Providing the tools to keep you on track

Smart OHS systems provide an online OHS management tool, which is offered free of charge to all AHA (NSW) members who have a Hotel Employers Mutual workers compensation insurance policy.

The system was developed by Chris Beasley of Smart OHS, who previously worked in the hotels industry in Queensland and was an OHS consultant to the (AHA (NSW) member) Surfside Hotel Group in NSW since 2004. Chris's company, Smart OHS, has been delivering OHS consulting and training services to the AHA (NSW) as an associate member since 2005.

Why Smart OHS?

By talking to many hotel owners, licensees and staff over this time, Chris experienced first hand just how little time hotels had to commit to OHS. It became increasingly clear that some hotels were using over-complicated and extremely complex systems. What was even more worrying was that some hotels didn't even have an OHS system.

With or without an OHS system in place, Smart OHS systems adapt to your hotel to make OHS quick and simple. Best of all, the system is completely free of charge for all Hotel Employers Mutual workers compensation insurance policy-holders.

To ensure that the system exists in compliance with the requirements of the NSW hotels industry, Smart OHS is in regular consultation with David Barry and Paul Clarke from Hotel Employers Mutual. In order to commence operations, initial consultations took place with Carolyn Kitchener-Moore (former IR head at AHA NSW) and Philip Ryan (IR Head at AHA NSW) and in July 2007, WorkCover NSW audited Smart OHS. To improve the systems further, weekly feedback is used from the many member hotels large and small who use the Smart OHS systems (currently 503 AHA (NSW) members).

How Smart OHS systems works

The Smart OHS system works by issuing an ongoing series of email reminders, which prompt members to undertake OHS-related tasks.

A typical member would login four times per month and would perform such tasks as:

A monthly workplace inspection, new staff inductions, load some contractor insurance details (so they cannot lapse without the member knowing), and possibly lodge an incident report.

Each system task is very easy to perform and the details can be saved by keying into the online Smart OHS system. One of the key features (of the system) is that each task records a date for follow up so that the member will be notified through an email when they need to monitor how an issue has progressed. Each member can also view a 'My History' section of all records created at any time. Using Smart OHS makes OHS very easy. Smart OHS makes OHS sense.

Who needs Smart OHS?

The answer in short - every AHA (NSW) member. It is a common misconception that OHS and having an OHS (management) system is optional. This is not the case.

According to the OHS Act 2000 and Australian Standard 4801 (OHSMS), every business in NSW must have a mechanism in place to routinely review and improve OHS within the workplace (an OHS Management System). With Smart OHS, AHA (NSW) members can feel more comfortable that they are compliant with all relevant OHS legislation.