2017 WHS Annual Plan - Schools and Directorates - Objectives in Full

These objectives are based on the requirements in AS/NZS 4801:2002, they are not the comprehensive objectives of the Standard, but rather those that have been prioritised for 2017.

4.4.1.1 Structure and Responsibilities – Resources (This entire section to be carried forward to 2018, no actions required by Schools and Directorates in 2017).

  • Financial and physical resources have been identified and allocated for WHS activities identified in the WHS Safety Management Plan.
  • There are sufficient qualified and competent persons to implement the Safety Management Plan.

4.4.1.2 Structure and Responsibility – Responsibility and Accountability

  • The specific health and safety responsibilities (including legislative obligations), authority to act and reporting relationships are clearly defined, documented and communicated.
  • Workers are held accountable to health and safety performance in accordance with their defined responsibilities.

4.4.2 Training and Competency

  • There is an induction program for the organisation and workplace/s which is based on the likely risk exposure, and provides relevant instruction in WHS procedures.
  • Workers are trained to perform their work safely and their understanding of the training verified.

4.4.3.1 Consultation, Communication and Reporting – Consultation

  • Each School/Directorate has adequate representation of its workers through a Health and Safety Representative.
  • HSRs meet regularly with management about health and safety issues and the minutes of their meetings are available to all workers.
    • Any proposed changes to the work environment, processes, practices or purchasing decisions that impact on the health and safety of the workers are communicated to the workers.
    • Workers or their HSRs are involved in the development, implementation and review of procedures for the identification of hazards and the assessment and control of risks.

4.4.3.2 Consultation Communication and Reporting – Communication

  • There are procedures for the exchange of relevant health and safety information.

4.4.3.3 Consultation, Communication and Reporting – Reporting

  • Workplace injuries and illnesses, incidents and health and safety hazards, dangerous occurrences and system failures, are reported.
  • Reports on health and safety inspections, testing and monitoring, including recommendations for corrective action, are produced and forwarded to senior management and worker representatives as appropriate.
  • Regular, timely reports on health and safety performance are produced and distributed.
  • Reports of audits and reviews of the health and safety management system are produced and distributed.

4.4.4 Documentation

  • UNE’s health and safety policy, plans and procedures are documented in a planned and organised manner.
  • Specific instructions and safe work procedures associated with particular products, processes, projects or sites have been developed where appropriate.

4.4.5 Document and Data Control

  • UNE has a system for creating, modifying and approving health and safety documents and data, and notifying relevant persons of any changes. Obsolete documents and data are identified and retained (where required) for legal and/or knowledge preservation purposes and are removed from all points to prevent unintended use.
  • Documents and data critical to health and safety shall be clearly identifiable, duly authorised prior to issue, kept legible and include their issue status.
  • UNE provides workers with ready access to relevant health and safety documents and data and advises them of its availability.
  • Documents and data are regularly reviewed by competent persons to ensure their effectiveness, suitability and the currency of the information.

4.4.6(a) Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control of Risks – Equipment and Plant

  • Plant and equipment that may impact on the health and safety of workers is identified and maintained to a safe standard.
  • Equipment that is identified as being non-safe, is to be withdrawn from use, clearly signed as not-to-be-used and made inactive.
  • Hazard identification, risk assessment and the development of control measures are undertaken during the design stage of plant, products, buildings or processes, or when the design is modified.
  • Competent persons verify that designs and modifications meet specified health and safety requirements.
  • There is a procedure for unsafe plant and equipment to be identified and quarantined or withdrawn from service.
  • Controls are implemented to ensure the safety of persons (including members of the public) while plant and equipment is in the process of being cleaned, serviced, repaired or altered.
  • Competent persons verify that plant and equipment is safe before being returned to service after repair or alteration.
  • Plant and equipment is maintained to ensure safe operational use and a record is kept which includes (but is not limited to) relevant details of inspections, maintenance, repair and alteration of plant.

4.4.6(b) Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control of Risks – Hazardous Chemicals

Hazardous Chemicals:

  • Are used, stored, handled and transported in a safe manner
  • Disposed of appropriately
  • Clearly labelled and identified
  • Have Safety Data Sheets available
  • Have appropriate ‘permits’ to work
  • Have a comprehensive inventory

4.4.6(c) Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control of Risks – Facilities with Hazards

  • UNE determines those areas where access controls are required and ensures effective controls are implemented and maintained.
  • Facilities and amenities in the workplace conform, as a minimum, to relevant legislation, standards and codes of practice.
  • Safety signs, including regulatory, hazard, emergency information and fire signs, meet relevant standards and codes of practice, and are displayed in accordance with legal and UNE requirements.

4.4.6(d) Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control of Risks – Supervision

  • Workers are supervised according to their capabilities and the degree of risk of the task they are undertaking, to ensure that tasks are performed safely and work instructions and procedures are followed.

4.4.6(e) Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control of Risks – Contractors (This entire section to be carried forward to 2018, no actions required by Schools and Directorates in 2017)

  • The ability to meet health and safety requirements is assessed in the selection of contractors and labour hire employees.
  • Contractor health and safety performance is monitored and reviewed to ensure continued adherence to UNE’s health and safety requirements or specifications.
  • UNE has a program to effectively manage the safety of its workers when working at workplaces not under the control of UNE.
  • Customer-supplied goods and services used in UNE’s work processes are subject to hazard identification, risk assessment and control prior to use.

4.4.6(f) Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control of Risks – Purchasing (This entire section to be carried forward to 2018, no actions required by Schools and Directorates in 2017)

  • Health and safety requirements are identified, evaluated and incorporated into all purchasing specifications for services.
  • UNE determines its health and safety requirements prior to the purchase of goods, and communicates those specifications to the supplier.
  • Procedures shall be established and implemented for verifying that purchased goods meet health and safety requirements and any discrepancies identified are addressed before the goods are put into operational use.

4.4.7 Emergency Preparedness and Response

  • Potential emergency situations have been identified and an emergency plan is:
    • Developed for UNE and its workplaces
    • In accordance with legislative requirements
    • Regularly reviewed
  • UNE has allocated overall responsibility for control of emergency situations to specified individuals and communicated this information to all workers.
  • Workers receive training and practice in the emergency plan appropriate to their allocated emergency response responsibilities.
  • Competent persons have periodically assessed the suitability, location and accessibility of emergency equipment, including where changes to layout, equipment or process have occurred.
  • Emergency and fire protection equipment, exit signs and alarm systems are inspected, tested and maintained at regular intervals.
  • UNE has a system in place to ensure emergency authorities are informed of relevant hazards on-site (including hazardous chemicals) when attending an emergency.
  • UNE has assessed its first aid requirements and the first aid program is in place.
  • UNE has a procedure(s) to assist workers who are exposed to critical incidents at work.

4.5.1.2 Monitoring and Measurement – Health Surveillance

  • UNE has identified those situations where workers’ health surveillance should occur and has procedures to conduct this surveillance. The health of workers exposed to specific hazards is monitored, recorded, reported and action is taken to address any adverse effects.

4.5.2 Incident Investigation and Corrective Action

  • There are procedures (incorporating appropriate methodologies) for investigating and implementing corrective action following injuries, illnesses, incidents and other system failures impacting on health and safety.

Investigations shall:

  • Be undertaken by a competent person(s) in accordance with UNE’s procedure
  • Identify the factor(s) that led to the injury, illness, incident or other system failure
  • Review the identified hazards, assessed risks and effectiveness of the control measures
  • Recommend appropriate control measures and corrective actions

Corrective actions are:

  • Determined in consultation with affected workers
  • Implemented in a timely manner
  • Assessed for their effectiveness by assigned personnel

4.5.3 Records and Record Management

UNE has a program for management of health and safety records including:

  • Identification and traceability
  • Collection, indexing and filing
  • Access and confidentiality
  • Retention and maintenance
  • Protection against damage, deterioration or loss
  • Retrieval
  • Disposal

4.5.4 Health and Safety Management System Audits (and Inspections)

There is a health and safety management system audit program to verify the effectiveness of UNE’s health and safety management system. The audit program takes into consideration health and safety risks and the results of previous audits.

UNE ensures that scheduled audits are performed to verify that:

  • Workplace activities comply with health and safety procedures
  • Procedures are properly implemented and maintained
  • Procedures are effectively implemented across UNE

Deficiencies highlighted by the audits are prioritised and progress monitored to ensure corrective action is implemented.