7.1. New. EHS TRAINING

7.1.1. New. Purpose

This procedure is to provide guidelines for the identification of training needs of individual staff and students, including mandatory training.

7.1.2. New. Application

An outline of responsibilities for training all staff and students is provided to ensure competency in particular work areas.

7.1.3. New. Legislation

OHS Act 2004, Section 21

OHS Regulations 2007

Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2000

7.1.4. New. References

Personnel files within Departments

Health Hazard Assessment Questionnaire (PS 15 part B)

Human Resources Induction kit - PPP Manual

Staff Development and Training Courses and Databases

7.1.5. New. Responsibilities

see Section 6.2.2 New. Staff Responsibilities for Environment and Safety.

7.1.6. New. Procedure and Guidelines

7.1.6.1. New. Provision of Training

The General Manager EHS ensures the availability and provision of provide a range of lectures, demonstrations and programs on environment, health and safety issues. Persons who are suitably qualified in the field of environment, health and safety shall this provide information.

Training programs shall be continually modified to include evaluations from previous courses, future departmental requirements and statutory/compliance obligations. If the need for a course is identified and is not currently available, please contact the Environment Health and Safety Unit. It may be possible to organise a specific program to meet local requirement needs.

7.1.6.2. New. Employment of Staff

Staff are employed with expert knowledge in their areas of responsibility and these shall be defined in their position descriptions, duty statements or equivalent. Expert knowledge shall be evaluated by the local area Supervisor, and shall include one or more of the following:

• appropriate educational standards

• prior work experience

• references from prior employers

• membership of professional bodies (if applicable)

• technical expertise (if applicable)

Records of prior experience and qualifications of staff shall be kept in individual hard copy personnel files.

7.1.6.3. New. Mandatory Training

Mandatory training shall include;

• Induction - The University has a formal induction procedure found in the PPP manual. Departments should adopt this process for their specific requirements and keep records on local personnel files. In particular EHS issues shall be included in induction for all positions. Positions, which are likely to have a direct EHS responsibility or contribute to significant EHS risk, shall be provided with additional information. Recognition of prior learning to be assessed by supervisor. Induction is performed on the commencement of starting a new position in the University.

• Compliance briefings for Senior Management Staff.

• Elected health and safety representatives to attend approved five day course at Vic Trades Hall Council, within 12 months of election.

• First Aid Training, every three years and annual update of CPR, for all First Aiders.

• Department Radiation Safety Officer to undertake three day ANSTO training or in house equivalent, upon appointment.

• Building Emergency Controller training, upon appointment.

• Training in Hearing Protection in accordance with OHS Regulations 2007.

• Training in Plant Hazards in accordance with OHS Regulations 2007.

• Training in Manual Handling in accordance with OHS Regulations 2007.

• Training in Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods in accordance with Dangerous Goods (Storage & Handling) Regs 2000.

• Training in Hazardous Substances in accordance with OHS Regulations 2007.

Frequency of training may be dependant on the use of skills by the staff or student and changes in the workplace.

7.1.6.4. New. Identification of Training

The local area supervisor shall identify training and awareness needs in reference to position description requirements at the time of annual performance appraisal. This will include, consideration of any applicable changes in duties, legislation, technology and risk assessments of activities of staff. In addition all staff whose work may create a significant impact upon the environment, shall receive appropriate training.

Refer to guidelines on training requirements for EHS as a general indication of the training to be undertaken by specific roles within the University. EHS Advisers/Managers will assist Faculties with Training Needs Analysis.

Other training may be identified through:

• departmental requests for specific and general training needs

• identification of aspects with significant environmental impact on specific departments and local area hazards

• the need to understand relevant roles and responsibilities in maintaining conformance to the University's Environment and Safety Management Systems

• requirements derived from environmental objectives and targets.

7.1.6.5. New. Induction of Contractors

Property & Campus Services induct principle building and maintenance contractors on an biennial basis, refer to Property & Campus Services - Management of Contractors.

7.1.6.6. New. Testing for Competency

The assessment of competence must be carried out by local area supervisor, which can include:

• previous experience and training

• observation of technique

• questioning of process and understanding

• verification of use of relevant procedures

• meeting minutes.

7.1.6.7. New. Records

Records of training, awareness and competencies shall be kept by the internal training provider and/or on personnel files by the manager/supervisor.

7.1.6.8. Specific Environmental Training

All staff and students have the responsibility of minimising the environmental impact of their activities. To fulfill this responsibility, they need sufficient awareness and training to identify their ongoing and potential environmental impacts and use the knowledge and procedures available to them to minimise these impacts. Training programs will inform all staff and students of:

• the importance of conformance with the University's Environmental Policy and EHS procedures, and their roles and responsibilities in achieving this conformance;

• significant environmental impacts (actual or potential) of their work activities and environmental benefits of improved personal performance;

• their roles and responsibilities in achieving conformance with the environmental policy and procedures and with the requirements of the environmental management system, including emergency preparedness and response requirements;

• the potential consequences of departure from specified operating procedures - both personal and environmental consequences.

7.1.7. New. Document Control

 Table 14: Document control: 7.1.New. EHS Training

Established: 18 August 1993, incorporating Staff Training & Education Policy established 28 November 1988. Reviewed 15 September 2008.  Authorised: Administrative Committee  Next Review: 15 September 2011  © The University of Melbourne - uncontrolled when printed.

Created: January 2000
Last Modified: 13 August 2009
Authorised by: General Manager, Environment Health and Safety Unit.