Does safety management create as much risk as it manages?

Organisations invest heavily in safety management systems, yet time and again prosecutions reveal that these systems fail to prevent catastrophic workplace events. Beyond not being effective, prosecutions also reveal that safety management systems create legal risks for organisations, and the implementation of safety management systems, though well-intentioned, actively create legal risk for individuals and organisations.

In this presentation Greg Smith will examine recent cases where the application of an organisation's own safety management system not only failed to manage legal risk, but actually contributed to it. in several instances, these systems became a focus in prosecutions where it had created additional legal and safety risks for organisations and individuals, and was found to be an aggravating circumstance increasing the culpability of the organisation. These real‑world examples challenge conventional thinking about the role and effectiveness of safety systems.

Greg will also explore current approaches to WHS assurance and governance, providing insights into different ways of thinking about assurance and governance that offer opportunities to improve workplace health and safety outcomes and better align to effective legal risk management.

What You’ll Explore:

Insights from recent prosecutions involving safety management systems
How safety systems can unintentionally increase legal risk and liability
Understanding when systems become aggravating factors in legal cases
Critical review of current WHS assurance and governance approaches
Practical perspectives on improving safety outcomes and managing legal risk

Agenda

Intros and setting expectations
Main Presentation
Group discussions and Q&A
Conclusion

Meet the Presenter

Greg Smith - Partner, Workplace Relations & Safety | Jackson McDonald Lawyers

International award‑winning author and qualified lawyer with over 30 years’ experience in safety and health management, Greg works with organisations to help them understand their responsibilities and develop practical processes to meet them. He has held senior roles including Principal Safety Advisor in oil & gas and General Manager Health and Safety in the transport and mining sectors, and has experience serving on boards and audit and risk committees. Greg has also lectured in Accident Prevention at Curtin University in Western Australia. A respected published author and co‑author of multiple books, as well as an award‑winning editor in the field of safety management.

FAQs

What will I need to participate in this event?

Access to a PC / Tablet / Smartphone with Camera and Microphone.

How do I connect to my event?

You will be sent a zoom link one day prior to the event.

About SIRF Events

All SIRF Rt events are designed to provide a safe learning environment with presenters from all over the world. Our webinar events start with a detailed presentation on the topic by an experienced individual, usually followed by a discussion on the topic.

This is a free event to SIRF Member companies.

Not a SIRF Member company? Please contact us at info@sirfrt.com to discuss membership options.

Who can I contact for further information?

info@sirfrt.com

events@sirfrt.com

Jeff Naylor: Jeff.Naylor@sirfrt.com

Contact the host of OERt Masterclass | Rethinking WHS Assurance and Governance