OHS Safety Audits
Safety Audits
Auditors assess progress with implementation of OH&S
management strategies and report to the Head of the area concerned
and to the Head of the OH&S Unit who then reports to the
Vice-Chancellor.
Most of the audits are carried out by members of the University's
Audit Team who have been nominated by management in each of
the six major Cost Centres (the four Faculties, Central Administration
and the Libraries). The staff members do not audit their own
work areas.
Audits of 'specialised' hazards - such as boilers and pressure
vessels - are carried out by consultants.
A risk-based model is used to determine which matters are
audited. Factors such as a determination of the risk associated
with each activity, prior internal or external audit experiences
and the degree of student exposure to the particular risk
are used in developing the audit plan.
Click here for guidelines
for auditors.
Click here for scope of audits.
Click here for non-conformance
procedures.
What is a "Non-conformance"
When a business management system is missing or undocumented; when a business management system is ineffective (eg repeated observation of same nature resulting in a potential within the organisation for a serious injury/illness to occur; or a consistent breach of prevailing workers rehabilitation and compensation legislation.
What is an "Observation"
A deficiency in a business management system, that can be readily resolved by the employer and which results in a low risk factor, or an opportunity for improvement.
What is a "WorkCover" audit?
The University is a "self insurer" and as such pays a reduced
levy to WorkCover.
In order to check that the University is continuing to operate
in a manner that deserves that self insurer status WorkCover
conducts their own occupational health and safety audits of
the University.
The WorkCover auditor randomly checks the internal audits
that have been done and also interviews staff at all levels
of the University in order to determine their understanding
of the management of occupational health and safety at the
University.
Safety Inspections
Supervisors regularly carry out workplace safety inspections.
Your Executive Dean/Librarian/Executive Director of Administration
or Occupational Health and Safety Committee may also ask you
to carry out an inspection at any time.
Specific inspection guidelines should be compiled to cater
for each individual workplace. Office based workers can obtain
a checklist from the Occupational Health and Safety Unit.
The following general points apply to most inspections:
- A detailed safety survey checklist specific to each workplace
should be used.
- If protective clothing is required in the work area then
the inspector must also wear that clothing during the inspection.
- The inspection report or brief summary should go to the
area OH&S Committee for consideration at the next meeting.
Updated: 6 December 2007
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