|
Safety and Health Newsletter – April
2008
Safety and Health Representatives
The annual call for nominations for Safety and Health
Representatives in work areas whose SHR's two year term expires
or who do not currently have a SHR was recently made with
nominations closing on 21st March 2008. The 11 nominations
received (7 for the first time, 4 renominating) were from:
Jeromy Harvey (Indigenous Studies), Nell Ustundag (Berndt Museum
of Anthropology), Stuart Mather (Electrical Engineering), Brendan
Busch (Centre for Water Research), Bart Thompson (Civil and
Resource Engineering), Greg Cozens (Anatomy and Human Biology),
Eric Howard (Audio Visual), Merredith Fenelon (CTEC), Emma Barber
(Medicine and Pharmacology QE11), Julie Proudfoot (Medicine,
Dentistry & Health), Borut Klopcic (Medicine, Dentistry &
Health, Fremantle).
SHR Refresher – Monday 30th June 2008
(to be confirmed)
A one day Safety and Health Representatives Refresher Training
course is provisionally planned for Monday 30th June 2008.
This is available to Safety and Health Representatives, Safety
Officers, Managers and Supervisors. The course will review
and provide updates on the OS&H Legislation; safety risk
management; consultation and cooperation; and the issue of
Provisional Improvement Notices (PINS). More information
will be provided in future newsletters.
University Safety Committee Annual Report
2007
The University Safety Committee Annual Report 2007 is now
available at: http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/people/committees/safety
The report provides information on:
• Incidents and injuries – types, trends, costs,
current and proposed reduction strategies
• Employee assistance program – external and
internal providers, usage
• New and revised policies, procedures and guidelines
– for implementation (as appropriate)
• Safety and health related awareness raising and
training provided
• University Safety Committee related business –
items referred and actions taken
• Safety Awards – acknowledging contributions
made to OSH and appreciation for contributions towards making the
University a safer place, or in providing assistance to other
staff in need
Subsidy for Vision Testing, Prescription Lenses &
Protective Eyewear Policy
The Subsidy for Vision Testing,
Prescription Lenses & Protective Eyewear Policy was approved
by the University Safety Committee on 12th February 2008 and
replaces the previous UWA Vision Testing and Prescription
Policy. This details the financial assistance available for
vision testing and prescriptive eyewear to eligible UWA employees
- when testing is required due to discomfort experienced or
caused by work, and when prescriptive eyewear is needed for UWA
work related activities and not for private non work-related
activities. Refer: http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/policies/glasses
WorkSafe WA
WorkSafe WA has published the
April 2008 edition of its newsletter Safetyline. It
contains:
• Findings from the 2007 survey about understandings of
OSH and the role of WorkSafe
• Safety initiatives in the WA Public Sector
• Come home safe campaign
• OSH Reps make a difference
• WorkSafe educational resources
• MSDS to comply with 2003 National Code
• New (updated) risk management checklists
• Falls prevention in construction
http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/WorkSafe/PDF/SafetyLine/SafetyLine_April_08_.pdf
WorkSafe WA has also released a guidance note for alcohol and
other drugs at the workplace, outlining an employer's general
duties and relevant legislation.
http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/WorkSafe/PDF/Guidance_notes/Alcohol%20and%20drugs.pdf
The draft UWA Alcohol & Other Drug Policy is available for
viewing at: http://www.tap.uwa.edu.au/uwa_alcohol_and_other_drug_policy
WorkSafe Victoria
WorkSafe Victoria has launched a range of information identifying
injury hotspots for high-risk operations, such as construction,
manufacturing, automotive, health and aged care, and
agriculture. There is also a section on the education
sector. Refer:
http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/WorkSafe/Home/Safety+and+Prevention/Injury+Hotspots/
OSA Group Newsletters
OSA Group is the UWA
external Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider. In the
Summer 2008 edition of their newsletter they explore aspects of
personal change and provide some key questions to help you make
sense of any issues around change.
http://www.osagroup.com.au/newsletters/attachment/2008-1quarter.pdf
The WA OSA Group office has produced a one page newsletter on the
topic ‘Unravelling the Complexities of Managing People
– A Tough Assignment for Most Managers’. Please
contact Safety and Health if you would like a copy of this
(it’s a PDF file).
Safety and Health
Safety and Health welcomes
the following new staff:
Ms Wendy Back (Administrative Assistant Insurance, 6488 7487)
who commenced on 2nd April and is assisting Grant Wallace
(Insurance and Risk Management Officer) whilst Liza Tunnel is on
maternity leave (due back on 1st October 2008).
Ms Kristen Wade (Injury Management Consultant, 6488 4683), who
commenced on 7th April. Kristen reports to Averil Riley
(Senior Occupational Therapist) and provides assistance with the
UWA injury prevention, injury management and workers’
compensation programs. Kristen is a registered Occupational
Therapist.
Ms Helen McManus (Administrative Assistant, 6488 3938) who
commenced on 22nd April and is providing general administrative
assistance whilst Rebecca Joel is on long service leave (due back
on 21st July 2008).
On 16th May 2008 we bid farewell to Amanda Edmonston-Fearn
(Workers’ Compensation Officer) who has worked in Safety
and Health since January 2006. We wish her all the best in
her future career and thank her for hard work and dedication
whilst at UWA. The vacant Workers’ Compensation
Officer position is expected to be advertised in The West
Australian on Saturday 3rd May and available from http://www.hr.uwa.edu.au/hr/jobs
from Monday 5th May.
University Safety Committee
The University
Safety Committee last met on 8th April. The next meeting is
on Tuesday 10th June 2008. Approved minutes from
previous meetings are available from the Safety and Health
website.
Previous Safety & Health Newsletters
For those who have missed out on our earlier editions, copies of
previous newsletters can be obtained from the ‘following
web site: http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/newsletter.
All are encouraged to share relevant safety information in each
edition to the rest in your respective workplaces.
The University of Western Australia
Safety and Health
Bus. 08 6488 3938
Fax. 08 6488 1179
Web: www.safety.uwa.edu.au
Email: safety@uwa.edu.au
F1139
| 
