OHS&W
responsibilities
- Responsibilities of the Vice Chancellor
- Responsibilities of Senior Managers
- Responsibilities of Line Managers
- Responsibilities of Supervisors
- Responsibilities of Staff
- Responsibilities of OHSW & IM Services
- Functions of Health and Safety Representatives
- Functions of the University OHSW&IM Committee
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:
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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 staff Performance Management plans and that OHSW&IM performance is measured against agreed accountabilities.
Responsibilities of Senior Managers
Senior Managers are responsible for:
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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 key performance indicators (KPIs) form part of every Line Manager’s Performance Management plan.
Responsibilities of Line Managers
Line Managers are responsible for:
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ensuring all hazardous work tasks are identified, risk assessed, controlled and documented and regular reviews are conducted in consultation with staff
- ensuring that all supervisors are adequately trained to fulfil their OHSW&IM responsibilities
- ensuring that relevant OHSW&IM learning programs are identified for staff
- ensuring identified OHSW&IM learning programs have been included in individual staff Performance Management plans, and identified programs are completed and documented to ensure staff competence in OHSW&IM related activities
- consulting with staff on any proposed changes to the workplace
- ensuring OHSW local action plans are developed, implemented and progress monitored in accordance with system requirements
- ensuring that adequate resources (human, financial and material) are provided to effectively implement the requirements of the OHSW&IM system
- ensuring local OHSW&IM action plans are developed and are consistent with OHSW&IM system requirements
- approving objectives and targets for local 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 staff are injured at work and, where possible, staff are returned to their pre-injury duties at the earliest opportunity.
Responsibilities of Supervisors
Supervisors are responsible for:
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ensuring safe systems of work
- ensuring a safe work environment including that plant and equipment is provided and maintained in a safe condition
- providing staff with adequate information, instruction, supervision and training relevant to their work tasks
- consulting with staff on matters relating to OHSW&IM
- ensuring an adequate induction is provided for staff, students, contractors and visitors
- reviewing local OHSW local action plans in consultation with staff
- ensuring non-conformances identified through audit, inspections and observations are included in the local 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 workers are injured at work, including the provision of suitable duties for staff returning to work following work related injury or illness
- developing and testing relevant contingency plans.
Responsibilities of Staff
Staff are responsible for:
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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 is responsible for providing an OHSW&IM consultancy and advisory service and will:
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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 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
- providing 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 staff
- 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 summarizing the Committee's effectiveness in meeting the Terms of Reference.
Functions of Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
The function of health and safety representatives are defined in the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986 for health, safety and welfare issues that affect staff in their workgroup. HSRs are not responsible for OHSW&IM implementation but are encouraged to assist the University to improve OHSW&IM performance.
In relation to their workgroup HSR’s may:
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inspect the workplace
- investigate complaints
- seek assistance or involvement from SafeWork SA
- accompany an inspector during an inspection of a relevant workplace
- access information about hazards in the workplace
- consult with staff about any proposed changes to the workplace that might affect the health, safety or welfare of staff in their workgroup.
Functions of the University OHSW&IM Committee
The University OHSW&IM Committee consists of senior management and employee representatives and is the principal forum for consulting on OHSW&IM issues. The key functions of this committee (as defined in the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986) are:
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To provide a forum for communication and consultation on occupational health, safety, welfare and injury management matters affecting the University as a whole
- To assist, wherever possible, in the resolution of issues relating to occupational health, safety or welfare that have not been resolved in the workplace, through local consultative forums and / or following consultation with Divisional OHSW Coordinators. Matters that remain unresolved will be escalated to the Senior Management Group for consultation and resolution. (Refer to the OHSW Consultation Procedure and Resolution of OHSW Issues Flowchart)
- To assist in the formulation, review and dissemination of occupational health, safety, welfare and injury management practices, procedures and policies to employees within the workplace
- To consult on any proposed changes that require a review of current practices, procedures or policies where the occupational health, safety or welfare of employees, students, contractors, visitors and volunteers may be affected
- To keep under review any developments in the field of rehabilitation of injured employees and to assist in early recovery and return to work
- To keep under review employment of employees and assist in the appropriate employment of employees who suffer from any form of disability
- To provide input into the University OHSW Strategic Plan, Injury Management Strategic Plan and other strategic matters.
- To review and discuss University OHSW incidents, injuries and claim statistics, identifying and reporting trends.