Choose a trusted printer for your manuals, safety permits, Take 5 Safety books and employee handbooks.
Workplace safety is crucial for any business. When injuries happen, the company has to deal with costly medical bills as well as reduced productivity due to lack of personnel.
Employers and employees can benefit from printed guides on how to improve safety during work hours. Among the most common operational materials found in the workplace are safety manuals, safety permits, Take 5 safety books, and employee handbooks. Which types do you need for your business?
Safety manuals
A safety manual is a collection of policies and procedures on how to safely operate a device or exercise safe conduct in the workplace.
The Standard WHS Manual contains basic guidelines based on Australian Standard 4801. Since these are general policies, this management system may be applied to any small- or medium-sized business.
For specialised industries such as construction, mining, and manufacturing, the Standard WHS Manual must be amended with additional protocols that are specific to these workspaces.
Safety permits
Safety permits are designed to plan and control work – to ensure the highest standard of protection for people and property. Permits define areas that are considered potentially hazardous so that contractors, supervisors and staff are all aware of the risks.
Why are safety permits crucial?
- To ensure that all work specified in the document is conducted in a manner that complies with safety standards and legislation.
- To ensure that all work specified in the document does not impact adjacent works or conflict with activities in progress.
- To ensure that the work area has been inspected and potential hazards have been identified.
- To ensure that all persons undertaking work have appropriate competencies.
Some of the industries that require safety permits include:
- Building
- Carpentry
- Excavation
- Line Work
- Electrician
- Plumbing
- Refrigeration
- Communications Data
Take 5 safety books
The Take 5 safety program is an indispensable guide for all industrial workers that deal with workplace hazards.
Take 5 paperbacks provide a clearly defined step-by-step procedure in assessing risks and preventing accidents – containing everything you need in a pocket-sized booklet.
Instructions in a Take 5 safety book are easy to follow. Each employee must complete these steps before undertaking a potentially hazardous task.
Take 5 safety books must be:
- Compliant – Take 5 pocketbooks are developed and accredited by the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia.
- User-friendly – Take 5 booklets should have quick and concise checklists for easy assessments in real-time.
- Portable – Take 5 books are small enough to fit the jeans pocket so that employees can carry them at all times.
- Weather-resistant – You can request your printer to bind Take 5 booklets in water-resistant covers to protect them from harsh work conditions.
What to include in a Take 5 safety book:
- Step-by-step action plan
- Real-time safety analysis checklist
- Safe work method statement forms
- Incident/injury report forms
- Hazard assessment matrix
- Hierarchy of controls
Take 5 safety book specifications:
- The book should measure 130mm x 80mm in size.
- The book must have robust, laminated covers that can withstand harsh weather and wear and tear.
- The book must include hazard prompts.
- The book must include hazard reports on the back cover.
- The book should have an integrated hazard risk level calculator.
- The book should have a hierarchy of controls diagram.
- The book should be plastic-coil-bound to prevent electric conductivity.
Employee handbooks
An employee handbook outlines your company policies as well as behaviour and performance expectations in the workplace.
Although it is not a legal requirement in Australia, an employee handbook is essential to every business. It is a great way to introduce new employees to your organisation, and update existing staff with any new policy or procedure.
In the event of an employee claim, your employee handbook can help protect your business against lawsuits.
Tips on how to write an employee handbook
- Your employee handbook must be written to meet the specific needs of your business.
- Your employee handbook should include all company rules and regulations – down to the last detail. But don’t let it grow too big that no one would want to read it.
- In addition to basic employment guidelines, your employee handbook should introduce your company vision, culture, and values that your brand stands for.
- Keep it simple. Written in plain English, your employee handbook should be able to explain company policy in a way that is easy to understand. Poor wording could result in incorrect contractual arrangements.
- You must update your employee handbook every year to accommodate changes in Australian employment law and company policies such as award terms and employee benefits.
- You might want to consider consulting an expert in employment law. Ask them to review the contents of your employee handbook and advise you on legal terms or conditions that may be difficult to interpret.
- The content structure of your employee handbook will ultimately depend on the size of your company, the industry you specialise in, and the communication style you prefer.
While specific details are typically customised for each company, there are general policies that every business should include in their employee handbook. The following sections must be outlined in your document:
- Mission and vision statements
- Code of conduct
- Health and safety policy
- Equal employment opportunity
- Ethics
- Dress code
- Workplace procedures
- Work hours
- Meal/break periods
- Overtime
- Absence and leave policy
- Company property policy
- Internet, email and social media policy
- Compensation and benefits
- Performance standards
- Training and development
- Policies on sexual harassment and bullying
- Substance abuse
- Disciplinary and grievance procedure
- Employment termination or resignation
Each employee should have a copy of the handbook. Better yet, have your employees sign a document that confirms they have received the latest employee handbook.
Jennings Print is Your Trusted Printer in NSW
Here at Jennings, we understand how much effort you’ve put in to create the contents of your manuals, handbooks, and safety booklets. Let us help you present it in the best possible way for you and your brand.
You can choose from a wide range of high-quality finishing techniques, soft or hard cover, and different binding methods. Book an appointment, so we can discuss these details with you and determine which option is best for your business.