Health and Safety Policy

Chloe Miller Public Seen by 0

Under new health and safety legislation, organizations have duties to engage with workers and enable them to participate in improving health and safety. They must:

ensure that worker's views on health and safety matters are asked for and taken into account, and
have clear, effective, and on-going ways for workers to suggest improvements or raise concerns on a day-to-day basis.

With the new legislation coming into effect at the end of the month, we need to build and agree on a policy.

This policy impacts everyone in Oatmilk Co-op, and is a legal obligation for the organization. So I am starting a Consent process to invite your participation in developing the policy and consent to adopt the policy.

I have made a start on a draft health and safety policy

Poll Created Tue 6 May 2025 2:35AM

What questions do you have about the Health and Safety policy? You have until Mon 12 May 2025 12:00AM to participate.

What are you proposing?

We are developing a Health and Safety policy.

Please read the legislation and draft health and safety policy.

Why is this important?

A Health and Safety policy is a good way to document responsible practices and provide a safe working environment for everyone. And there's the additional prompt to do this now to comply with new legislation coming into effect at the end of the month. 😉

What are you asking people to do?

This is a question round, where you are invited to ask clarifying questions.

What do you need to know so you understand the proposal?

Please respond before the Question round closes.

4 of 5 people have participated (80%)

Jaiyush Devi Tue 6 May 2025 2:35AM

Mental health should probably be in there... does that fall under "stress"?

Takashi Kim Tue 6 May 2025 2:35AM

Thanks Chloe for getting this started. Should the policy include the purchase and maintenance of provisions like a first aid kit and making sure we have an earthquake response kit for the office?

Sanjay Garcia Tue 6 May 2025 2:35AM

¿Debe la política incluir salud y seguridad con respecto a las computadoras portátiles?

Según mi comprensión de la ergonomía, tener un teclado conectado a una pantalla garantiza una mala postura. Tener una pantalla al lado de las manos tensa el cuello, y esos teclados planos y cuadrados tensan las muñecas y los hombros.

¿La política incluirá configuraciones ergonómicas para el uso de la computadora?

Mary Wang Tue 6 May 2025 2:35AM

To what extent is burnout included in the policy?

I think this is a likely risk factor for our context. I was reading about it and experts have identified 6 factors to burnout:

work overload
lack of control
insufficient reward
breakdown of community
absence of fairness
conflicting values

Specifically addressing risk in each of those areas seems like a responsible approach, as well as being aligned with our culture and values.

Poll Created Tue 6 May 2025 2:43AM