UWA Safety and Health Newsletter – August 2004
University Safety Committee
The USC last met on Tuesday 10th August. Approved minutes from previous meetings are available from the Safety Office website.
‘What’s New’ for August 2004:
• Resolution of Safety and Health Issues procedures and poster
• Safety and Health Auditing
• Davidson Trahaire Corpsych Newsletter - Autumn / Winter 2004
• Significant incident report: Hydrogen Explosion in Microbiological Anaerobic Chamber
Editorial changes
Note that editorial changes have been made to the Resolution of Safety and Health Issues Procedures and Poster and the Incident/Injury (Accident) and Hazard Notification and Investigation Procedures
Safety and Health Audit and Inspection Program
The S&H is about to commence safety audits and inspection of Units within the University. Information on the audit process, including the safety management audit tools, draft School Safety Manual and inspection question sets are now available on the UWA intranet site:
For further information contact David Rodwell on 6488 2035.
Davidson Trahaire Corpsych Newsletter - Autumn / Winter 2004
The UWA external employee assistance provider, Davidson Trahaire, produces a newsletter twice a year. The current edition is available in PDF format on the UWA intranet site (‘what’s new’) and contains useful information on ‘Caring for the Elderly or Disabled’.
Annual Safety Awards 2004
The closing date for nominations for the Annual UWA Safety Awards has been extended until close of business on Friday 3rd September. The purpose of the awards is to recognise best practice approaches and to share these with others within the University. Each award winner receives a certificate, book voucher and recognition throughout the University. More information is available via ‘what’s new’. The awards will be presented on Tuesday 12th October 2004.
Safety Related Training:
Warden training and practice evacuations are being scheduled for early October. Building Wardens will be advised directly of these in due course.
University Staff Induction
The University launched its new on line staff induction web site in July. The site contains useful information for new staff, managers / supervisors (to assist in conducting the induction) and School Managers / Central Admin managers (for their specific needs). All new staff should be properly inducted to ensure they settle in quickly and efficiently and are better equipped to understand the various roles and responsibilities. The UWA Safety Induction Checklist (to be completed in the first week) is also included in this new induction process.
Electrical Testing and Tagging Program Update
A number of areas have now completed the testing, tagging and repairs (as necessary) of portable electrical equipment. A sample of 5,000 items included the following failures: supply lead single insulated at plug (174 items), supply lead damaged (80), not adequately earthed (26), external case damaged (15), live conductors not insulated (14), supply lead single insulated at socket (13), transposed conductors (6) and plug melted (6). Total recorded failures amounted to 363 items. All areas are required to provide an update on their compliance with this testing by the end of the year. The current 50% subsidy for testing ceases at the end of 2004.
Mettler-Toledo Balances
We have been advised that Mettler-Toledo balances (series B5, B6 and M5) series contain a number of 74 kBq radioactive radium-226 sources, which are used as ionisers. The equipment is not labelled as containing the sources, the sources are readily accessible and measurable dose rates have been recorded. Please contact Jonathon Thwaites on 6488 7932, if your area has any of these balances.
WorkSafe WA - news
Guidance Note : Preparing for emergency evacuations at the workplace
Information on UWA evacuation procedures
Information on warden structures in University buildings
Public Comment: Draft code of practice - Occupational safety and health in call centres
Did you know?
University Safety Committee (USC) Minor Works Funding
The USC provides limited minor works funding to assist with safety related improvements. Guidelines on these funds are available through this link.
Information on allocations made in previous years is available in the USC Annual Reports, which can be obtained from: http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/people/committees/safety
Automated External Defibrillators
The University currently has an automated external defibrillator in the Medical Centre. Others are in the process of being commissioned at Parking and Security and in Human Movement. For assistance with Medical Emergencies on campus contact the Emergency number on internal 2222, 6488 2222 or 1800 655 222 (public phone). For a current list of First Aid Officers at the University refer: http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/people/fao
Australian University Safety Association (AUSA)
The AUSA is the network of OHS professionals servicing the tertiary education and research sector of Australasia. Its website provides links to the OHS pages of member organisations and other reputable OHS resources. They also have an electronic mailing list for communication within the network. Membership is free. Refer: http://www.ehs.uts.edu.au/AUSA/
Copies of previous newsletters are available.
The University of Western Australia
UWA Safety and Health
Bus. 08 6488 3938
Fax. 08 6488 1179
Web: www.safety.uwa.edu.au
Email: safety@uwa.edu.au
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