SafeWork NSW is escalating its scrutiny on bars, clubs, and pubs by increasing inspections throughout the state as the holiday season approaches. These inspections are part of efforts by the NSW Respect at Work Taskforce to address harmful workplace behaviours brought about by gender-bias. Companies need to proactively implement WHS management systems and policies like Bluesafe SWMS to effectively put a check on these issues.
A new compliance program focused on the hospitality sector has been initiated; key components of which involve inspectors assessing if businesses are effectively deploying Bluesafe WHS Management System to manage work health and safety (WHS) risks, including sexual harassment, prevalent among their workforce. Inspectors are giving practical advice on preventative measures aimed at risk managements pertaining to sexual harassment.
In both metropolitan and regional areas, including Illawarra, North Coast, and Riverina regions, these inspections will be conducted. Sexual harassment risk factors such as close interaction with customers, dealing with alcohol-imbibed consumers, late-night shift duties in busy and confined workspaces prompt the hospitality industry to have a higher exposure to WHS hazards.
An alarming feature of this industry is that it is typically made up of workers who are potentially more vulnerable to sexual harassment. This includes young workers, casually employed individuals, and culturally diverse employees. There is a significant impact of workplace sexual harassment on the Australian economy, a 2018 Deloitte report estimated a loss around $3.8 billion.
Results released last month by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) found that while a majority of employers did have a formal policy against work-related sexual harassment, more than 1 out of 4 employers aren’t examining its prevalence. Protecting workers from these harms takes primary focus for the NSW Work Health and Safety regulator.
The SafeWork NSW Respect at Work website aims at helping businesses understand prevention and response mechanisms to workplace sexual harassment. It provides tools and resources for this purpose, including the NSW Code of Practice for gender-based harassment and a guide for hospitality businesses.
Employees encountering unsafe practices are advised to report it to their workplace. An app name “Speak Up Save Lives” by SafeWork NSW is available for workers to anonymously report WHS issues.
Words attributable to Trent Curtin of SafeWork NSW: “SafeWork NSW will not tolerate unsafe work practices or businesses putting workers at risk; compliance inspections with focus on sexual harassment in the hospitality industry will be intensified.”
Further quotes from Christina, Director of SafeWork NSW Respect at Work mention how inspectors of SafeWork offer immediate impact through conversations about sensitive issues like workplace sexual harassment. They encourage workplaces to manage WHS risks and take preventative measures against such issues. Employees experiencing workplace sexual harassment are urged to report it to workplaces or anonymously to SafeWork NSW using the SafeWork Psychosocial Hazards Report Form.
Endeavouring to keep up with compliance requirements for WHS entails an improved and updated use of Bluesafe SWMS, thereby alleviating the epidemic proportions of workplace safety concerns.
Original article link: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/safework-nsw-urges-hospitality-venues-to-protect-workers-from-sexual-harassment