1.1. New. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EHSMS

1996

In 1996 the University of Melbourne embarked upon an initiative for improving the management of health and safety of its staff, students, and visitors.

This initiative resulted in the development, establishment and implementation of an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) providing a systems-based approach to managing workplace safety. The OHSMS aimed to maintain a place of work, research and learning that is safe and without risks to health for employees, students and visitors. The University's OHSMS included Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policies and procedures, OHS plans and OHS Committees.

As a result of the implementation of the OHSMS there was a measured increase in contributions to maintaining the integrity of the University's OHS policy and procedures.

The OHSMS implemented at the University was designed to meet the requirements of Victorian WorkCover Authority's (VWA) SafetyMAP (Safety Management Achievement Program). The University commenced the process of seeking SafetyMAP certification in 1996 and first achieved certification to SafetyMAP (3rd edition) - initial level in the Property & Buildings Department and the Baillieu Library.

1997 / 1998

A further initiative to reduce the impact to the environment from the University's operations commenced in 1997 following an initial environmental impact study of the University's operations. In December 1997 University Council accepted a recommendation for the University to develop, establish, implement and seek accreditation for an Environmental Management System (EMS) designed to meet the requirements of ISO 14001.

1999 / 2004

In 1999 the EHS Manual was revised to form an integrated management system for both OHSMS and EMS designed to meet the requirements of both SafetyMAP (3rd edition) and ISO 14001. The Risk Management Office was responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the EHS Manual and both the OHSMS and the EMS. The EHS manual was structured to support faculties and departments in the local implementation of both the OHSMS and EMS.

The web based EHS Manual was also published to support both systems. In this context both the OHSMS and EMS formed an integrated component of the University's compliance program.

2005-2006

During 2005 the Risk Management Office was restructured and the responsibility of the coordination and central management of the Environment Health and Safety Management Systems was transferred to the newly established Environment Health and Safety Unit (EHS Unit) within the Property and Buildings Department of the University.

A major review of the EHSMS was undertaken in 2005 and continued into 2006. This review resulted in the commencement of a large-scale revision of the EHSMS to ensure conformance to SafetyMAP(4th edition), AS/NZS 4801 and ISO 14001:2004.

The new policies, procedures, guidelines and forms are being developed to enable the University to maintain certification to SafetyMAP (4th edition) and ISO 14001:2004 and achieve best practice in environment health and safety management.

When implemented at a local level these procedures will assist the University's Managers, Supervisors, Staff and Students to ensure the University is a safe and healthy workplace which reduces its impact on the environment.

2006-2007

In 2006 a new EHS Manual was published on the EHS website and newly developed procedures were progressively published in the new manual and linked to the existing manual. Where new procedures had not yet been developed the procedure in the existing EHS Manual continued to apply.

2008

In 2008 the two interlinked manuals were combined into one unified document. Where new procedures have not yet been redeveloped, the existing procedures from the previous manual have been subject to minor review and transferred into the new EHSM.

Return to EHS Manual Table of Contents.

1.1.1. New. DOCUMENT CONTROL