Subsidies for the Purchase of Safety Equipment

Approving Authority:	Vice-Chancellor
Establishment Date:	February 1991
Date Last Amendment:	4 October 2005
Nature of Amendment:	Removal of one sentence regarding time lost if not wearing footwear
Date Last Reviewed:	4 October 2005
Publication Reference:	n/a
Contact Officer:	Head, Occupational Health & Safety Unit

Table of Contents

1	Safety Footwear
2	Safety Glasses

1.

Safety Footwear Safety footwear will be provided to general staff members in circumstances where those staff member are exposed regularly to those levels of risk of injury which are greater than normally encountered in domestic, public, office or similar situations and where the supply of safety footwear will reduce the risk to those staff members. 1.1 Eligibility A member of the general staff who is required to work regularly in areas or on tasks designated by the area supervisor (after consultation with the appropriate health and safety representative) as areas or tasks where the levels of risk of injury to such staff member is as described above, shall be eligible for the supply of protective footwear in accordance with these rules. 1.2 Designation of Areas and Tasks The Cost Centre head or his or her delegate (supervisor) shall be responsible for the designation of hazard areas or tasks as described above. The Head of the Occupational Health and Safety Unit may be consulted for advice. 1.3 Responsibilities of Staff Members Where safety footwear is provided to a staff member, in accordance with these rules, that staff member shall be responsible for wearing such footwear when working in hazard areas or on tasks as designated above. If a staff member does not fulfil this obligation, then such staff member shall not commence, or remain on duty until such footwear is worn. A staff member shall take reasonable care of the footwear provided and shall wear it only while on duty. 1.4 Purchase of Footwear A supervisor shall, subject to these rules, authorise the purchase of suitable safety footwear for a staff member subject to that footwear complying with the requirements of Australian Standard 2210. The supervisor may authorise the purchase of more than one pair of safety shoes or boots where different tasks are undertaken by a staff member requiring different footwear or where medical advice indicates that the staff member requires more than one pair of shoes or boots on medical grounds. 1.5 Payment and Record of Issue of Safety Footwear The Cost Centre concerned is responsible for payment for safety footwear for eligible staff and shall maintain a record of safety footwear provided. 1.6 Repair or Replacement The supervisor shall arrange for the free replacement of safety footwear which is so worn or damaged as to be ineffective.

2.

Safety Glasses 2.1 The University provides appropriate safety glasses for all general staff members who are exposed to eye safety hazards. 2.2 The staff member's Cost Centre pays for the required safety glasses. 2.3 Those members of staff who normally wear prescription lenses and who are employed on work where eye protection is needed may, subject to the recommendation of the person to whom the staff member is responsible, be reimbursed by the Occupational Health and Safety Unit for the actual expenditure incurred for the hardening of prescription lenses (new or existing).