Hi Renata – “I recently issued a direction to cease work, my first ever in my 3rd term as a HSR and just wanted clarification on removing the direction when it’s fixed and the process on this.”
Congratulations on a successful cease work direction – it can be scary to issue your first, but any action that keeps your DWG members safe and leads to improved safety across the workplace is worth it. A successful resolution also helps to build trust and respect in your relationship with management with regard to your role as an HSR.
There is no specific procedure for resolution of a direction to cease work – but there are some things that should be checked and documented before normal work resumes.
Meet with the employer (or their representative), preferably at the site of the ceased work, to inspect the issue and ensure that it has been adequately resolved. Reach agreement with management about any required follow-up work – e.g. does management need to review any procedures or install any permanent controls – and if you both agree that it is safe for work to return as usual, then all that is needed is to verbally confirm that the direction to cease work is removed, but I recommend confirming the resolution in writing.
For the same reason, of having contemporaneous records, we advise that when you issue a verbal cease work direction you follow it up with a written cease work notice (here’s our template) – if you have done this, then you may document the details of the controls implemented and your agreement that the issue is resolved and work may return to normal. You could also use our Record of Consultation template to document your discussion with management and your inspection confirming resolution.
Your employer must also record the issue and the controls implemented in their safety management system, as well as any required follow-up or review.
It is also crucial to report back to your DWG members the process and outcomes of the cease work, how it has been resolved, and anything for them to look out for in the future!