/Area 17 Simplified Model of SHE Practice Diagnosis ImplementEvaluate Gather Information Context & Communication

Discussion? RMIT University©yyyy School/Department/Area 18