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Occupational health, safety, welfare and injury management
POLICY NUMBER: C-6.4
DATE OF APPROVAL: 16 December 1991, C-12/91-59.1
AMENDMENTS: March 1992, February 2001, November 2001, June 2002, October 2003,
May 2007, March 2010 (Endorsed by SMG & OHSW&IM Committee)
REFERENCE AUTHORITY: Vice Chancellor
CROSS REFERENCES:
OHSW & Injury Management Strategic Plans 2009-2011
OHSW&IM System, January 2010
Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986
Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 2010
Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986
Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation (General) Regulations 2010
Policy HR-25.1 Performance Development and Management (PDM)
Policy HR-29.1 Ionising Radiation
Policy HR-30.0 Non-Ionising Radiation Safety
WorkCover SA Performance Standards for Self Insurers 2009
AS/NZS 4804:2001 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems –
General guidelines on principles, systems and supporting techniques
AS/NZS 4801:2001 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems –
Specification with guidance for use
AS/NZS 4360:2004 – Risk Management
Policy statement
The University is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and
healthy environment for employees, students, contractors and visitors,
and to the continuous improvement of injury prevention and injury
management programs with the goal of achieving the highest possible
standards. In the event of a work related injury, the University will
provide effective claims management and rehabilitation assistance aimed
at supporting injured employees through their period of illness or
injury and then promoting optimal recovery and a safe return to work
(where possible).
This commitment is in accordance with the provisions of the
Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act (1986) and Regulations
(2010), the Workers’ Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (1986) and
Regulations (2010), and WorkCover SA Performance Standards for Self
Insurers (2009) as amended.
Definitions
Hazard: is a situation that has the potential to cause injury
or illness, harm to health, and/or danger to property or the
environment.
Health: includes both physical and psychological health.
Health and Safety Representative (for the purposes of the
OHS&W Act 1986): is a person elected by a designated work group to
represent that work group on occupational health and safety matters.
Injury Management: is the provision of workers’ compensation
and rehabilitation services.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): are indicators used to
measure, monitor and evaluate the successful implementation and
effectiveness of a management system, in accordance with policy,
objectives and targets.
Manager: for the purposes of this Policy, a manager is any
person who has responsibility and accountability for the health, safety
and welfare of any person under their control (for example: senior
management, divisional pro vice chancellors, directors of
centres/research institutes, heads of schools, directors of
administrative units and division managers.
OHSW&IM: means Occupational Health, Safety, Welfare and Injury
Management.
Performance Standards for Self-Insurers: the minimum standards
set by WorkCover SA by which exempt employers, who manage their own
risk, are evaluated.
Review: is an examination of the effectiveness, suitability
and efficiency of a management system, its elements and components.
Safety: is a state in which persons are or feel protected, as
far as practical, from the risk of injury.
Senior Managers: comprise of the Vice Chancellor, Pro Vice
Chancellors, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellors and Executive Directors who
form the Senior Management Group (SMG).
Supervisor: for the purposes of this Policy, a supervisor is
any person, academic or non-academic who provides guidance and/or
instruction regarding the activities of another person at
work/study/research or undertaking volunteer activities.
Welfare: is the general wellbeing of persons.
Workplace: is any location where University activities of
employees and students occur; it includes field locations, overseas
travel locations, work placements, all external spaces, vehicles,
aircraft and ships.
Objectives
- Minimise OHSW risks with the aim of achieving zero harm to
employees, students and any other person associated with University
business.
- Achieve legal compliance with the Occupational Health Safety &
Welfare Act 1986, Dangerous Substances Act, Radiation Protection &
Control Act and associated Regulations, Codes of Practice,
Australian/New Zealand Standards and WorkCover SA Performance
Standards for Self Insurers.
- Work towards OHSW strategies becoming integrated into University
business practice i.e. learning, teaching, research and associated
support functions.
- Assist employees to achieve a healthy work life balance through
the provision of a targeted wellness program and a counselling
service.
- Minimise workers compensation costs through prevention
strategies and sound injury management practices.
- Minimise the severity of employee work related injury or illness
by facilitating earliest referral for medical assessment and
treatment.
- Provide assistance and information to injured or ill employees
to minimise the impact of their condition.
- Manage workers compensation claims in accordance with the
requirements of the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986
and WorkCover SA Code of Conduct for Self Insurers.
- Support employees to remain at work or return to work at the
earliest opportunity through the recovery period, as appropriate, by
providing suitable duties and rehabilitation services.
- Facilitate a mutually acceptable outcome for both the injured or
ill employee and the University in the event that the condition does
not resolve.
Principles
- The University is committed to providing and maintaining a high
standard of health, safety, security and wellbeing for all people
within the workplace.
- The University recognises that the health, safety and wellbeing
of its people and others are integral to the success of the
University's operations and therefore OHSW considerations have
priority in teaching, learning, research and all support functions.
- The University through its Senior Management Group will monitor
and evaluate OHSW&IM performance and ensure a process of continuous
improvement.
- The University will comply with all legislative requirements
(Acts, Regulations, Codes of Practice and Australian Standards) by
the development and implementation of policies, procedures and safe
systems of work designed to achieve and maintain healthy, safe and
injury-free work environments. Policies and procedures for injury
management will ensure legislative compliance and effective
management processes are in place.
- The University through its Senior Management Group will promote
and nurture an organisational culture that adopts health and safety
as an integral component of its management philosophy.
- Adequate resources both internal and external will be allocated,
where required, to develop and support the University’s OHSW&IM
System.
- OHSW&IM responsibilities and accountabilities are clearly
defined within this Policy and applied through inclusion in position
descriptions, employee Performance Development and Management (PDM)
plans and OHSW&IM procedural documentation.
- The University will implement equitable claims management
processes in accordance with the Workers’ Rehabilitation and
Compensation Act and the WorkCover SA Performance Standards. Claims
management will include the provision of rehabilitation assistance
which involves communication and consultation, early intervention,
effective case management practices, and the use of collaborative
processes to enable a timely, safe and effective return to work
(where possible).
- OHSW&IM principles will be integrated into operational
management practices by incorporating a hazard management approach
to teaching, learning, research and associated support functions.
- Supported by Senior Management Group, strategic and local area
OHSW&IM planning will incorporate objectives, strategies, targets,
performance measures, effectiveness measures and outcome measures.
- Adequate OHSW&IM information, instruction, training and
supervision will be provided to enable all employees and others to
carry out their roles efficiently and to fulfil their individual
defined responsibilities and accountabilities.
- A safe and healthy working environment will be achieved in
consultation with employees and health and safety representatives,
and through continually improving systems for managing health and
safety.
- The University is committed to introducing a University-wide
wellness strategy to enhance wellness, fitness and healthy
lifestyles.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the Vice Chancellor
The Vice Chancellor has been appointed as the Responsible Officer
under Section 60 of the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986
and is responsible for:
- the OHSW&IM performance of the University including the
implementation of the OHSW&IM Policy and associated procedures;
- ensuring the Senior Management Group takes a lead role in the
implementation of OHSW&IM initiatives and develops a safety culture
to ensure resilience and long term OHSW&IM success;
- setting objectives and targets for OHSW&IM performance and
improvement;
- ensuring that the OHSW&IM system continues to meet the evolving
needs of the University;
- ensuring that OHSW&IM is included in all employee Performance
Development and Management (PDM) plans and that individual OHSW&IM
performance is measured against relevant defined responsibilities.
Responsibilities of Senior Managers
Senior Managers are responsible for:
- operational aspects of the OHSW&IM System within their area of
control in accordance with current OHSW&IM system requirements and
legislation;
- integrating OHSW&IM into operating business functions;
- reporting to the Vice Chancellor on OHSW&IM performance for
their area of responsibility;
- ensuring that OHSW&IM key performance indicators (KPIs) form
part of every Line Manager’s Performance Development and Management
(PDM) plan
Responsibilities of Managers
Managers are responsible for:
- ensuring all hazardous work tasks are identified, risk assessed,
controlled and documented and regular reviews are conducted in
consultation with employees;
- ensuring that all supervisors are adequately trained to fulfil
their OHSW&IM responsibilities;
- ensuring that relevant OHSW&IM learning programs are identified
for employees;
- ensuring identified OHSW&IM learning programs have been included
in individual employee Performance Development and Management (PDM)
plans and identified programs are completed and documented to ensure
individual competence in OHSW&IM related activities;
- consulting with employees on any proposed changes to the
workplace;
- ensuring all incidents are reported and investigated in
accordance with system requirements and recommended control measures
are implemented;
- ensuring that adequate resources (human, financial and material)
are provided to effectively implement the requirements of the OHSW&IM
system;
- ensuring OHSW local action plans are developed, implemented and
progress monitored in accordance with system requirements;
- approving objectives and targets for OHSW local action plans;
- reporting progress and performance against their OHSW local
action plan at least quarterly to their relevant Senior Manager;
- submitting OHSW local action plans, incorporating evidence of
action taken, to OHSW&IM Services annually in accordance with system
requirements;
- ensuring injury management processes are applied when employees
are injured at work and, where possible, employees are returned to
their pre-injury duties at the earliest opportunity.
Responsibilities of Supervisors
Supervisors are responsible for:
- ensuring safe systems of work;
- ensuring a safe work environment including that plant and
equipment is provided and maintained in a safe condition;
- providing employees and others with adequate information,
instruction, supervision and training relevant to their work tasks;
- consulting with employees on matters relating to OHSW&IM;
- ensuring an adequate induction is provided for employees,
students, contractors and visitors;
- reviewing OHSW local action plans in consultation with
employees;
- ensuring non-conformances identified through audit, inspections
and observations are included in the OHSW local action plan and
addressed in order of risk priority;
- ensuring standard operating procedures are developed where
required;
- ensuring injury management procedures are applied when employees
are injured at work, including the provision of suitable duties for
employees returning to work following work related injury or
illness;
- developing and testing relevant contingency plans.
Responsibilities of Employees
Employees are responsible for:
- carrying out their work in a manner which does not present a
risk to themselves, others or to the environment;
- obeying any reasonable directive given in relation to health and
safety at work, including the use of equipment provided to protect
health and safety;
- complying with any procedure relating to health and safety at
work;
- contributing to the improvement of the OHSW&IM system through
participation in consultative forums;
- reporting all incidents, defects, hazards and inadequacies of
procedures so that appropriate review and corrective action can be
taken;
- assisting in identifying OHSW&IM training and development needs
and attending training.
Responsibilities OHSW&IM Services
OHSW&IM Services are responsible for providing an OHSW&IM consultancy
and advisory service and will:
- develop strategic OHSW&IM policy, procedures, guidelines and
plans;
- provide assistance to managers and supervisors with the
implementation of the OHSW&IM system at the local level;
- review and measure performance and compliance with the OHSW&IM
system via an OHSW&IM internal audit program;
- review effectiveness of the OHSW&IM system implementation;
- develop appropriate OHSW&IM learning programs for both online
and face to face delivery;
- ensure that the OHSW&IM system is efficient and streamlined and
provides adequate tools to assist the management of risks;
- provide technical assistance with regard to OHSW&IM risk
management strategies;
- facilitate OHSW&IM culture change in the University;
- coordinate the safe return to work of injured employees.
- report University OHSW&IM Committee performance quarterly to the
Senior Management Group through OHSW&IM Services reporting
processes.
- provide an annual report to the Vice Chancellor summarising the
Committee’s effectiveness in meeting the Terms of Reference.
Implementation
This endorsed policy is published and accessible on the University
Intranet OHSW&IM Website.
Evaluation
This policy will be reviewed on at least a two yearly cycle and
evaluated for its effectiveness in delivering objectives and improved
OHSW&IM performance. Recommendations will be reported to the Vice
Chancellor.
Further information or assistance
Further information or assistance is available from:
- Human Resources Unit
- University managers and supervisors
- Senior Management Group
Next Review Date: To coincide with the introduction of
National OHS Legislation by December 2011.
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