The fifth feature in our Safety Maturity Assessment series looks at Measurement & Reporting. An understanding and appreciation of the value of quality measurement and reporting at individual, team and business levels is a cultural imperative for organisations aspiring to have a resilient WHS Culture.
Critical business intelligence is gathered from robust and timely measurement, and analysis of WHS data. Insights gained from WHS reports assist organisations to make effective decisions for performance improvement. Having access to, and responding to the right information creates better outcomes for people and the business.
There are three broad areas of measuring and reporting:
1. WHS risk profiling (knowledge). These reports provide up-to-date information on the organisation’s WHS ‘risk picture’, and the effectiveness of the risk controls.
2. WHS performance. Like other business imperatives, organisations have WHS objectives, goals and strategies. These reports check the organisation is on track to meet its WHS objectives. Lost Time Injuries are the most prevalent WHS performance metric, however they do not adequately measure the work environment, and they are not a reliable indicator of WHS performance. Better WHS performance metrics include a combination of lead and lag indicators with emphasis on WHS input (effort), and measures that reflect the implementation of WHS controls.
3. WHS assurance. This area focuses on the verification of compliance. This includes ensuring legal obligations are being met, and that practices are following WHS management systems, policies and procedures.
When designing WHS reports, it's important to remember that different audiences have different information needs. WHS measures and reporting in an Annual Report, will differ from WHS reports to boards, management, or staff. In broad terms, WHS reporting to Boards should focus on information to assist in providing assurance and strategic decision-making. For Management, WHS reporting should provide information to assist in making operational decisions, and be able to be cascaded through the organisation for individual area decision making.
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