Academic Staff

Academic staff who supervise other staff or volunteer workers are considered to be supervisors for the purposes of the Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act, 1986, and as such they have specific legal responsibilities. They must complete the OHS on-line training package for supervisors and may also need to complete other local area OHS training.

In addition, academic staff who supervise other staff have specific legal responsibilities for the purposes of the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, 1986. Module 7 of the on-line training package provides information about their Injury Management responsibilities.

Volunteer workers are not covered by the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, 1986.

The text below is an extract from the OHSW Policy

7.1.4 Supervisors of workers

Any staff member, whether academic or non-academic, who provides guidance or instruction to any other staff member or volunteer worker regarding their work activities is considered to be a supervisor for the purposes of the OHSW Act, 1986.

The supervisor is then responsible for ensuring that any worker they supervise receives an appropriate OHS induction, is fully informed about the hazards associated with the work undertaken, is adequately trained and instructed in safe working procedures and is appropriately supervised. Supervisors must ensure that all induction and training records are kept and that regular workplace inspections are carried out when requested by the OHS Committee or Chief Warden and/or when other circumstances require such an inspection.

Supervisors of workers must undertake the OHS on-line training package for supervisors.

In consultation with elected Health and Safety Representatives supervisors are directly involved in the identification of hazards, evaluation of risks and determination and implementation of appropriate control measures.

Last updated: 27 February 2007