Linking the environment to employee health and safety is the focus of an innovative new management system at Marrickville Council in New South Wales. General Manager, Candy Nay, said the Safe and For the Environment system (SAFE) integrates moves to protect the environment with employee health and safety in a way that no other system has achieved.
“The project involves a comprehensive risk management approach, emphasising prevention by eliminating risks, promoting safe methods, staff ownership, with employees driving the system,” she said.“It also has a continuous improvement focus, integrating learning and training and reviews of day to day operations.”
SAFE has led to great improvements in organisational performance since it began in 2002. Since its introduction, lost time incidents have been reduced by 78 per cent, Council’s workers compensation premium have reduced by over 63 per cent, and lost time incidents in the business units have reduced by 84 per cent. At the same time, staff awareness of work safety and environment protection have increased significantly.
A Strategic Energy Team has implemented 35 energy reduction projects including lighting upgrades, heating, ventilation and airconditioning upgrades; installation of a photovoltaic system and enabling Energy Stars on all PCs. Smart Office Resource Teams have been established to address office waste and resource usage.
Candy Nay said SAFE has also led to more effective use of resources, improved sustainable practices and patterns of cooperation and communication within the organisation.
“Through the establishment of work review teams, staff are maximising collaborative efforts and making constructive changes to their own work,” she said.
“The community benefits from an improved range of safer services. Reducing the costs of workers’ compensation premiums enables Council to redirect savings into programs and services for the community and enhance its capacity to deliver value for money services.”
Throughout the implementation of SAFE, Council promoted the progress being made and celebrated staff successes. This has resulted in a marked increase in morale among employees who can see how their involvement is resulting in a safer, healthier and more sustainable workplace and environment.
For more details contact Candy Nay on (02) 9335 2022.
