L2: 6. STRUCTURE & RESPONSIBILITIES [Implementation]

The Environment Health and Safety Unit (EHS Unit) is responsible for providing advice and service to the University Community for all matters relating to the protection and conservation of the human and physical assets of the University, and for promoting risk management as part of the culture of the University through management systems. This includes environment, health and safety, insurance, worker's compensation and rehabilitation.

6.1.1.1.2. New. Application

The University is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment for the University Community and actively seeks to ensure the prevention of workplace injury and illness. The EHS Unit is an integral part of this commitment.

On October 1 1990, the University of Melbourne became a self insurer for WorkCover. WorkCover aims to prevent injury, compensate for injury and to rehabilitate.

The various functions within the Environment Health and Safety Unit are explained briefly below.

6.1.1.1.3. New. Document Control

Table 12: Document control: 6.1.1.New. General Manager EHS

Established: 18 August 1993. Reviewed 15 September 2008.

Authorised: Administrative Committee

Next Review: 15 September 2011

© The University of Melbourne - uncontrolled when printed.

6.2. New. EHS RESPONSIBILITY

6.2.1. New. Departmental and Faculty Responsibilities for Committees

see Section 8.5 New. EHS Representation and EHS Committees.

6.2.2. New. Staff Responsibility for Environment and Safety

6.2.2.1. New. Purpose

To provide generic statement of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) responsibilities for staff. These statements should be incorporated into existing human resources activities such as position descriptions or duty statements as appropriate.

6.2.2.2. New. Application

All staff responsibilities must be documented in a way that is clearly defined for individuals, such as position descriptions or duty statements. These documents must be kept in accordance with records procedure.

The duties listed below may extend to non-employees such as visitors, contractors, and students.

Any delegations of these duties to other staff members must be within University guidelines.

6.2.2.3. New. Legislation

Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004

6.2.2.4. New. References

University Statute 7.1

AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Systems

6.2.2.5. New. Responsibilities

Environment and Safety is the concern of all employees and certain groups within the University Community have specific responsibilities.

6.2.2.5.1. New. Authority for Staff

The Authority to make delegations affecting the University management and administration is vested in council and to a lesser extent the Vice-Chancellor.

In order to facilitate administration and management, authorities are formally delegated by Council to nominated officers. The formal delegations range from according Heads of Department responsibility for environment and occupational health and safety in their Departments, to authorities in relation to expenditure and personal matters.

The council must appoint staff in such categories and on such terms and conditions are specified by regulation under statute 7.1.

As Senior Executive Officer of the University the Vice Chancellor will ensure effective communication, implementation, management and monitoring of the environment and safety management system.

6.2.2.5.2. New. Deans, Heads of Campus and Heads of departments

ensure adherence to legislation and University policies
integrate risk management into all planning processes and activities using documented risk assessments as the basis for action
identify and provide resources required to develop and maintain EHS systems
review EHS data, evaluate EHS systems and outcomes of EHS audits on a regular basis
ensure all reported incidents are fully investigated and preventative measures fully implemented
ensure effective emergency procedures are in place and practiced regularly
ensure all EHS responsibilities are clearly defined and allocated in position descriptions or duty statements
In association with appropriate personnel and the Environment Health & Safety Unit, to formulate and promulgate specific EHS rules for activities conducted within areas under their control
Responsible for reporting to the Chair of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee any member of staff, student, contractor working in their area who by refusal or neglect, fails to observe safety rules.

6.2.2.5.3. Managers and Section Heads

maintain compliance with all environment, health and safety policies and procedures by regular performance review
conduct regular inspections to identify risks/aspects, implement corrective action and arrange monitoring where required
ensure that all staff, including contractors under local control, are appropriately inducted
provide relevant EHS information and ensure appropriate training;
identify health monitoring needs, in consultation with the Occupational Physician
maintain appropriate records as required by the University's Records Services department
ensure consultative structures and staff participation by conducing regular section meetings to discuss EHS issues
investigate all reported incidents and report to department head all action taken to prevent a similar occurrence.

In addition, academic staff are responsible for ensuring that an equivalent standard of environment, health and safety is afforded to their students as is afforded to University staff generally. Academic staff are deemed to have principal supervisory duty for undergraduate and postgraduate student activities under their management control.

6.2.2.5.4. New. Supervisors (any person who controls or directs others)

develop new work procedures as required, in conjunction with relevant persons
provide all staff with relevant EHS information in an appropriate manner
provide personal protective equipment and clothing if hazards cannot fully eliminated
provide adequate supervision through technical guidance and support
identify and control hazardous conditions
provide appropriate facilities for safe storage, handling and transport of hazardous substances
ensure that all accidents and injuries are reported.

6.2.2.5.5. New. Staff

all employees (including those employees referred to above) are to comply with the EHS Manual
adopt work practices that support EHS programs
take reasonable care for the safety of his/her own health and safety and that of other people who may be affected by their conduct in the workplace
seek guidance for all new or modified work procedures
ensure that any hazardous conditions, near misses and injuries are reported immediately to the supervisor
must not willfully place at risk the health or safety of any person in the workplace
participate in meetings, training and other environment, health and safety activities
must not wilfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interest of environment health and safety or welfare
wear personal protective equipment as provided
use equipment in compliance with relevant guidelines, without willful interference or misuse
must cooperate with the University relation to actions taken by the University to comply with Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental legislation.

6.2.2.5.6. New. Contractor Responsibilities

All Contractors are required to undergo appropriate induction training, adhere to all contractual requirements of the University in relation to Environment Health and Safety in addition to the Environment Health and Safety requirements of the University in accordance with University Policy and Procedures and/or agreed work method statements.

6.2.2.5.7. New. Departmental / Faculty EHS Coordinators

Appointed by Head of Department where required. Safety officers are usually the first point of contact locally in a department on matters of health and safety and are able to provide appropriate information and advice. The EHS coordinator will liaise with other departments and with the Environment Health and Safety Unit to effect remedial action where a hazard of unsafe working practice has been notified, although the responsibility for health and safety within the department rests with the Head of Department.

EHS Coordinators must attend an approved training course or hold other relevant qualification.

Responsibilities as delegated in writing by the Head of Department, for example;

undertake regular inspections of the workplace to ensure adequate housekeeping and implement corrective action as required
provide safety advice and information to staff and students
arrange safety training where appropriate
ensure appropriate notification of accidents and hazards
control access to restricted areas
assess competency of equipment users
ensure equipment is maintained.

6.2.2.5.8. New. Elected Health and Safety Representatives (HSR)

The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act requires the involvement of employees in decisions concerning their health and safety. This is central to the strategy for prevention of workplace injury and illness. Employee involvement is achieved through the election of Health and Safety Representatives (HSR) and the establishment of OHS committees.

For additional information, refer to Section 8.5 New. EHS Representation and EHS Committees.

6.2.2.5.9. New. Staff Environment Advocates

see Section 8.5.New. EHS Representation and EHS Committees.

6.2.2.5.10. New. Radiation Safety Officers

report directly to the Head of Department on all radiation issues
advise and report to the Department EHS Committee on all matters pertaining to radiation safety
assumes control in any emergency involving radiation hazards and notifies the University's Radiation Protection Officer
has the authority to shut down any process or laboratory that he or she considers to be in violation of University policy until the issue is resolved.
Has the authority to enter all areas of the Department, including research areas, to conduct tests required for monitoring safe handling and disposal of radiation sources.

DRSO's must attend approved radiation safety training course.

6.2.2.5.11. New. First Aid Officers

Appointed by Head of Department where required.
To apply the accepted principles of basic life support with an injury or when sudden illness occurs, using the facilities or materials available at the time and within the scope of the training provided. (Responsibility ends when the casualty is handed over to the care of an ambulance officer, nurse or doctor, other appropriate person.)

First aiders must hold current workplace level 1 or 2 first aid certificate and attend annual CPR update.

6.2.2.5.12. New. Building Emergency Controller

see Section 12.1. New. Emergency Preparedness and Response.

6.2.2.5.13. New. Deputy Building Emergency Controller

see Section 12.1. New. Emergency Preparedness and Response.

6.2.2.5.14. New. Floor Wardens

see Section 12.1. New. Emergency Preparedness and Response.

6.2.3. New. Student Responsibility for Environment and Safety

6.2.3.1. New. Purpose

To define student responsibilities for environment and safety.

6.2.3.2. New. Application

All students are to comply with the Environment Health and Safety Manual.

6.2.3.3. New. Legislation

Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004

Environment Protection Act 1970

6.2.3.4. New. References

University Occupational Health and Safety Policy

University Environmental Policy

Children on campus policy

6.2.3.5. New. Responsibilities

6.2.3.5.1. New. Students

Students are responsible for adopting safe work and study practices, and are required to comply with all University and Departmental rules and procedures which relate to environment, health and Safety;

must report all hazard and injuries to their supervisor or sports centre;
must not wilfully place at risk the health or safety of any other person at the University;
must not wilfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of environment, health and safety or welfare at the University;

The use of certain facilities may require that students provide some items of personal protective equipment -see Section 11.24 .New. Personal Protective Equipment.

6.2.3.5.2. New. Student Union

Students should be made aware that the Melbourne University Student Union has developed an Occupational Health and Safety Policy and Environmental Policy.

6.2.3.5.3. New. Academic Supervisors

Department should identify equipment and location personal protection will be required by students. Students should be informed of this through the enrolment procedures.

Academic staff are responsible for ensuring that an equivalent standard of health and safety is afforded to their student as is afforded to University staff generally. Academic staff have a responsibility to ensure students are aware of the University's Environmental Management System and conduct themselves in a manner which supports the system when under their supervision (e.g. supervision in laboratories).