The Paradox of Evidencing Safety – How frontline safety documents can undermine safety and create Legal Risk

A SIRF Masterclass examining current frontline risk assessment tools, exploring the paradox where efforts to evidence safety may potentially undermine it and heighten legal exposure

Attend on-site at Coogee Chemicals Cob Training Room, cnr Patterson and Kwinana Beach Roads, Kwinana WA

or join us online

This event is Free for SIRF Members 

About this Event

Many organisations implement a wide variety of documents and processes designed to be used by frontline workers to manage the risk associated with their work. The range of tools include safe work method statements, job hazard analysis, checklists, Take 5s and many others.

While these processes are primarily designed to enhance worker safety, they also serve a crucial secondary purpose: managing legal risk by "evidencing" the organization's efforts to address work health and safety risks.

However, a substantial body of case law suggests that in many cases these processes can sometimes fail to improve safety outcomes for frontline workers.  Worse yet, they may inadvertently create significant legal risk for both the workers and the organisations they work for.

In this presentation, Greg Smith will delve into the use of frontline risk assessment tools and explore the paradox where efforts to evidence safety may actually undermine it and heighten legal exposure.

Greg Smith - Partner

Experience

As a leading workplace lawyer, Greg’s technical expertise is deep, providing some of Australia’s largest and most significant employers with strategic advice on compliance, incident investigation management and response, safety management and representation in various legal proceedings.

Greg has also devised and delivered comprehensive training programs and is regarded as a leading provider of safety and health training, particularly in the areas of management responsibilities and contractor safety management. He also developed and taught the Accident Prevention Unit as part of the School of Public Health, Health, Safety and Environment at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia.

Greg has appeared in the Supreme Court, District Court and Magistrates Court of Western Australia, the Federal Court, Equal Opportunity Tribunal and the State Administrative Tribunal.  He has also been involved in military boards of inquiry into major accidents.

Who Should Attend?

SIRF Masterclasses are for any SIRF Member interested in the topic of the day, and looking to hear more from an expert in that field. 

About SIRF Rt Masterclasses

All SIRF events are designed to provide a safe environment for open discussion with peers on the topic of interest they are working on, in and around. Masterclass Events are one of SIRF's signature formats, and you must come prepared to learn!  Speakers for Masterclass Events all have a deep understanding of their topic, and will engage the audience at a medium to high level with their content. Masterclasses typically start with a detailed presentation by the speaker followed by time for roundtable discussion on the topic to promote peer-to-peer learning and networking.

This event is included free in SIRF Roundtables membership

FAQs

When do I need to register by?

Registration typically closes one business day before the event

Investment?

This event is included in SIRF Roundtable membership

Who can I contact for further information?

WA :   Henk Koster             henk.koster@sirfrt.com       Mobile: 0400 109 861