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MTA promotes workplace safety as a core value and believes that with the necessary encouragement and support small business will adopt safe work practices and systems that are sustainable. This is where MTA can step in to help members.
In acknowledgement of the importance and demand for advice on safety in the motor vehicle industry the MTA Board have approved the appointment of Chris Macainsh as the MTA Occupational Health and Safety Consultant.
Chris is qualified to provide the following services to members:
- Safety Audits using the WorkSafe Plan as a standard.
- Australian Refrigeration Council pre-audits.
- Interpretation and advice on the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
- Ongoing OHS Consultancy.
In a spirit of collaboration with Member Associations and business WorkSafe are providing support through the ThinkSafe Small Business Assistance Program. This is an important first step to assist small business in establishing a safety system.
Chris believes that the ThinkSafe Small Business Assistance Program is an excellent program which has been well accepted by the business people who have participated.
More importantly the feedback that has been received from those that have implemented the action plan is they have made a difference in practical ways to improve safety. And many have implemented the SMS which is important from a compliance point of view and raising safety in the minds of employers and employees.
What sort of activities is undertaken as part of the assessment? Chris will interview the owner of the business and some employees to understand how the business manages safety in the workplace. Next we check if they have a SMS in place and do they report and investigate workplace incidents.
The next step is to inspect the premises in particular the workshop environment. The inspection enables a risk assessment of the hazard areas of the general environment, manual handling, electricity, slips and trips, chemicals and hazardous substances, machinery guarding and working at heights to be performed. A report, SMS risk assessment and action plan are then prepared and presented for the business to implement
Please contact Chris Macainsh at MTA on 9453 7941, or email cmacainsh@mtawa.com.au for more information.
For more information and application forms for the ThinkSafe Small Business Assistance Program please Click Here
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