But accountants in public practice firms should also understand that it’s important to incorporate systems of OHS into their day-to-day operations. From the point of view of WorkSafe and the laws in place, public practice firms have the same legal responsibilities as do construction firms when it comes to OHS.
New harmonised legislation has been enacted in some states already and is expected to be implemented around Australia in the near future. Under the new law, individuals such as directors, CEOs and managers can be held personally liable for omissions and incidents that breach OHS standards if their actions or workplace systems are seen as not reasonably practicable.
Accounting injuries
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2009–10 data reveals that an extraordinary 640,700 people experienced work-related injury or illness in that period. But even more surprising are the injury rates for managers, professionals and clerical and administrative workers. These groups suffered injuries at fully half the rate of machinery operators, drivers and labourers – the groups we typically think of as being at greatest risk of getting injured on the job.
Workplace injuries to white-collar employees are most commonly caused by:
- lifting, pushing or pulling;
- slips, trips and falls;
- repetitive strain injuries;
- falls from height;
- vehicle accidents; and
- exposure to mental stress.
The high incidence of injury and illness suffered by workers in occupations that are generally considered low-risk can be attributed partly to a lack of understanding of OHS issues on the part of business owners, managers and employees prior to being involved in an incident.
Penalties
Incidents involving claims for workers compensation or a complaint from an employee can bring WorkSafe inspectors to your workplace and the prospect of Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs) or penalties. Penalty units under the current law in Victoria equate to possible fines of $232,000 for an individual and $1,161,000 for a body corporate.
Mental health
Mental health symptoms may not be visibly dramatic, but they have the
potential to affect anyone in the office. High stress levels have been shown to lower people’s immune response and can contribute to a number of health issues, including heart disease. Unusual behaviour on the job – frequent irritability, mood swings, dishevelled appearance, overreactions to situations, anxiety and depression are all indicators that someone may need help, either professionally or at the workplace level.
Appropriate office layout, good air quality, the elimination of excessive noise, adequate lighting and a comfortable office temperature can all help to minimise stress.
Put systems in place
Accountants make a living by providing sound advice to clients and are in a good position to identify signs that OHS is being overlooked by a business. If a client’s productivity has dropped, absenteeism is up, medical costs are rising or insurance premiums are higher, it’s probable that health and safety issues are affecting the business. Signs like these should prompt a referral to an OHS professional, who can help address workplace safety, employees’ health – and the prevention of what is potentially a costly drain on company resources.
Likewise, a smart accounting practice will implement its own health and safety systems. Otherwise, it puts its staff and its profits at risk – both from an operational point of view, as a result of legal intervention by the authorities, and potentially from disgruntled employees who may have a legitimate axe to grind.
