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About the OHS Unit

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

Date approved

21 July 1999

Date Policy will take effect

21 July 1999

Date of Next Review

May 2012

Approved by

Administrative Committee

Custodian title & e-mail address

Manager, OHS
ohs_all@uow.edu.au

Author

Manager, OHS

Responsible Faculty/

Division & Unit

OHS Unit, Human Resources Division

Supporting documents, procedures & forms of this policy

Roles and Responsibilities for OHS
OHS Management System

References & Legislation

Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 (NSW)
Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 (NSW)

Audience

Public – accessible to anyone

Expiry Date of Policy

Not applicable

Contents

1 Purpose of Policy

  • 1. The University of Wollongong acknowledges that effective OHS is an integral part of achieving its vision of excellence in leadership; innovation; student learning and community engagement. The University and its senior management are therefore committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of its employees, students, contractors and visitors. All members of the University community have a collective and individual responsibility with regard to the prevention of workplace injuries and working safely.

2 Definitions

Not Available.

3 Application & Scope

Not Available.

4 Policy Principles

  • 1. Our commitment to eliminating work related illness and injury will be attained through:
        • a. implementing uniform risk management processes to adequately control risks in the workplace;
        • b. compliance with all applicable relevant legislation, codes of practice and standards;
        • c. ensuring equipment and substances are safe and without risk to health when properly used;
        • d. providing, monitoring and maintaining safe systems of work for the use, handling, storage and transportation of equipment and substances;
        • e. providing adequate facilities for the health, safety and welfare of all employees, students, contractors, labour hire employees and visitors;
        • f. identifying and providing appropriate OHS training and dissemination of relevant OHS information to all employees, students, contractors, labour hire employees and visitors;
        • g. provision of appropriate supervision for all employees, students, contractors, labour hire employees and visitors;
        • h. consultation with all University employees, students, and contractors to enhance the effectiveness of the OHS Management System;
        • i. providing adequate resources, including finances, to facilitate the fulfilment of the University’s OHS responsibilities;
        • j. ensuring continual improvement toward progressing overall performance by monitoring OHS outcomes against performance indicators on an annual basis and integrating OHS into the University’s overall strategic development; and
        • k. communicating this policy through public display and training throughout the University.

5 Review

  • 1. This policy will be regularly reviewed following legislative or organisational changes, or as a minimum, every three years.

6 Roles & Responsibilities

  • 1. The Vice Chancellor has ultimate responsibility for, and is committed to, the effective implementation of the University OHS policy, and delegation of OHS management responsibilities. The Senior Executive will support Deans, Department Heads, Managers and Supervisors to fulfil their OHS responsibilities and accountabilities within their area of responsibility. Descriptions of OHS responsibilities are defined in the UOW document “Roles and Responsibilities for OHS
  • 2. The OHS Unit is available to provide advice regarding specific OHS matters and assist with the development, implementation and monitoring of the OHS system.

7 Version Control and Change History

Version Control

Date Effective

Approved By

Amendment

1

21 July 1999

Administrative Committee

First Version

2

4 June 2003

Vice Chancellor

Minor changes to adjust policy to bring it in line with legislative changes.

3

11 October 2005

Vice Chancellor

Minor policy changes following review by OHS Committee

4

27 May 2008

Administrative Committee

Formatting and minor changes.

5

6 May 2009

Vice Principal (Administration)

Migrated to UOW Policy Template as per Policy Directory Refresh

6

20 August 2010

Vice-Principal (Administration)

Review date changed from May 2011 to May 2012

7

26 August 2010

Vice-Principal (Administration)

Updated to reflect divisional name change from Personnel Services to Human Resources Division

Last reviewed: 13 September, 2010

Work Health and Safety Legislation 2012

Need to know about the changes to NSW Work Health and Safety Laws.

The UOW session Work Health and Safety Awareness 2012 will provide you information on the What's New.

 

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After notifying your supervisor, you can record the incident in our online SafetyNet system.

Tips on completing the form >>> Hazard and Incident Reporting

Need more information? Contact us on x3603.

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