Workplace Improvement Sessions

Pinnacle strongly believes in a collaborative approach to risk management, which is why we recommend Workplace Improvement Sessions in conjunction with developing Manual Task Risk Assessments and Action Plans.


Method

Following the completion of a site assessment a Pinnacle Consultant will facilitate a session with a small group of workers (4-8) to discuss some of the hazards associated with aspects of the task and explore a variety of potential risk controls.

During the session we will facilitate discussion between workers regarding potential risk controls to ensure that the final 'Action Plan' (i.e. risk controls) are well suited and appropriate to the job demands and needs of workers, providing a greater likelihood of success following intervention.

Workers are encouraged to discuss ideas / suggestions about how these issues (i.e. hazards) may be eliminated or minimised. They are also able to raise additional hazards / risks that they may feel have been overlooked, or require further investigation. This allows workers to think about Risk Management (OR workplace improvement) at an individual level, but also facilitates discussion with other co-workers.

The ways of controlling the risk of MSDs are then ranked from the highest level of protection and reliability to the lowest using the hierarchy of risk control.

The control measures are aimed at eliminating or minimising the frequency, magnitude and duration of movements, forces and postures by changing the source of risk: the work area, tool, load, environment, method of handling and / or the way work is organised.

The outcomes of the 'Workplace Improvement' session are documented in the Action Plan.


Outcomes

The outcomes of Workplace Improvement Sessions are:
  • Increased worker / workplace awareness and understanding surrounding the risk management process relating to manual tasks.

  • Enhanced worker ownership and buy-in with regards to proposed risk control interventions following consultation.

  • Provision of risk control interventions that are relevant to the workplace and developed at the worker level, ensuring they meet job demands / needs.

  • Cost-effective, targeted, outcome driven and multi-level approach to manual task risk control interventions within the workplace.