Australian WHS versus UK HSAW is a FREE video, which compares the two different approaches. It’s based on my long experience of working on both sides. It will be useful for anyone who wants to understand how Australian WHS has evolved away from its UK heritage.
Are you a safety professional thinking of emigrating from the UK to Australia? Well, I’ve done it, and here’s my BREXIT special guide! In this 45-minute video, The Safety Artisan looks at the similarities and differences between British and Australian safety practices. This should also help Aussies thinking of heading over to work in the UK and even, dare I say it, to the EU…
Key Points: Australian WHS versus UK HSAW
- Introduction. With BREXIT looming, British and Australian professionals may be thinking of working in each other’s countries;
- Legislation. Our laws, regulations, and codes of practice are quite similar;
- Guidance. Try the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or the Safe Work Australia websites – both are excellent;
- Jurisdictions. This is complex in a federated state like Australia, so Brits need to do their homework;
- Regulators. This varies by industry/domain – many are very similar, while some are quite different;
- Cultural Issues: Australia vs. the UK. Brits and Aussies are likely to feel quite comfortable working in each other’s countries; and
- Cultural Issues: Australia vs. the EU. There are some commonalities across the EU, but also dramatic differences.
The Transcript
Click here for the transcript:
Australian WHS versus UK HSAW: Topics
This is a free full-length show. I think it’s going to be about 30 minutes just to let you know [it’s actually 45 minutes long]; in those 30 minutes, we’re going to compare the British and Australian approaches to safety. We’re going to talk about the similarities and differences between Australian and British legislation. On the safety guidance that’s available from the various authorities in the different jurisdictions in the UK and Australia. Jurisdiction is not really an issue in the UK but certainly is in Australia, so that’s something we really need to go through.
We’ll talk about regulators and the different approaches to regulation. And, finally, some cultural issues. I may mention the dreaded EU. It’s worth talking a little bit about that too because there are still significant links between the EU and the UK on how safety is done which Australians might find helpful.
Introduction
Now, where’s Michael Bublé when I need him to sing the song? It says it’s looking a lot like Brexit. With the Conservatives winning in the UK they’ve passed the Brexit act. It looks like it’s finally going to happen. Now whether you think that’s a good idea or not I’m not going to debate that, you’ll be pleased to hear – you’re sick of that, I’m sure.
There are going to be some safety professionals and other engineering professionals who were working in the EU. And who maybe won’t be able to do so easily anymore, and there might be some Brits thinking well maybe this is an opportunity. This is a prompt for me to think about moving to Australia and seeing what life is like there. Conversely, there may be Aussies seeking opportunities in the UK because if the flow of professionally qualified Engineers and so forth from the EU countries dries up or slows down then there might be more opportunities for Aussies. Indeed, the UK has been talking about introducing an Australian-style points-based immigration system. And I think we might see a favorable treaty between UK and Australia before too long.
What have I got to contribute here? I spent quite a few years in the UK as a safety engineer and safety consultant and I worked on a lot of international projects. I worked on a lot of UK procurements of American equipment. And I also worked very closely with German, Italian, and Spanish colleagues on the Eurofighter Typhoon for thirteen years on and off. And I have quite a bit of experience working in Germany and working with the French. I’ve got I think quite a reasonable view of different approaches to safety and how the UK differs from and is like our European counterparts.
Also, [in 2012] I emigrated to Australia. I went through that points-based process, fortunately with a firm to back me up. I made the transition from doing UK-style safety to Australian-style safety.
Let’s get on with it!
Australian WHS versus UK HSAW: It’s Free!
(By the way, you can get a bundle of lessons on Australian WHS, SFARP, and Safe Design here.)