‘Creating Good Work Through Effective Design’ Speaker’s Name: Janice Batt - Safe Work Australia Stream: Health and Safety Combined

Safe Work Australia 2

Impetus for change Changing work environment Legal requirements Global, regional, local and organisational drivers for change – downsizing, restructuring, new ITC systems, retooling, refurbishing…… Community expectations

Australian WHS Strategy To drive key national activities to improve work health and safety

Action Areas Design & management of work, work processes and systems of work to eliminate or minimise hazards and risks Design of structures, plant and substances to eliminate or minimise hazards and risks before they are introduced into the workplace Work Design

Who really designs work? Those who decide what is done and why, where, when and how work is done organisational goals, building location and design, workstations, structure and staffing, shifts, ITC systems etc. what workplace goods and services are purchased 6

work is “the content and organizing of tasks, activities, relationships, and responsibilities within a job or role” Parker, 2014 healthy and safe work where the hazards and risks created by the work are eliminated (or minimised so far as is reasonably practicable) and where the work design optimises human performance, job satisfaction and productivity. 7 Good work is….

Types of work design ↘An intervention for an individual ↘“Job crafting” ↘RTW programme ↘Reasonable adjustment versus ↘An organisational intervention ↘improving business outcomes ↘creating a healthier safer workplace ↘design or redesign of work/tasks for a group ↘part of restructuring / some other change ↘to go beyond compliance….

work environment Work – Systems and processes The Workers Good work design considers.. good work ‘effective’ design Plant equipment materials and substances Physical emotional mental capacities and needs How the work is performed

‘Characteristics of Work’ “Work (Job) Characteristics” Working with chemicals = possible exposure to toxic chemicals Supervisor micro- manages tasks = lack autonomy Repetitive tasks lifting heavy loads = risks of back strain Excess vigilance tasks = cognitive overload Physical Characteristics Biomechanical Characteristics Cognitive Characteristics Psychosocial Characteristics

Good Work Design Ten principles that help to achieve good work design Evidence-based Easy to understand Interconnected with each other Limited in number Developed with Work Health and Safety Queensland and Comcare Based on extensive consultation

How: process of designing good work Principles of Good Work Design What: defining elements of good work design Why: evidence-based reasons for work design

Why use the principles? Healthier and safer workplaces Improved worker wellbeing and productivity Improved useability of products More efficient and effective work and work processes Organisations and business are operating within regulatory requirements Reduced workers’ compensation claims and costs from deaths, injuries and illnesses 13

‘Why’ Principles Principle 1: Good work design gives the highest level of protection against harm so far as is reasonably practicable It’s the law!! Legislative framework WHS laws (WHS Act and regulations) Codes of practice Guidance Prevention of Psychological Injuries Fact sheet  meets community expectations

15 Principle 2: Good work design enhances health and wellbeing Prevents ill health promotes wellbeing Improves health and safety over short & longer term including: physical and mental health good health, use of skills & creativity ………… job satisfaction & general wellbeing ‘Why’ Principles cont.. WHO - Health is “a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

‘Why’ Principles cont.. 16 Better design: optimises performance saves….. – faster responses to problems – higher creativity and innovation – more efficient and effective procedures reduced errors lower supervision costs [Parker, 2014, Tregaskis et al 2013] Principle 3: Good work design enhances business success and productivity

‘What’ Principles Principle 4: Good work design addresses physical, biomechanical, cognitive and psychosocial characteristics of work, together with the needs and capabilities of the people involved. 17 What needs to be done ?

The ‘What’ Principles cont.. What needs to be done ? –the business needs - is ‘fit for purpose –specific context –work environment: structures and plant, work layout, technology, ICT systems, organisational design and culture, HR systems, work health and safety processes…. 18 Principle 5: Good Work Design considers the business needs, context and work environment

‘ What’ Principles cont.. Good work design applied along the supply chain –design, manufacture, distribution, use and disposal of goods & considers issues across operational lifecycle –start-up, routine operations, maintenance, downsizing and cessation 19 Principle 6: Good work design is applied along the supply chain and across the operational lifecycle.

Work is designed well by: engaged decision makers and leaders decision makers provide adequate practical support and resources –Does the design ROI include costs and benefits? –Is the design process adequately resourced and the timeline realistic ? ‘ How’ Principles 20 Principle 7: Engage decision makers and leaders

‘How’ Principles cont.. Work is designed well by: involving people who do the work PCBUs must consult with workers and others don’t forget the invisible workers and users Are all the users consulted before the design is signed off? 21 Principle 8: Actively involve the people who do the work, including those in the supply chain and networks

‘How’ Principles cont.. 22 Good work design includes: Identify, assess and control hazards and risks –use a systematic risk management approach Continuous improvement –good work as part of business processes -not a one-off event –long term sustainability requires designs be continually monitored and adjusted –build in feedback loops and new information to improve designs Is this good work practice embedded in your workplace? applies to Psychosocial hazards Principle 9: Identify hazards, assess and control risks, and seek continuous improvement Safe Work Australia, Model Code of Practice – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks

The ‘How’ Principles cont.. Successful Work Design ExperienceEvidenceExperts Principle 10: Learn from experts, evidence, and experience

Summary & Thank you! Handbook published on SWA website We are collecting case studies and resources to illustrate use of the principles Promote, disseminate and evaluate The why principles – are outcome based and explain why good work design is important 2. The what principles – what needs to be considered during the design process 3. The how principles – how you go about implementing the principles