Industries or Associations often have to abide by Codes of Conduct or Codes of Practise. But what is the difference? And why should they be developed?
In 2009 Latus wrote and registered the ‘Australian Steel Industry’ Code of Practice and contributed to the development of the ‘National Logistics’ Safety Code of Practice, and again, in 2012 Latus wrote the Chain of Responsibility Code of Practice for the ‘Refrigerated Warehouse Transport Association’.
What are Codes of Practice?
A Code of Practice is commitment by their industry to provide guidelines through which they can operate together; legally, safely and efficiently.
Codes of practice are a set of written rules or guidelines that explain how the industry and the people should behave or operate; they may contain explanatory information or preventative strategies, and are prepared for the purpose of providing:
- practical advice
- preventative strategies; and
- a practical means of achieving any code, standard, rule, provision or specification relating to the industry
The codes are practical guidelines developed for and by; industry, traders associations, public authorities, employers, workers, enterprises, and specialized occupational safety and health protection bodies.
Code of Practice Versus Code of Conduct?
Some groups operate under Codes of Conduct rather than a Code of Practice, so what is the difference? Basically a Code of Conduct is a set of guides that recommend voluntary actions that members may or are advised to follow. ‘Code of Practice’ applications are more rigorous, in that the guides become mandates and those who wish to comply with the Code of Practice must follow exactly what is set down within the code, in order to comply with and be covered by it. As such when industry or associations or companies develop a Code of Practice, it has, more substance and the exact following is mandated.
Why develop Codes of Practice
A Code of Practice will bring together a group of independent businesses that can collaborate on issues that enable them to put forward a common and pre tested approach to safety and compliance. A code of Practice is never about collusion, but allows the common use of solutions to be used within a group or industry context.
By developing Codes of Practice the industry shows that it recognizes the responsibility they have to the operators within their industry and to all members of the community in ensuring that their actions promote; safety, integrity and fairness
