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SYSTEMATIC APPROACH
Systematic -vs- Adhoc

Numerous studies have identified that employers who effectively manage health and safety are more likely to have:

In order to ensure that consultation takes place in relation to all health and safety matters, the employer should adopt a systematic approach to health and safety.

Unless the employer has a systematic approach to decision-making about OHS, it will be difficult for the employer to plan and organise meaningful consultation prior to decisions about these matters being made.

Systematically managing OHS essentially means having a planned approach to addressing issues that may affect workers' health and safety. It increases the likelihood of preventing injury and disease.

A systematic (planned) approach can be broadly explained by contrasting it with an ad hoc (reactive) safety culture.

SYSTEMATIC
AD HOC
OHS responsibilities are defined for everyone OHS responsibilities are not defined for everyone or are unclear
All employees are competent to exercise designated responsibilities Employees are not competent to exercise designated and defined responsibilities
Measures to prevent illness and injury are planned Health and safety actions may happen but are not planned or coordinated
Hazards are identified before injury, illness or incident Hazards are dealt with re-actively after an incident
The means for controlling risks are set out in work procedures The control of risks relies on individual foresight
Employees are consulted and participate in the development of the means of controlling risks Employees informed but not consulted about safety
The means of controlling risks are monitored to incidents Controls are only reviewed in response to incidents
Employer provides necessary knowledge, information, instruction, training & supervision Employer relies on existing skills and
knowledge

Having a systematic approach to managing OHS makes good sense and increases the likelihood of preventing workplace injury and disease.