Regulating Systematic Occupational Health and Safety Management

Abstract

Summary The promotion of systematic occupational health and safety management (SOHSM) represents a comparatively recent but significant realignment of regulatory strategy that has been embraced by many, if not most, industrialized countries. As yet there has been little critical evaluation of the origins and implications of this shift, and to what extent the experience of these measures differs between countries. This article seeks to start the process of answering these questions by comparing SOHSM in Norway and Australia. We identified a number of common challenges (problems of “paper” compliance, limited union input and the growth of precarious employment). In particular, the article highlights the interdependence of OHS and industrial relations regulatory regimes and argues the move away from inclusive collectivist regimes places significant constraints on independent vetting of SOHSM—a crucial element in their effectiveness.

Work environment and participation: the case of teachers in Denmark and New Zealand

“…British and Australian studies (Walters, ; Walters et al ., ) have found that worker representation and consultation produced better outcomes in OHS than management acting alone. Similar studies have also suggested that trade union presence positively impacts on OHS (Fairbrother, ; Saksvik and Quinlan, ). Additionally, the existence of a broad framework of participative practices through unions, and works councils as exist in European countries, is likely to impact on the effectiveness of specialised OHS committees (Harris, ; Knudsen, ).…”

Making a Difference

“…We acknowledge that this study is limited both by its sample size and its reliance on unionized worker representatives. Our findings may also not generalize across other national and industrial contexts, although we suspect they will, given the many similar legislative, technical and corporate conditions in other jurisdictions (Saksvik and Quinlan, 2003;Walters, 1996c). Further research is also needed to confirm the existence of the different forms of representation identified here and the claim that they have different impacts on working conditions.…”

Occupational Health and Safety Management in Organizations: A Review

“…2000; Gallagher et al . 2001; Saksvik and Quinlan 2003; Vinodkumar and Bhasi 2011). According to Frick and Wren (2000, p. 19), systematic OHS management ‘aims to identify sources of injury and ill‐health early in the production process and to produce countermeasures before injury or ill health occurs’.…”

“…Over the last twenty years, there has been a growing body of literature on what appears to be a global trend in the adoption of systematic OHS management (see for example , Bluff 2003;Borys 2000;Gallagher et al 2001;Saksvik and Quinlan 2003;Vinodkumar and Bhasi 2011). According to Frick and Wren (2000, p. 19), systematic OHS management 'aims to identify sources of injury and illhealth early in the production process and to produce countermeasures before injury or ill health occurs'.…”