Re: Volunteer OHS and RSA

Nic Doncaster (nldoncas@cobweb.com.au)
7 May 1997 09:33:55 GMT

In the finiocky world of railway enthusiasts and volunteers, I can see mass
exodus of people if OHS is "foisted" on them.
I Have heard of a few who have run off and climbed to the top of Mt Whatever and
bought either the RSA or OHS or Both "laws" back carefully engraved in solid
stone. EEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGhhhhhhhhhhhhh
How to get OHS/RSA compliance to not exist in one easy step.
Authoritarian OHS/RSA is a recipe for failure.
It must be consultative. The people who use the systems should, or better say
must, have an input into the very systems that wil govern how they "enjoy thier
hobby".
The best way to ensure (or at least encourage) that the systems will be followed
is for those who use them, to write them. And have them reviewed by someone who
has experience in the area.
Train Train Train.
Implementation must be associated with training. Why write something if its only
going to sit on a shelf, and get pulled out when the proverbial fan starts
working.
And, (it seems like I'm preaching), the consultative process includes a safety
committee, or at least tool box talks (err how american), that has certain
roles, functions and responsibilities.

Maybe that way, some of the safety stuff will work.
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