role of supervisors to identify the effectiveness of the
system in controlling the hazards and risks relating to
the operation. Where there appears to be a shortcoming
in the arrangements this should be reported to the
senior management so that a review of the system can
be undertaken.
In many organizations formal systems exist to
undertake periodic reviews of safe systems of work
regardless of whether shortcomings have been identified.
This ‘active’ or ‘proactive’ approach has some distinct
benefits such as:
➤ Re-enforcing the organization’s safety culture
➤ Identifying where technological advances can be
introduced to the safe system of work, to reduce
the risk
➤ Assist the organization to fulfil its obligation to consult
with its workforce
➤ Prevent conditions worsening that could result in
injury, damage or loss.
Part of the monitoring and review programmer should
also take into account emergency procedures, which
will not necessarily be tested on a regular basis, such
as a gearing mechanism breaking down on an industrial
machine or a tower crane operator suffering an ill-health
effect that prevents descent via the access ladder.
Emergency procedures and arrangements are discussed
later in this chapter.
Systems of work that are out of date, ineffective or
present an obstacle to production or service delivery
will be unlikely to be fully implemented. It is therefore
essential that an organization ensures that it has a robust
system for monitoring, reviewing and revising its safe
systems of work.