March 2000 Volume 81 Number 3 "serving the protectors"
Straight to the Point
By Trevor Haskell  PASA Executive Committee Member

Occupational Health & Safety

It is pleasing to see more energy being put into occupational health and safety (OHS) within SAPOL. There has been a number of reviews of policy, procedures, training and staffing levels over the past 12 months or so. There can be little doubt that, historically, this area has been under-resourced.

In the Police Gazette (issue 2 2000) reference is made to the OHS Project Team and the redesigned and expanded roles of the OHS service co-ordinators. The same gazette outlined the further developments of the Operational Safety Implementation Project and the new Incident Management and Operational Safety Training course (IMOST) and criteria. The notion of yearly qualifications is always welcome and will further enhance the positive public image of police in South Australia.

These are positive steps toward a safer workplace. I expect there will be teething problems identified as the new procedures bed down, but OHS should remain a permanently evolving process to ensure we are the benchmark for other services. If the issue is not kept at a high profile, the initial burst of training will wane. Training is time-consuming and it will be hoped that the staffing numbers increase to again allow time for development of a professional attitude to all OHS training.

A continual improvement model must apply to all occupational health, safety and welfare issues. All employees are responsible for safety in the workplace. All then have a responsibility not only to identify possible faults but also report them. The OHS service co-ordinators and the members of the Corporate Preventions Section are welcome additions in the management of health and safety in the workplace.

While I see the new urgent duty driving general order is included in the IMOST training, I did not pick up where the issue of regular driver training fits in. Given the significant cost of accidents and the continual developmental changes to vehicles, I am sure that this will also be on the Operational Safety Portfolio planning list in the near future - if it’s not already.

OHS requires vigilance by all. Effective OHSW consultative committees will continue to be critical local feeders of ideas and feedback as to the effectiveness of the new training courses. I hope the IMOST training provides the training springboard to a healthier and safer workplace.

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