University of New England

Occupational Health and Safety Plan

2002-2004

CONTENTS

Page
ACRONYMS and ABBREVIATIONS…………………………………….		3
INTRODUCTION………………………………………………...………...		4
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (OHSMS) ……………………………………………………..		5
OHSMS AT UNE ………………………………………………………….		7
1. MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT & STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES …………………………………………..		8
2. OHS ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE ……………………		10
3. OHS RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ……………………….		13
4. PERFORMANCE MONITORING, REVIEWING & PLANNING ….………………………………………………..		29
PRIORITIES FOR IMPLEMENTING OHS POLICIES AT UNE ……...		32
APPENDICES
A	UNIVERSITY OHS ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE (EXAMPLE) …………………………………………………………...	33
B	PROCEDURE FOR RESOLVING OHS ISSUES (EXAMPLE) ….	34
C	PROCEDURE FOR DEVELOPING, IMPLEMENTING, REVIEWING & IMPROVING OHS POLICY (EXAMPLE) ……......	35
D	OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ………………………..……..	36
REFERENCES ………………..……….………………………………….		37

ACRONYMS and ABBREVIATIONS

AS or AS/NZS Australian Standard/New Zealand Standard

Ch Chapter

ChemWatch Hazardous Substance/Dangerous Goods Database

cl Clause

CoP WorkCover Code of Practice

EPA Environmental Protection Authority

HB Hand Book (Standards Australia)

National CoP NOHSC Code of Practice

NOHSC National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (also known as WorkSafe Australia)

OHS Occupational Health and Safety

OHS Act 2000 Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000

OHS Regulation 2001 Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001

OHSMS Occupational Health and Safety Management System(s)

Regs Regulation under the OHS Act 2000, Dangerous Goods Act 1975 or Smoke-free Environment Act 2000

WorkCover WorkCover Authority NSW

INTRODUCTION

On 1 September 2001 the Occupational Health Act 2000 and Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 came into effect. The 2000 Act and 2001 Regulation replaced the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 and Regulations, the Construction Safety Act 1912 and Regulations, and a number of Regulations under the Factories, Shops and Industries Act 1962.

The significant changes introduced by the 2000 Act and 2001 Regulation are:

1. The requirement for workplaces to develop systems to identify, assess, eliminate and/or control all foreseeable health and safety risks. This includes the requirement to implement planning for emergencies;

2. the duty to establish an effective mechanism by which meaningful consultation between employees and the employer can occur on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) matters that affect them. This includes the requirement to provide all employees with adequate OHS representation at the workgroup level through elected Health and Safety Representatives; and

3. the duty to provide formal procedures for resolving OHS issues as they arise in the workplace.

The new OHS Legislation is essentially introducing the requirement to implement contemporary best practice OHS risk management. This will significantly affect the methods by which the University has previously managed OHS and introduces the necessity to implement Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) to enable compliance.

This document recommends a strategy by which the University can work toward achieving and maintaining compliance with the OHS Act 2000 and OHS Regulation 2001.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (OHSMS)

Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS) are by no means a new concept. Many Australian organisations outside NSW have implemented various OHSMS models for many years now in order to meet their OHS requirements in accordance with their state/territory legislation. The 2000 Act contains some new OHS requirements to bring NSW in line with the other states and territories. This can only be realistically achieved by adopting the same approach, that being a fully documented, structured and systematic approach to managing OHS.

While OHSMS are not in themselves a legal requirement, they do enable an organisation to clearly demonstrate they are working toward and achieving their OHS obligations. Whichever OHSMS model is used, all consist of the following mechanisms:

1. Commitment and Policy: An OHS Policy that firmly commits the organisation to meeting its legislative obligations through clearly defined objectives.

2. Planning: Developing an OHSMS model or framework that is coherent with the organisational culture and its activities and still be capable of meeting the objectives stated within the OHS Policy.

3. Implementation: Providing fully established systems for the cost-centres within the organisation to manage OHS and providing the specialist support and knowledge as required.

4. Measuring and evaluation: Monitoring the performance of the OHS systems through positive and negative performance indicators, such as comparing the expected objectives to those that have been achieved, and/or the effectiveness of systems developed with the occurrence and severity of workplace incidence.

5. Review and improve: Review and improve the organisation’s OHSMS in accordance with new or amended legislation, contemporary knowledge, practices, technology, and the organisational factors that affect implementation of the OHS Policy.

Depending on the OHSMS model that is used, the mechanisms may have different titles, or may be broken down and/or switched around to suit the nature of the organisation. Whichever model is adopted, the mechanisms are interdependent and must work together to make the OHSMS effective.

The OHSMS should be designed to initially establish a framework that consists of the main mechanisms by which OHS can be effectively managed. Through establishing the objectives of each mechanism, components such as policies, programs and/or plans that are continuously developed and amended to ensure that the cost-centres are applying the contemporary principles and practices required to meet their OHS obligations. More components may be added to each of the mechanisms as the organisation becomes more accustomed to the OHSMS.

OHSMS AT UNE

The following OHSMS model has been developed with reference to Australian Standard 4801 - 2000: Occupational health and safety management systems – Specification with guidance for use. It has however been adapted to meet the requirements of the NSW OHS legislation and to provide a realistic and genuinely workable method by which an OHSMS can be integrated into the University environment and its activities.

The OHSMS model consists of four components, which are illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1 UNE Occupational Health and Safety System Model

Each component comprises mechanisms that are policies/procedures and/or programs that will be required for the University to meet its OHS obligations under the 2000 Act and 2001 Regulation, and ultimately they should significantly improve OHS performance. A discussion of each component follows providing:

1. an overview of what is entailed;

2. a list of the predominant relevant OHS legislation: and

3. the mechanisms (objectives) that will be developed and achieved to form the UNE OHSMS.

1. Management Commitment & Staff Responsibilities

$ Overview

The NSW OHS Legislation obligates the University (primarily through the Vice-Chancellor and other senior staff) to ensure that its environment and activities are safe and without risk to health for staff, students and visitors.

The success of any management system is dependent on the commitment of the senior staff of the University. This senior staff group must allow the opportunity for the OHSMS to develop and must provide the support and resources required to drive the OHSMS into the Faculties/Divisions for which they are responsible. Without clearly demonstrated firm commitment to occupational health and safety, the OHSMS is destined to be ineffective.

OHS responsibilities do not rest solely with the Vice-Chancellor and the other senior managers. University Line Managers must implement the OHS legislative requirements and the University’s OHSMS into workplaces under their control. In addition, all staff must cooperate with the University’s endeavours in meeting the occupational health and safety requirements.

& OHS Law

1. “An employer must ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all the employees of the employer.” Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000, Section 8, Part 2, Division 1(1).

2. “An employer has a duty to ensure that people (other than the employees of the employer) are not exposed to risks to their health and safety arising from the conduct of their employer’s undertaking while they are at the employer’s place of work.” Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000, Section 8, Part 2, Division 1(2).

3. “If a corporation contravenes, whether by act or omission, any provision of this Act or the regulations, each director of the corporation, and each person concerned in the management of the corporation, is taken to have contravened in the same provision unless the director or person satisfies the court that:

(a) he or she was not in a position to influence the conduct of the corporation in relation to its contravention or the provision, or

(b) he or she, being in such a position, used all due diligence to prevent the contravention of the corporation.” Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000, Section 26, Part 2, Division 4.

4. “An employee must, while at work, co-operate with his or her employer or other person so far as is necessary to enable compliance with any requirement under this Act or the regulations that is imposed in the interests of health, safety and welfare on the employer or any other person”. Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000, Section 20, Part 2, Division 3.

@ Mechanisms for Implementation

Objective 1.1

Component(s)

The University clearly and firmly demonstrates commitment to providing a healthy and safe environment for work and study with defined responsibilities and accountabilities for staff and students.

OHS Policy and Statement to include: 1. Commitment of the University as a whole to the OHS Legislation and the University OHMS. 2. Clearly established objectives or mission statement. 3. Defined responsibilities and accountabilities of senior management to provide the opportunity and resources required to implement and maintain the OHSMS. 4. Defined responsibilities of staff at all levels to comply and cooperate with the OHS Legislation and the University OHSMS as it relates to their position.

Objective 1.2	Component(s)
Educate the University on the principles of its OHS obligations and OHSMS that will be developed and implemented to ensure compliance and a healthy and safe environment.	Provide introduction to OHS Training to include: 1. OHS Law 2. Duties of Supervisors and Staff 3. UNE OHSMS

2. OHS Organisational Structure

$ Overview

One of the new requirements introduced by the OHS Act 2000 is for the University to introduce an established, effective and meaningful system of consultation between the University as an employer and its staff on OHS matters. The system must be designed to enable staff to contribute and add value to the decision making process on health and safety management solutions that affect them. The contributions provided by staff to management must be genuinely considered before decisions are made.

The consultative arrangements must be developed to provide OHS representation for all staff from the “shop floor” to the Occupational Health and Safety Committee. To ensure that the consultative arrangements are effective and meaningful, the consultative structure must reflect the nature of the University environment and its activities. An example of an OHS consultative model that could be used by the University is provided in Appendix A.

Consultation also includes an established system of resolving issues that may arise on OHS matters. For example, where a disagreement between an employee and supervisor might occur during decision making process. The flow chart in Appendix B provides an example of how such an OHS issue could be managed at the University, consistent with the regulatory requirements.

In all probability, the number of elected OHS Employee University Representatives will increase in order to ensure that staff are provided with adequate OHS representation. The University OHS Committee is likely to remain, although its function will be more focused on strategic direction and system implementation and monitoring rather than dealing with day to day OHS matters. Its constitution will therefore need to be reviewed.

The other significant issue that will require consideration is whether or not Faculty/Directorate satellite OHS Committees are warranted. Working groups consisting of OHS Representatives may be more appropriate. The consultative arrangements implemented by the University are dependent on the feedback provided by University staff, and Trade Unions to the systems developed by the OHS Unit.

& OHS Law

Provisions of the OHS Act 2000 (Section 14) require the employer to:

a) share relevant information about OHS and welfare with employees;

b) give employees the opportunity to express their views and to contribute in a timely fashion (before decisions are made) to the resolution of OHS and welfare issues at the workplace;

c) value the views of employees and take them into account when making decisions.

@ Mechanisms for Implementation

Objective 2.1

Component(s)

Develop and implement an OHS consultative structure/system that genuinely reflects the University environment and activities.

Occupational Health and Safety (Consultation Arrangements) Policy to include: 1. Statement of the University’s duty to consult. 2. Develop a consultation mechanism that accurately reflects the University environment and activities, to include: a. OHS consultation structure; b. OHS Committees/Working groups; c. OHS Representatives: and d. OHS consultation requirements. Relevant Documentation: OHS Act 2000, Part 2, Div 2, s 13-19 OHS Regs 2001, Ch 3, cl 21-32 CoP: OHS Consultation

Objective 2.2	Component(s)
Provide a facility by which OHS issues can be resolved in an effective and timely manner.	Occupational Health and Safety (Issue Resolution) Policy to include: Established and structured method of resolving OHS issues as they arise in the workplace. Relevant Documentation: OHS Regs 2001, Ch 3, cl 29 CoP: OHS Consultation

Objective 2.3	Component(s)
Establish a procedure for the election and appointment of University OHS Representatives.	Statement of election process. Relevant Documentation: CoP: OHS Consultation

Objective 2.4	Component(s)
Provide WorkCover Accredited OHS Consultation Training for OHS Representatives.	Training provided in accordance with the WorkCover NSW model training package by an approved trainer. Relevant Documentation: CoP: OHS Consultation

3. OHS Risk Management System

$ Overview

The University can effectively achieve and maintain a healthy and safe working environment for staff students and visitors by implementing an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Risk Management System. Such a system will manage OHS by implementing the three basic steps to risk management:

1. Hazard Identification

The identification of foreseeable University items, activities, situations, products and services that have the potential to cause an injury or illness to staff, students and/or visitors.

2. Risk Assessment

Once a hazard has been identified it is then necessary to measure the risk. The risk has two elements for consideration – (1) the likelihood of an incident occurring as a result of the existence of that hazard, and (2), the outcome, that is the amount of harm or damage that can reasonably be expected as a result of that incident occurring. The degree of risk determines the priority of remedial action to be taken in managing that hazard. Where there is a high level of risk, the hazard should be managed in preference to other hazards that have a moderate or low level of risk.

3. Risk Control

When implementing methods of managing a hazard, there is a procedure that must be followed in order to comply with the 2000 Act. This procedure is outlined below, in priority order:

(a) The elimination of the risk, that is, the removal of the hazard from the workplace so that it no longer exists.

(b) The requirements provided in the OHS Regulation 2001, which places particular control measures on some specific hazards associated with items or activities. Failure to comply with these requirements result in penalties whether or not an incident has occurred.

(c) Industry Codes of Practice or Australian/New Zealand Standards are guidance material that, unless stated by the Regulation, do not have legal force. A person or organisation cannot therefore be prosecuted for non compliance in itself. These documents may however be presented as evidence that a person or organisation contravened or failed to comply with the Act or Regulation.

(d) Guidance notes produced by the WorkCover Authority, National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (WorkSafe Australia) or contemporary research that is available.

(e) The “Hierarchy of Controls” that have previously been an OHS best management practice, have now become a requirement under the 2001 Regulation. They are:

1. Firstly, substituting the hazard with an item or system that poses a lessor risk of harm. Eg. Using a less harmful chemical.

2. Secondly, isolating the hazard from the person(s) at risk with an item or system. Eg. Physical barriers, distance and time.

3. Thirdly, implementing engineering systems. Eg. guarding, extractive ventilation or emergency cut-off switches,

4. Fourthly, administrative means. Eg. Providing, information, training, safe work practices and safety signage.

5. Fifthly, implementing personal protective equipment and clothing.

It should be noted that meeting the specifications in the 2001 Regulation or an Industry Code of Practice does not necessarily demonstrate compliance with the 2000 Act. It may be necessary to implement additional measures in accordance with one or more of the hierarchy of controls to ensure that the most effective method of hazard management is implemented consistent with the level of risk.

The implementation of subordinate OHS policies and procedures to the OHS Policy would provide practical guidance in meeting the requirements under the 2000 Act for the University to ensure that hazards are identified, assessed and controlled in a manner that is consistent with best practice OHS management.

The OHS Unit will attempt to identify those stakeholders who are most likely to be affected by the implementation of an OHS Policy and provide them with the opportunity to be involved in development from the draft stage. However participation in policy development will be optional for any interested University staff member (See Appendix C).

The system aims to provide practical guidance for Faculties/Directorates to meet their OHS obligations by implementing the policies/procedures into the workplace. This ensures that hazards are managed without spending unnecessary time or resources, and that appropriate control measures are applied in a consistent manner throughout the University.

OHS Policies will be developed for the University depending on the relevant risk complexity and severity. Some risks can be managed by a School/Unit with little difficulty by following a basic procedure written into an OHS Policy. Other risks can be quite complex to manage and will require significant advice and support from the OHS Unit.

Outlined below are three examples of different risks and how the subordinate OHS Policies will address them.

Smoke-free Environment Policy

Exposure to tobacco smoke in University buildings is a rare occurrence with a relatively low-level risk of harm. It can also be managed by the supervisor of the workplace by following the basic procedure written into the policy. Involvement from the OHS Representatives, OHS Committee(s) and/or OHS Unit would not normally be required.

Plant Management Policy

There are several risks associated with using plant, including:

· Physical injury due to moving parts;

· Electrocution and other hazards associated with fuel; and

· Noise and vibration.

Statistically, incidents that occur while working with plant are uncommon, however when they do they often result in significant/serious injuries/illnesses and prosecution from the relevant authorities. In managing these risks, specialist knowledge and technical equipment is sometimes required.

In most office environments, items of plant can be managed by the supervisor once provided with a procedure. However, managing plant used for processing or machining in environments such as laboratories and workshops may require significant input from the OHS Unit, particularly where licensing or monitoring of plant activities is required in accordance with the OHS legislation.

Schools/units with staff who have limited knowledge and/or experience in managing OHS risks may require further advice from the OHS Unit about the identification, assessment, and the selection and priority of implementing risk control measures.

Computer Workstation Ergonomics Policy

The operation of computer workstations is highly unlikely to result in permanent disfiguring injuries or a prosecution from the relevant authorities in the event of an injury. They do however significantly contribute to the occurrence of workplace injuries at the University, and to the cost of workers’ compensation claims. Computer related injuries are caused primarily through poorly designed workstations and/or poor working habits.

Although basic computer ergonomic training can be provided at a group level, it is most effectively managed with an individual assessment because of the complex ergonomic issues that sometimes occur, particularly if there is a pre-existing injury. This Policy is more instructive about the basic ergonomic principles of computer workstations and informs the University staff of services offered by the OHS Unit rather than a prescriptive method of managing computer workstations.

While the subordinate policies do not address all OHS risks at the University, they will significantly reduce the exposure to risks that are likely to result in the loss of life, serious injury or significant injury occurrence.

The policies and procedures will contain up to four components that assist and provide information on managing risks to Schools/Units. These are listed below.

Risk Assessment

Risk assessments will be included in some policies because it is impossible to control some particular risks with policy/procedure alone. The Risk Assessment will in most cases be specific to that risk, and can be carried out by any person who has basic qualifications and/or experience in the type of work where that risk is likely to exist. Where required, training and support in conducting the Risk Assessment will be provided by the OHS Unit.

Training

Specific training programs will be developed and provided by the OHS Unit for schools/units as part of managing certain risks. To enable compliance with the OHS Act 2000, some training programs will require compulsory attendance for staff who are involved in certain activities and tasks. Supervisors of Schools/Units will reserve the option to direct staff to attend some training programs

With the exception of the WorkCover Accredited OHS Consultation Training and First-Aid Training that is required under the OHS Act 2000, all training sessions will be restricted to 1-2 hours to encourage attendance.

Medical Surveillance and Protection

Where staff are required to work in excessively noisy environments or are exposed to specific hazardous substances and biological hazards in certain working conditions, there may be a requirement for them to undergo medical surveillance or to be provided with immunisation or vaccination. Medical surveillance and protection will involve an appointment with a medical practitioner or other forms of testing such as audiometry.

Competency Requirements

Various activities can only be performed safely by persons with particular qualifications, knowledge and/or skills, some of which are required by law through certification. Other tasks that do not necessarily require certification may still be inherently hazardous because of insufficient knowledge and skills required of the individual to safely carry out the activity. Minimal training requirements will be specified.

& OHS Law

The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000, Section 8, Part 2, Division 1. obligates the University to the following duties:

(a) “ensuring that any premises controlled by the employer where the employees work (and the means of access to or exit from the premises) are safe and without risks to health,

(b) ensuring that any plant or substance provided for use by the employees at work is safe and without risks to health when properly used,

(c) ensuring that systems of work and the working environment of the employees are safe and without risks to health,

(d) providing such information, instruction, training and supervision as may be necessary to ensure the employees’ health and safety at work,

(e) providing adequate facilities for the welfare of the employees at work.”

@ Mechanisms for Implementation

Objective 3.1

Component(s)

Preparation for the management of various disaster/emergency situations.

Occupational Health and Safety (Emergency Response) Policy to include: · Fire/Bomb Threat · Armed hold-up · Chemical spill · Critical incident response (Severe Injury) · Post-traumatic recovery Relevant Documentation: OHS Regs 2001, Ch 2, cl 17 AS3745: Emergency control of organisation and procedures for buildings (Note: to be superseded). HB 76: Dangerous Goods – Initial emergency response guide.

Objective 3.2	Key Elements to be included
Provision for the treatment of workplace injuries.	Occupational Health and Safety (First-aid) Policy to include: Provision of Fist-aid personnel and facilities requirements Training Relevant Documentation: OHS Regs 2001, Ch 2, cl 20 WorkCover: First-Aid in the workplace

Objective 3.3	Component(s)
General safety in laboratories.	Occupational Health and Safety (Safety in Laboratories) Policy to include: General safety requirements. Relevant Documentation AS2243.1: Safety in Laboratories

Objective 3.4	Component(s)
Prevention of tobacco smoke (or similar products) to University buildings and activities.	Occupational Health and Safety (Smoke-free Environment) Policy to include: Abolition of smoking in buildings Administrative controls for smoke exposure to buildings from outside sources. Relevant Documentation: Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 Smoke-free Environment Regs 2001

Objective 3.5	Component(s)
General safety for volunteers.	Occupational Health and Safety (Volunteers) Policy to include: Administrative controls Relevant Documentation CoP: OHS Consultation

Objective 3.6

Component(s)

Safe use, handling, storage and disposal of hazardous substances and dangerous goods.

Occupational Health and Safety (Hazardous Substances/Dangerous Goods) Policy to include: · Hazardous Substance Registers · Material Safety Data Sheets (ChemWatch) · Risk assessment · Health surveillance · Training · Storage/Signage/Labelling requirements Relevant Documentation: OHS Regs 2001, Ch 6.4 CoP: Labelling Workplace Substances CoP: Safe Use of Pesticdes CoP: Safe Use and Storage of Agricultural Chemicals EPA Waste Guidelines National CoP: Control of Scheduled Carcinogenic Substances National CoP: Safe Use of Synthetic Mineral Fibres Dangerous Goods Act 1975

Objective 3.7

Component(s)

Safe selection, commissioning, use, decommissioning and disposal of plant.

Occupational Health and Safety (Plant) Policy to include: Plant register WorkCover registration requirements Risk assessment: machine guarding Electrical testing Operator competency Noise control Health surveillance Work method statements Training Cradle to Grave: Purchasing, commissioning, maintenance, decommissioning, disposal requirements. Relevant documentation OHS Regs 2001: Part 5.4 OHS Regs 2001, Ch 4. Cl 64 CoP: Electrical practices of construction work. AS/NZS 4024.1: Guarding of machinery – General principles. AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction & demolition sites. AS/NZS 3760: In service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment WorkCover: Plant guidance note

Objective 3.8	Component(s)
Fall protection from working at heights equal or greater than 1.8m.	Occupational Health and Safety (Working at Heights) Policy to include: Ladders Roof work Fall arrest systems Relevant Documentation: OHS Regs 2001, Ch 4, cl 39 OHS Regs 2001, Ch 4, cl 56-61 CoP: Work on Roofs Parts 1&2 WorkCover: Portable ladders guidance note AS/NZS 1576.1: Scaffolding Part 1: General requirements AS 4626: Fall-arrest devices - Selection, use and maintenance

Objective 3.9	Component(s)
Guidance material and internal services provided for managing the ergonomic aspects of computer workstations.	Occupational Health and Safety (Computer Workstation Ergonomics) Policy requirements to include: Furniture safety Ergonomic guidance note Training Relevant Documentation: OHS Regs 2001, Part 4.4 AS3590.2: Screen based workstations WorkCover: Health and safety in the office

Objective 3.10	Component(s)
Prevention of soft tissue injuries as a result of lifting carrying or otherwise manipulating objects.	Occupational Health and Safety (Manual Handling) Policy to include: Repetitive Task: a) Risk assessment b) Task specific training Non-Repetitive Task: a) General principles of manual handling training Relevant Documentation: OHS Regs 2001, Part 4.4 National CoP: Manual handling HB59 – Ergonomics

Objective 3.11	Component(s)
Safe working in hot and cold working environments.	Occupational Health and Safety (Thermal Environment) Policy to include: Hot & cold environments Risk assessment: Work/Rest regimes Environmental monitoring Relevant Documentation OHS Regs 2001, Ch 4, cl 47-48 CoP: Hot and cold environments

Objective 3.12

Component(s)

Selection, provision and use of personal protective equipment and clothing.

Occupational Health and Safety (Personal Protective Equipment) Policy to include: Provision of equipment Storage & maintenance Selection & instruction of use Training Health Surveillance Relevant Documentation: OHS Regs 2001, Ch 2, cl15 AS/NZS1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective devices AS/NZS1269.3: Occupational noise management. Part 3. Hearing protector program AS/NZS2210.1: Occupational protective footwear- Selection, care and use AS/NZS1336: Recommended practices for occupational eye protection AS/NZS1337: Eye protectors for industrial applications AS/NZS1800: Occupational protective helmets – Selection, care, use

Objective 3.13	Component(s)
General safety for fieldwork.	Occupational Health and Safety (Fieldwork) Policy to include: Administrative controls Relevant Documentation N/A

Objective 3.14

Component(s)

Skin/eye protection for outdoor workers from UV light.

Occupational Health and Safety (Sun Protection for Outdoor Work) Policy to include: Protective clothing requirements (inc. sun-screen) Administrative controls Health surveillance Training Relevant Documentation: AS4399: Sun protective clothing – evaluation and classification NOHSC: guidance note for the protection of workers from ultraviolet radiation in sunlight WorkCover: Skin cancer and outdoor workers.

Objective 3.15

Component(s)

Reporting requirements for: · workplace injuries, illnesses to staff, students and visitors: and · dangerous occurrences.

Occupational Health and Safety (Injury/Illness & Dangerous Occurrence Reporting) Policy to include: University reporting requirements WorkCover reporting requirements Relevant Documentation: OHS Regs 2001, Ch 12, cl 341-343 AS 1885.1: Measurement of occupational health and safety performance - Describing and reporting occupational injuries and disease (known as the National Standard for workplace injury and disease recording)

Objective 3.16	Component(s)
Protection against biological hazards.	Occupational Health and Safety (Protection from biological organisms) Policy to include: Managing communicable disease risks Vaccination/immunisation Training Disposal requirements Health surveillance Requirements for specific activities Relevant Documentation OHS Regs 2001, Ch2, cl 9,

Objective 3.17	Component(s)
Administrative safety requirements for construction work.	Occupational Health and Safety (Construction Sites-General Requirements) Policy to include: Principal contractor appointment & requirements OHS induction training Site specific safety induction training Special workplace arrangements: - OHS Management Plans - Work Method Statements Relevant Documentation: OHS Regs 2001, Ch 8, cl 212-264 CoP: OHS Induction training-Construction work

Objective 3.18	Component(s)
Requirements for the responsible consumption of drugs and alcohol.	Occupational Health and Safety (Drugs and alcohol) Policy to include: Administrative requirements Plant operator requirements Relevant Documentation: WorkCover: Drugs, alcohol and the workplace

Objective 3.19	Component(s)
Requirements for staff working from home.	Occupational Health and Safety (Working from home) Policy to include: Administrative requirements First-Aid requirements Relevant Documentation WorkCover: Working from home

Objective 3.20	Component(s)
Requirements for the entry into confined spaces.	Occupational Health and Safety (Confined Spaces) Policy to include: Procedure for entry Atmospheric testing requirements Administrative requirements Emergency procedure Relevant Documentation OHS Regs 2001, Ch 4, cl 66-78 AS2865: Safe working in a confined space

4. PERFORMANCE MONITORING, REVIEWING & PLANNING

$ Overview

To ensure that the OHSMS is meeting the objectives outlined in the OHS Policy and improving overall OHS performance, the OHSMS will be monitored and reviewed. Where improvements have been identified or priorities have changed, the OHSMS will be modified accordingly.

Factors that will influence adjustment to the OHSMS are:

OHS legislation

The NSW OHS legislation will more than likely be amended from time to time, particularly in the early phases of the new 2000 Act and 2001 Regulation. This will affect the existing priorities for implementing of the OHSMS.

Contemporary OHS practices

Methods of managing OHS risks that have improved through research, technology or documentation produced by Government Departments.

Negative Performance Indicators

Injury incidence, workers’ compensation (significant injury) and dangerous occurrence data.

Issues/deficiencies recorded with Schools/Units implementing the OHSMS.

Positive Performance Indicators

Comparison of OHS systems implemented within expected time frames.

School/Unit audit compliance levels with the OHSMS.

& OHS Law

An employer must review a risk assessment, and any measures adopted

to control the risk, whenever:

(a) there is evidence that the risk assessment is no longer valid, or

(b) injury or illness results from exposure to a hazard to which the risk assessment relates, or

(c) a significant change is proposed in the place of work or in

practices or procedures to which the risk assessment relates.

@ Mechanisms for Implementation

Objective 4.1	Component(s)
Implement an injury/illness recording system that enables the production of data to monitor negative OHS performance.	Incident/Injury & Dangerous Occurrence Recording/Statistical Software System to include: Incident location (School/Unit specific) · Nature · Bodily location · Mechanism · Agency · Lost-time Relevant Documentation NOHSC: Type of occurrence classification system.

Objective 4.2	Component(s)
Provide OHS audit tools to enable schools/units to: 1. Conduct safety audits/inspections; and 2. Develop Risk Control Plans.	Workshops Audit/Inspection Checklist Offices Audit/Inspection Checklist Laboratories Audit/Inspection Checklist Activity Audit/Inspection Checklist School/Unit Risk Control Plan Guidance Note and Worksheet(s) Relevant Documentation N/A

Objective 4.3	Component(s)
Maintain records of training attendance, health surveillance and system issues/deficiencies.	Records Management System: · OHSMS issues/deficiencies: · Training attendance: · Health surveillance: Relevant Documentation N/A

Objective 4.4	Component(s)
Review OHSMS.	Monitoring OHSMS implementation Review/improve OHSMS Relevant Documentation (eg. OHS Legislation) Relevant Documentation: N/A

PRIORITIES FOR IMPLEMENTING OHS POLICIES AT UNE

The order in which each OHS Policy should be implemented will be determined by several factors including:

1. Prescriptive OHS Legislative Requirements;

2. Reducing the risk of an incident that is likely to cause serious harm;

3. Reducing the incident mechanisms that significantly occur at the University; and

4. The likelihood of incurring a WorkCover Improvement Notice, fine or prosecution for failing to implement specific systems eg. OHS Consultation or Dangerous Goods requirements.

Some OHS Policies are prerequisites for others. For example, the Safety in Laboratories Policy can only be fully effective if the Hazardous Substances/Dangerous Goods Policy has already been developed because many of the University laboratories require use of chemicals. A suggested order of policy development has been provided in Appendix D.

Appendix A

UNIVERSITY OHS ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE (EXAMPLE ONLY)

Appendix B

	PROCEDURE FOR RESOLVING OHS ISSUES (EXAMPLE ONLY)

Appendix C

PROCEDURE FOR DEVELOPING, IMPLEMENTING, REVIEWING & IMPROVING OHS POLICY (EXAMPLE ONLY)

Appendix D

OHS Working Group

conduct School/Unit Audit

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

No	Objective	Component to be implemented	Primary Responsibility for Development	Expected Date
1	1.1	OHS Policy	OHS	Aug 02
2	2.1	OHS (Consultation Arrangements) Policy	OHS	Sep 02
3	2.2	OHS (Issue Resolution) Policy	OHS	Sep 02
4	2.3	OHS Representative Elections	OHS	Sep 02
5	2.4	WorkCover accredited OHS Consultation Training	OHS	Oct 02
5	4.1 & 4.3	OHS Software	OHS	Nov 02
7	4.3	Records Management	OHS	Dec 02
8	3.15	OHS (Injury/Illness & Dangerous Occurrence Reporting) Policy	OHS	Jan 03
9	3.2	OHS (First-Aid) Policy	OHS	Feb 03
10	1.2	Introduction to OHS Training	OHS	March 03
11	3.1	OHS (Emergency Response) Policy	FMS	April 03
12	3.7	OHS (Plant) Policy	OHS	May 03
13	3.12	OHS (Personal Protective Equipment & Clothing) Policy	OHS	June 03
14	3.6	OHS (Hazardous Substances/Dangerous goods) Policy	OHS /FMS	July 03
15	3.8	OHS (Working at Heights) Policy	OHS	Aug 03
16	3.9	OHS (Computer Workstation Ergonomics Policy	OHS	Sep 03
17	3.10	OHS (Manual Handling) Policy	OHS	Oct 03
18	3.4	OHS (Smoke-free Environment) Policy	OHS	Nov 03
19	3.11	OHS (Thermal Environment) Policy	OHS	Dec 03
20	3.19	OHS (Working from Home) Policy	OHS	Jan 04
21	3.5	OHS (Volunteers) Policy	OHS	Feb 04
22	3.20	OHS (Confined Space Entry) Policy	OHS	Mar 04
23	3.14	OHS (Sun Protection for Outdoor Work) Policy	OHS	April 04
24	3.17	OHS (Construction Work-General Safety) Policy	OHS	May 04
25	3.16	OHS (Protection from Biological Organisms) Policy	OHS	June 04
26	3.13	OHS (Fieldwork) Policy	OHS	July 04
27	3.3	OHS (Safety in Laboratories) Policy	OHS	Aug 04
28	3.18	OHS (Drugs and Alcohol) Policy	OHS	Sep 04
29	4.2	School/Unit OHS Inspection/Audit Package	OHS	Oct 04
30	4.4	OHSMS Review	OHS	Nov 04

REFERENCES

Australian Standards AS/NZS 1269.0 (1998): Occupational noise management – Overview. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards AS/NZS 1336 (1997): Recommended practices for occupational eye protection. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards AS/NZS 1337 (1992): Eye protectors for industrial applications. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards AS/NZS 1576.1(1995): Scaffolding - General requirements. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards AS/NZS 1715 (1994): Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective devices. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards AS/NZS 1800 (1998): Occupational protective helmets - Selection, care and use. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards AS 1885.1 (1990): Measurement of occupational health and safety performance - Describing and reporting occupational injuries and disease (known as the National Standard for workplace injury and disease recording) Australian Standards. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards AS/NZS 1891 [1995-2001-(Set)]: Industrial fall arrest. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards AS/NZS 2161.1 (2000): Occupational protective gloves - Selection, use and maintenance. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards AS/NZS 2210.1(1994): Occupational protective footwear - Guide to selection, care and use. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards AS/NZS 2243.1 (1997): Safety in laboratories – General. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards AS/NZS 2865 (2001): Safe working in a confined space. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards AS/NZS 3012 (1995): Electrical installations - Construction and demolition sites. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards AS3690.2 (1990): Screen BasedWorkstations. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards, AS 3745 (1995): Emergency control organization and procedures for buildings. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards AS/NZS 3760 (2001): In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards AS 4024.1 (1996): Safeguarding of machinery - General principles. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards AS/NZS 4399 (1996): Sun protective clothing - Evaluation and classification. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards AS/NZS 4360 (1999): Risk Management Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards 4801 (2000): Occupational health and safety management systems Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards 4804 (1997): Occupational health and safety management systems-General guidelines on principles, systems and supporting techniques. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards HB 59 (1994): Ergonomics - The human factor - A practical approach to work systems – design. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards, HB 76 (1997): Dangerous goods - Initial emergency response guide. Standards Australia, NSW.

Australian Standards HB 139 (1999): Step by step guidance on integrating management systems – Occupational health and safety. Standards Australia, NSW.

Dangerous Goods Act 1975.www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/dga1975171/

NOHSC, (1990). Code of Practice for Manual Handling. www.ohsc.gov.au/

NOHSC, (1990). Type of Occurrence Classification System. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 No 40. www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/ohasa2000273/

Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001. www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/ohasr2001364/

Smoke-free Environment Act 2000. www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/sea2000247/

Smoke-free Environment Regulation 2001. www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_reg/ser2000338/

WorkCover, (2001). Code of Practice for Hot and Cold Environments. www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/

WorkCover, (1997). Code of Practice for Noise Management and Protection of Hearing at Work. www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/

WorkCover, (2001). Code of Practice for OHS Consultation. www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/

WorkCover, (2001). Code of Practice for Risk Assessment. www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/

WorkCover, (2001). Code of Practice for Technical Guidance. www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/

WorkCover, (1993). Code of Practice for Working on Roofs- Parts 1 and 2. www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/

WorkCover (1995). Drugs, alcohol and the workplace. www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/

WorkCover, (2001). First Aid Guide. www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/

WorkCover, (1993). Health and Safety in the Office. www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/

WorkCover, (2001). Plant Guide. www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/

WorkCover, (1999). Portable Ladders Guidance Note. www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/

WorkCover, (1996). Working from home. www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/