The employer must have arrangements in place to:
- Plan – make the right plans
- Do – execute those plans
- Check – determine if the plans are working
- Act – put measures in place if the plans are not working
PDCA is a powerful framework for continuous improvement pertaining to workplace health and safety.
Examples of how PDCA plays out in the workplace
Plan
Hazard identification and risk assessment
Developing health and safety policies and procedures
Training and awareness campaigns
Do
Implementing risk control measures
Reporting and investigating incidents
Maintaining and inspecting equipment and machinery
Check
Monitoring performance and health and safety metrics
Auditing and inspections
Requesting feedback from employees
Act
Reviewing and updating policies and procedures
Taking corrective action and addressing any identified shortcomings
Continuous improvement
By implementing this PDCA cycle, organisations can move beyond reactive safety measures and proactively create a culture of safety that prioritises prevention and continuous improvement.
