Information for New Staff
The University of New England OHS Responsibilities
The University of New England has a legal responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment for its employees, students and visitors.
There is the general requirement under Common Law and also specific requirements placed on the University under various Acts and Regulations. The main piece of legislation is the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 and Occupational Health Safety Regulations 2001 and the associated Codes of Practices.
Induction
All new staff are required to attend a general UNE Induction (11am Mondays, OD Training Room) and have a site specific OHS induction within their work area carried by their supervisor .
An on-line OHS induction is also available. To access the OHS for UNE employees course: 1) Connect to the UNE homepage ; 2) Click Studying Online at UNE under the UNEonline header; 3) Enter your UNE username and password. The My Units page will open. The course will be listed there. Click the course title to open.
Good Management Practice
UNE recognises good OHS practice as good management practice. The University of New England Occupational Health and Safety policy commits it to providing a safe and healthy environment for work and study.
University management, through its senior officers, Heads of Schools, Heads of Cost Centres, Heads of Colleges and Supervisors, are responsible for ensuring that relevant safety standards and procedures are implemented, reviewed and maintained in their area of responsibility. UNE has a risk management approach to OHS issues.
It is the responsibility of all persons working in any aspect of the University's environment to take proper care for the health and safety of persons at their place of work and/or study who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
If required hard copies of the UNE Occupational Health and Safety documents are available from the Occupational Health and Safety Unit.
Consultation
Supervisors have an important role in the consultation system.The University also has OHS representatives, OHS workgroups and an OHS Strategic Committee.
A source of expertise on OHS
The role of the Occupational Health and Safety Unit is to provide a source of expertise to the University on all facets of occupational health and safety, workers compensation and rehabilitation. The functions of the unit include:
- providing advice on legislative compliance;
- inspections and audits of workplaces;
- conducting OHS training courses;
- analysis of accident and injury data;
- major incident investigation;
- management of worker's compensation claims; and
- assisting in the rehabilitation of injured staff.