Survival of the fittest

The upcoming harmonisation of national OHS laws has many organisations struggling to see how, or if, budgets can possibly be stretched further to gain compliance. However, doing so need not break the bank. Paying close attention to existing systems and some creative thinking, when it comes to skilling up OHS teams, are the best steps an organisation can take to prepare for this, or any other, new legislative regime.

Legislative and other changes are an increasing reality of business life. The key to adapting successfully is having people with the skills to identify and respond to those changes appropriately, supported by systems that are robust and flexible enough to be adjusted, as needed, to cover all bases.

It mainly comes down to sustainability: the ability to adapt to meet new demands and ensure survival over the long term. Old school rigidity or ‘tick the box’ thinking is never going to succeed in the current environment of change. Perhaps more than ever before, it is the ‘human factor’ that is at play here: the very real reliance that companies now have on the strength and capability of their people to carry the organisation forward.

For example, there is nothing in safety management that is once only, or ‘set and forget’. The new legislation reinforces the requirements of standards such as AS/NZS 4801: essentially, that constant recalibration and assessment in response to a changing internal and external environment is required if statutory requirements are to be met. The critical factor for success is the ability of the team to do this.

The issue for many organisations is that, while they appreciate this in theory, the perceived expense and disruption involved in upskilling staff with face-to-face training can become a mighty obstacle.

It is recognition of this reality that has led to the development of more flexible and cost-effective training options that overcome these kinds of obstacles.

Such options draw on a combination of technology and the leading theories of adult learning to deliver fast, cost-effective solutions that genuinely engage learners, providing businesses with the on-the-ground expertise they need to meet, and preferably exceed, their compliance obligations.

For example, organisations should be investigating online training delivery that gives the benefit of anytime, any-place, self-paced learning - with no need for the expense of in-person training or for staff to be off-site. ‘Blended’ learning is another effective option that is increasingly available, where a variety of methods, including online and face-to-face, is used to deliver optimum outcomes for minimum outlay.

From an organisational standpoint, as well as cost reduction, an online approach also provides critical measurability both in terms of: tracking learner groups to measure progress and skills against compliance needs; and as a clear objective demonstration of commitment and capability to achieve excellent OHS performance.

So, if your organisation is scrutinising its OHS performance in anticipation of the imminent changes, think creatively about the best way to embed compliant behaviour and systems throughout the business, because this offers the best chance of success.

Written by Ann Quach, General Manager, Training and Improvement Solutions at SAI Global. She has worked in the Education and Training industry for over 10 years and leads a national team dedicated to developing an individual’s capability - through flexible and accredited courses - to lead organisations towards achieving and maintaining certification.