Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Policy

Policy

The University is committed to the proper management of occupational health, safety and welfare, which ranks equally with all other operational considerations. The University will provide a safe and healthy workplace for its staff, students, contractors and visitors by having a planned and systematic approach to the management of occupational health, safety and welfare and where necessary, injury management and rehabilitation, and providing the resources for its successful implementation.

Legislative Framework

The following specify the duties of employers and employees for the health, safety and rehabilitation of people at workplaces:

• South Australian Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare Act 1986
• Workers’ Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986
• Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1995
• Approved Codes of Practice

Where University staff are working in University premises in other States, the relevant State legislation applies.

Objectives

The objectives of this policy are to ensure that:

3.1 hazards and risks to health and safety are identified, assessed and, where they cannot be eliminated, are controlled effectively;

3.2 measures to control hazards and risks to health and safety are monitored and evaluated regularly;

3.3 there is a systematic risk management approach to the management of workplace hazards;

3.4 there is a continuous improvement approach in University-wide OHSW planning, systems, procedures and injury management;

3.5 staff are consulted and encouraged to contribute to the decision making processes on occupational health and safety matters affecting their health and safety at work;

3.6 managers, supervisors, staff, students, contractors and visitors receive appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision that they need to understand and carry out safely their responsibilities;

3.7 effective support and rehabilitation is provided to staff in the event of a work related injury; and

3.8 workers compensation claims are managed promptly, fairly and equitably.

4

Definitions

 WorkCover definition

 Definition from AS/NZS 4801:2001

5

Scope

This policy applies to workplaces owned, managed or controlled by Flinders University.

6

Strategies

The University will achieve its occupational health, safety and welfare and injury management objectives by developing and implementing an OHS Management System (OHSMS) including appropriate policies and procedures which document standards and assist  managers, supervisors, staff, students, contractors and visitors in carrying out their responsibilities in:

6.1 identifying hazards and risks to health and safety associated with tasks and activities carried out in the University;

6.2 assessing the degree and level of risks arising from hazardous tasks or activities;

6.3 selecting, implementing and maintaining appropriate measures to control risks to health and safety;

6.4 consulting with staff on matters which may affect their health and safety;

6.5 identifying, developing and providing appropriate information, instruction and training to equip managers, supervisors, staff, students, contractors and visitors with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet their responsibilities: and

6.6 developing, implementing and monitoring plans to put the University’s health and safety, injury management and rehabilitation policies, procedures, guidelines and OHSMS  into effect.

7

Responsibilities and Authority

7.1 University Council

The University  Council is responsible for ensuring that the University has appropriate occupational health and safety systems, including review and assessment of those systems.

7.2 Vice-Chancellor

7.2.1 As the Responsible Officer under the OHSW Act, the Vice-Chancellor has the overall responsibility to

• provide a healthy and safe workplace for staff, students, contractors and visitors; and
• ensure that adequate resources are provided to meet the University’s health and safety objectives and implement strategies

7.2.2 In particular, the Vice-Chancellor will ensure that:

7.2.2.1 the University complies with all relevant occupational health, safety and welfare, and workers compensation legislation and standards;

7.2.2.2 appropriate health and safety policies and procedures are developed, implemented and reviewed to enable the effective management of health and safety and control of risks to health and safety;

7.2.2.3 mechanisms are provided to enable staff and their representatives to be consulted on proposals for, or changes to the workplace, work practices, policies or procedures which may affect the occupational health, safety and welfare of staff;

7.2.2.4 Cost Centre Heads, Managers and Supervisors are provided with the necessary information and training to enable them to carry out their health and safety responsibilities effectively;

7.2.2.5 mechanisms are established to enable the assessment of managers’ and supervisors’ health and safety performance;

7.2.2.6 occupational health and safety performance is an integral part of the University’s business and financial plans;

7.2.2.7 mechanisms are established to monitor and report regularly on the University’s health and safety performance; and

7.2.2.8 annual health and safety strategic and operational plans are developed, implemented, monitored and reviewed to meet the University’s health and safety objectives and continuous improvement approach.

7.2.3 As Responsible Officer, the Vice-Chancellor will submit an annual Responsible Officer Report to WorkCover SA.

7.2.4 The Vice-Chancellor has the authority to approve OHSW, injury management and rehabilitation policies (other than this Policy) and procedures, to make decisions and act on any matter of OHSW, injury management and rehabilitation for the entire University, and to do all things required to ensure that the University’s health and safety standards are met.

7.2.5 The Vice-Chancellor will report annually to University Council on OHSW, injury management and rehabilitation matters.

 

7.3 Cost Centre Heads

7.3.1 Cost Centre Heads are responsible and accountable for health and safety within their Cost Centres, including planning, review and monitoring of OHSW programmes.

7.3.2 In particular Cost Centre Heads are responsible for ensuring that:

7.3.2.1 relevant health and safety policies, procedures, guidelines and programmes are implemented;

7.3.2.2 there are adequate human, physical and financial resources to implement and monitor relevant health and safety programmes, policies and procedures;

7.3.2.3 communication/consultative mechanisms are established;

7.3.2.4 appropriate OHSW training is provided;

7.3.2.5 safety programmes are implemented, monitored and reviewed  to address legislative compliance; and

7.3.2.6 they understand employer and officer responsibilities under the OHSW Act.

7.3.3 Cost Centre Heads have the authority to make decisions and act on any matter of OHSW management within their Cost Centre.

 

7.4 Managers and Supervisors

7.4.1 Managers and Supervisors are responsible and accountable for the day-to-day health and safety within their areas of responsibility and have the authority to fulfill those responsibilities.

7.4.2 In particular, Managers and Supervisors are responsible for

7.4.2.1 carrying out their roles and responsibilities as specified in relevant health and safety policies, procedures, guidelines and programmes;

7.4.2.2 implementing relevant health and safety policies, procedures, guidelines and programmes in their areas of responsibility;

7.4.2.3 ensuring that hazards in work/study/research in their areas of responsibility are identified, risk assessed and controlled and that these risk control measures are monitored regularly and maintained;

7.4.2.4 ensuring that staff and students under their management or supervision are provided with the necessary information, instruction and training to carry out their jobs, study or research safely and effectively; and

7.4.2.5 providing leadership and setting a good example for staff and students in occupational health and safety matters.

 

7.5 Staff and students

7.5.1 Staff and students are responsible for taking care to protect their own health and safety and to avoid affecting adversely the health and safety of any other person in the workplace.

7.5.2 In particular staff and students are responsible for:

7.5.2.1 complying with relevant University health and safety policies, procedures and programmes;

7.5.2.2 carrying out their roles and responsibilities as specified in relevant health and safety policies, procedures, guidelines and programmes;

7.5.2.3 obeying any reasonable instruction aimed at protecting their health and safety in the workplace;

7.5.2.4  using any equipment provided to protect their health and safety in the workplace;

7.5.2.5 assisting in the identification of hazards, the assessment of risks and implementation of risk control measures;

7.5.2.6 reporting any incident or hazard in the workplace to their manager or supervisor;

7.5.2.7 considering and providing feedback on any matters which may affect their health and safety; and

7.5.2.8 not being so affected by alcohol or another drug that they endanger their own or any other person’s health and safety.

 

7.6 Contractors

Contractors are responsible for:

7.6.1 following University policies and procedures including contractor safety requirements;

7.6.2 complying with all relevant OHSW legislation, standards and codes of practice; and

7.6.3 ensuring that they do not, through their acts or omissions, do anything that could put at risk their own health or safety or that of University staff, students, other contractors or visitors.

7.7 University OHS Committee

7.7.1 The University will establish an OHS Committee consisting of management and staff representatives and reporting to the Vice-Chancellor. The OHS Committee is the principle forum for management to consult with staff on broad health, safety, welfare and policy issues.

7.7.2 The Committee is responsible for:

7.7.2.1 assisting in the development, monitoring and review of health and safety policies and procedures;

7.7.2.2 considering proposals for, or changes to, the workplace, policies, work practices or procedures which may affect the health and safety of staff;

7.7.2.3 promoting awareness of health and safety across the University;

7.7.2.4 monitoring the University’s health and safety performance, including the development and implementation of OHSW strategic and operational plans;

7.7.2.5 reviewing and monitoring any issues associated with rehabilitation of injured workers; and

7.7.2.6 assisting in the resolution of health and safety issues.

7.8 Cost Centre OHS Committees

Each Cost Centre will establish a Cost Centre OHS Committee consisting of management and staff representatives to monitor and provide advice to the Cost Centre Head on all matters relating to the occupational health and safety of staff in the Cost Centre.

7.9 Health and Safety Representatives

7.9.1The University will encourage and facilitate the formation of work groups and the election of Health and Safety Representatives to represent staff on health and safety matters.

7.9.2 Elected Health and Safety Representatives are responsible for:

7.9.2.1 representing staff from their work group on health and safety matters;

7.9.2.2 investigating health and safety related complaints;

7.9.2.3 making representations to management and reporting back to staff on any matter relating to health and safety;

7.9.2.4 discussing with staff proposals or matters which may affect their health and safety;

7.9.2.5 assisting managers and supervisors to identify hazards, assess risks and implement risk control measures;

7.9.2.6 monitoring risk controls, and health and safety policies and procedures.

 

Review and Policy

This Policy will be reviewed regularly in light of legislative and organisational changes, and in any case, every four years, in consultation with the University Occupational Health & Safety Committee.