Training and testing
These procedures are the fourth and last of the four components of the University of South Australia’s Emergency Response Plan. The purpose of these schedules is to summarise the training and testing measures the University takes to reduce the likelihood of emergency and crisis situations and to minimise the extent of damage arising from these situations.
Relevant Legislation
The University’s training and testing measures are designed to comply with all relevant government regulations, in particular:
- Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare Act, 1986
- Disability & Discrimination Act
- Building Code of Australia & associated Acts
Annual staff training schedule
Mandatory training is coordinated by the Director of Services and is conducted throughout the year. Specific training modules are conducted for:
- Security Staff
- Building Evacuation Officers and Wardens
The Crisis Management process also support an annual schedule of reviews and exercies.
Essential safety and provisions testing
The University complies with essential safety testing provisions as detailed in the Development Act of 1993. The Director of Services maintains a detailed testing schedule covering:
- Access for appliances
- Air-handling systems
- Egress paths
- Emergency power supply
- Emergency warning and intercommunication systems
- Fire detection and alarm systems
- Fire-fighting services and equipment
- Fire protection and compartmentation
- Lifts
- Signage
The University recognises that regular inspections are effective mechanisms for identifying workplace hazards. The University Occupational Health Safety & Welfare policy requires each school or unit to:
- Inspect the work area for hazards on a frequent and systematic basis and document and evaluate the findings
- Cost Centre Manager to conduct workplace inspections
- OHS & W Unit to record information supplied by Cost Centre Manager
- Analyse and monitor work practices, procedures and systems for heads of schools and managers of units and form the basis of mandatory half-yearly reporting on occupational health and safety performance to OHS&W Department
- Develop and implement a priority action plan for hazard control
These inspection reports provide a monitoring system for Heads of Schools and Managers/Directors of units and for the basis of mandatory half-yearly reporting on occupational health and safety performance to the OHS&W Department
Information for staff and students
The University Services Unit is involved in Student orientation each year which includes information on safety and security on campus, security escorts, and emergency contact procedures.