Health, safety and environment

University OH&S policy

The University has an Occupational Health and Safety Policy, which outlines both the University's commitment to health and safety and the responsibility of the employee and visitor on University campuses. The policy also clarifies the role and responsibilities of the University's Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) branch.

The policy outlines the lines of responsibility and procedures to be followed to ensure a healthy and safe workplace for all employees, students and visitors. Staff must be fully conversant with this policy.

Roles and responsibilities, employer and employee

The University is obligated to comply with all provisions of Northern Territory OH&S legislation, including the Work Health Act, sections 29 and 31, as follows:

Charles Darwin University (employer)

The University shall:

Employees

Employees have an obligation to maintain healthy and safe work practices by:

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OH&S policies and procedures (OH&S manual)

The University has documented occupational health and safety policies and procedures. Compliance with these policies and procedures is mandatory and provides the guideline for all cost-centres for ensuring compliance with NT OH&S legislation.

The policies and procedures are generated through HSE with approval from the University Health and Safety Committee (UHSC).

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OH&S committees

The University has provision for a three-tiered structure for consultation and resolution of health and safety issues. The relevant committees are:

All committees have representation of employee/union and management as required by the University's OH&S Policy and the Health and Safety agreement with the unions.

Reporting accidents and incidents

Accidents and incidents must be reported within 24 hours to HSE. Accident/incident forms are available at all cost centre administrative areas and HSE. In the first instance accidents and incidents are to be reported to the immediate supervisor.

Workplace inspection

Cost-centre managers should ensure regular inspection of all workplaces under their control. HSE, with representation from the cost-centre, will inspect workplaces regularly and provide a documented annual audit. Staff are to take appropriate remedial action and/or report hazards immediately to supervisors.

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Workers compensation and rehabilitation

All employees of the University suffering from injury/illness at the workplace, are covered under the Work Health Act which is aimed at:

Employees are entitled to claim workers compensation if they are injured or contract a disease:

All workers compensation and rehabilitation issues are the responsibility of HSE with the assistance of the respective management staff.

Workers compensation forms are available from HSE.

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Emergency procedures

View the Emergency Procedures Policy (.pdf).

The procedures cover:

All staff must be aware of the specific procedures pertaining to their workplace. Specifically for fire and evacuation staff must know the location of:

An emergency evacuation plan is required to be placed in a prominent easily visible position. Emergency wardens must be nominated for each floor of a building and their identification must be readily visible to all staff, students and visitors.

The priority in any emergency must be the protection of life and prevention of injury to staff, students and visitors.

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First aid

The University's First Aid Process outlines the procedures for all cost-centres, specifically:

On campus first aid procedures

Normal working hours (8.00am to 4.21pm Monday to Friday):

  1. Call received by first aid officer.
  2. First aid officer attends and assesses the situation - decides if it is life threatening or non-life threatening.

Life-threatening

  1. Call ambulance - dial 0 (on university telephones), then 000 (emergency services) and ask for an ambulance, stating known details of injuries and precise location of injured.
  2. Inform HSE on 08 8846 6592.

Non life-threatening

Treat if within competence and if necessary remove to nearest first aid room for recovery. Otherwise:

  1. Call Finance and Asset Services on 08 8946 6500 for emergency vehicle and take the injured to the nearest medical assistance area.
  2. Contact HSE on 08 8946 6592.

After hours

Life-threatening

  1. If life-threatening, contact first aid officer, if available.
  2. If not available or unknown, dial 0 (university telephones), then 000 (emergency services) for ambulance.
  3. Inform HSE on 08 8946 6592.

Non life-threatening

  1. If within training and competence, treat within competence.
  2. If not within competence, call Finance and Asset Services on 08 8946 6500 and ask for an emergency vehicle for transport to the nearest medical assistance area.
  3. Inform HSE on 08 8946 6592 as soon as possible.

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Employee assistance scheme

The Manager, HSE, coordinates the employee assistance scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to provide free short term confidential counselling for staff through the Employee Assistance Service (EAS). Counselling is available for:

Access for counselling services is available through the Manager, HSE, on 08 8946 6592, the Equal Opportunity Officer on 08 8946 6422, or direct to the Employee Assistance Service on 08 8941 1752. A brochure is available from HSE and cost-centres.

OH&S training programs

Occupational Health and Safety training pertaining to the hazards of the workplace is a requirement of Work Health (OH&S) Regulation 43. Training is provided through HSE. HSE provides a training schedule for each semester. However, if the training offered does not cover the specific hazards of the cost-centre, a tailored program may be negotiated through the Manager, HSE.

Training offered includes:

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Contact numbers for health, safety and environment issues

Acting Manager, HSE, on:

Phone: 08 8946 6592

Fax: 08 8946 7211; or

Acting Senior Consultant, HSE on:

Phone:  08 8946 7294
Fax: 08 8946 7211

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