The OHS System comprises of a 5 stage cycle.  Paradoxically, it starts with a “management review” of safety in the workplace.  After all, if you don’t have a clear idea of what is going on it becomes more difficult to plan effectively.

Stage 1 - Management Review

Remember the “plan”, “do”, “review” and “improve” cycle?  This stage primarily relates to review.  In other words, it is a “stocktaking” exercise.  What data do we have, what does it tell us and what does it mean for future planning? 

In the best of systems, the management review is well supported by audit and measurement processes.   This stage will incorporate some high level risk identification and assessment activity based on the data.

Stage 2 - Planning

This is the point that we address the risks identified in the management review stage and determine the appropriate level of control (i.e. elimination, substitution, isolation etc) to be applied.  This is also the stage in which the nature of the controls is determined, appropriate to the assessment of the identified risks.  Again, in the best of environments, there will be consultative processes that enable all stakeholders to contribute directly and indirectly.

Stage 3 - Policy and Procedures

Some practitioners include the development of policies and procedures in the “planning” part of the cycle.  It really doesn’t matter.  Semantics should not get in the way of progress toward an imp

Policies and procedures document both the intent and how the intent is to be achieved in terms of workplace safety.  Some policies and procedures will relate to very specific risks to safety (e.g. manual handling) whilst others might relate to the health of the system as a whole (e.g. Internal Audit policy).  What the policy and procedure framework will do is to put everybody in an organisation “on the same page” when it comes to safety.  Not surprisingly, policies and procedures are only as good as their implementation.

Stage 4 - Implementation

This is the “do” part of the cycle, where the “rubber hits the road”.  Policies, procedures, regular programs and processes are implemented in the workplace.  This stage is the practical application of all that we have learned about our own workplace and the associated hazards. 

The implementation stage is often the most visible OHS activity to observers and employees within an organisation.  It is the “road test” for the strategies arising from the review and planning stages.

Stage 5 - Audit and Measurement

No system can survive on guesswork alone.  Measurement of key performance indicators and auditing of processes and procedures will provide quantitative and qualitative data which feeds useful intelligence into the management review and planning stages.  This stage will confirm the degree to which strategies, policies and procedures are implemented and the degree to which they are effective.  Gaps in the system, or less than successful outcomes are identified through audit and measurement activity, highlighting areas for further development or improvement.