The University of Western Australia - Safety Awards 2006

1. The Awards

The University Safety Awards acknowledge the contributions made to occupational safety and health at the University by Faculties, Schools, Sections and also individuals. It also facilitates the sharing of these approaches and achievements between different work areas

History

This is the eight year the awards have been presented on behalf of the University Safety Committee. The 2006 awards are for activities and achievements made since 2005.

Sponsorship

The University greatly appreciates the kind sponsorship provided for the University Safety Awards by the University Co-operative Bookshop.

Requirements

Written submissions were required by 22 September 2006. In considering the nominations the different circumstances of the nominated areas and the extent and significance of the systems approach and safety achievements made were taken into account.

Selection Panel

The selection panel for the awards consisted of:

• Dr Allan McKinley, Chair, University Safety Committee
• Mr Bob Farrelly, Director, Human Resources
• Mr Mike Rafferty, Manager, Safety and Health
• Mr Gerald Stack, Manager, Maintenance, Facilities Management
• Mr Brendan Dragon, Safety and Health Advisor, Safety and Health

Presentation

A presentation function for the awards was held in the Prescott Room, Vice-Chancellery on Monday 23 October 2006. The master of ceremonies was Dr Allan McKinley and the awards were presented by Professor Margaret Seares, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

Winners received gift vouchers sponsored by the University Cooperative Bookshop. An article on the awards appeared in UWA News of 6th November 2006.

Past Safety Awards

2. Group Safety Award

The Group Safety Award acknowledges best practice approaches and achievements in occupational safety and health management by Faculties, Schools or Sections. Submissions were restricted to 3,000 words (5 page) submissions (attachments permitted) based on criteria used by the WorkSafe Plan from WorkSafe WA. The five elements and standards used are:

• Management Commitment – where there is commitment to achieving high standards of occupational safety and health performance through effective safety management
• Planning – where planning is used to establish and maintain a safety management system that is set up to continuously improve occupational safety and health
• Consultation – where there is a mechanism for consulting with employees has been developed and is working effectively
• Hazard Management – where there is an effective system to identify hazards and assess and control risks
• Training – where training is organised to reduce the risk of work-related injury and disease and is evaluated to ensure its effectiveness

The two finalists for the 2006 Group Award were the School of Plant Biology and the University Library.

School of Plant Biology

Background on the School of Plant Biology included:

• Highly research-intensive School with $5.72 million worth of research grants in 2005 and anticipated over $6.0 million research income in 2006
• Employs 24 teaching and research academics, more than 45 research academic and general staff and 10 general staff
• Has enrolled over 95 postgraduate students involved in intensive research and field work
• Based on the complexity matrix, in 2005 the School was classified as one of the most complex and largest Schools at the University
• Crop Science, Conservation Biology and Marine Science are the three key areas of research in the School
• The School has chemical and sophisticated equipment intensive science labs; Physical-Containment ( PC2) plant growth facilities; Glasshouses and temperature-controlled plant growth facilities; regular teaching and research field trips to rural and remote areas; and SCUBA diving

Noteworthy aspects of the School of Plant Biology submission included:

• Safety is one of the key pillars and a fundamental requirement for the successful operation of the School
• The School was audited in 2005 and scored 94%, “Based on the audit on the Safety & Health Management System, the School was found to be strong in most areas, especially Policy and Management Review”
• Has an active Safety Committee, specialist safety roles (biological, chemical, radiation, fieldwork, diving) comprehensive safety manual (updated annually), dedicated safety web site, individual safety inductions, regular School wide safety inductions and annual safety audits of laboratories
• Safety management plan with key performance indicators, specific safety inductions of all staff and students are undertaken and ‘School leaving’ procedures which requires disposal of unwanted chemicals
• School Manager is the University Management Group (UMG) representative on the University Safety Committee
• School safety personnel are involved in providing UWA Four Wheel Drive (4WD) training and also in the development of relevant University wide policies (e.g. Field Work in Rural and Remote Locations)
• Purchasing policy which requires information prior to purchase, with linkages to relevant chemical materials safety data sheets
• Extensive reporting and investigations of incidents and injuries

University Library

Background on the Library included:

• Employs 155 full and part time staff and around 60 casuals across 12 sections and 9 separate sites
• Open for seven days and 82 hours each week
• In 2005 there were nearly 1.5 million entrances to the Library and nearly 420,000 items borrowed

Noteworthy aspects of the Library submission included:

• Provision of job related physical abilities and personal attributes for all potential job applications to ensure they understand and can manage the inherent job requirements
• A through safety induction (web based) program for all new staff
• Supervisors are required to be satisfied that the new staff member has understood the material covered in the induction program
• In 2006 all staff with management or supervisory responsibilities, including the University Librarian (31 persons), attended the half day UWA OSH for managers and supervisors training provided by Safety and Health
• Inclusion of a question on ‘Encourages and promotes a safe working environment’ in the 360° feedback Quality Leadership Profile exercise undertaken by all Library managers in September 2006
• Managers who rate poorly on this dimension will be required to identify and implement improvement strategies
• Active Safety and Health Committee which meets monthly and includes all 6 Library Safety and Health Representatives
• Manual handling risk management plans in place in many areas
• Introduction in 2005 of a wellness program, including reduced cost yoga sessions, information on a number of topic including: Coping with Change, Staying Positive, Speak Up for Yourself, Making the Brain-Body Connection, and Emotional Smarts
• Active planning for the new Sciences Library continues with the Library’s Safety Officer providing feedback on safety and security issues
• Thorough investigation of incidents and injuries and feedback given to the staff member concerned
• Action of safety issues such as: footwear, radiation from wireless base stations, fire safety, job requirements, manual handling, ergonomics, dust, and noise
• Active hazard management program with an impressive list of safety and health related achievements
• Extensive safety related training including attendance at OSH for managers and supervisor, Introductory and refresher SHR training, Warden training and refresher training, use of fire extinguishers and fire blankets, first aid training (5 persons in 2006), manual handling, workplace bullying, personal safety and mental health first aid

The School of Plant Biology and University Library were both highly commended on their efforts. They both demonstrated many aspects of good management commitment, planning, consultation, hazard management and training.

It has been decided to present the University Group Safety Award 2006 to the School of Plant Biology. The School received a framed certificate and gift voucher sponsored by the University Co-operative Bookshop

Left to Right: Mr Greg Cawthray (Chair, School Safety Committee), Professor Hans Lambers (Head of School), and Dr Renu Sharma (School Manager).

3. Individual Safety Award

The Individual Safety Award is to acknowledge outstanding contributions by individual employees of the University and its affiliates in establishing and maintaining high standards of occupational safety and health.

The contributions to workplace safety and health may be at a University, Faculty, School or Section level and have occurred or have been maintained since 2005. Evaluation took into account the different circumstances of the work areas.

The three finalists for the 2006 Individual Award were: Jason Allen (University Club), Greg Cawthray (Plant Biology) and Michael Smirk (Earth and Geophysical Sciences). Noteworthy aspects of their nominations are provided below.

Jason Allen – University Club

• Established (and Chairs) the University Club Safety Committee
• Drafted the Club’s Safety and Health manual, Emergency Procedures, external contractor procedures, Incident Reporting policy, Safe Food Handling policy, Kitchen Safety checklist and Club Risk Control register
• Created a Maintenance and Hazard Identification reporting system
• Drafted the Club’s Induction Training Manual with strong emphasis on Safety and Health
• Established the Club’s Fire Warden Team and Emergency Evacuation checklist
• Conducts monthly inspections
• Ensured all motorised kitchen equipment have adequate guards and that staff were provided with the necessary personnel protective equipment
• Acted as liaison with Facilities Management for electrical testing and tagging
• Reviewed the Club’s Health and Safety signage and actioned all shortfalls
• Oversaw the Club’s UWA internal Safety and Health Management Systems audit
• Was responsible in 2006 for arranging the following training programs: Responsible service of alcohol training for Food and Beverage staff (for on-going for new employees), Senior First Aid training (10 persons), Manual Handling training for banquet staff, care of substances hazardous to health training for kitchen porters, Fire Warden training and OSH training for managers and supervisors (18 persons)

Greg Cawthray – School of Plant Biology

• His commitment to safety in the School is exemplary
• Senior Research Officer (1999 – present) in the School of Plant Biology, a diverse, strongly research-based School with marine and terrestrial fieldwork; laboratory, glasshouse and office workplaces, including chemical, radiation, biological and manual handling hazards
• Involved in all aspects of safety in the School, including planning, management, hazard identification and management and training
• Has been the UWA Safety and Health Representative (SHR) for Plant Biology (PB), Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA) and Agriculture and Resource Economics (ARE) since 2000
• Current Chairperson of the Plant Biology Safety Committee and member since 2000
• Ensures that both agenda and minutes are accessible on the web for all to view
• Member of Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) Safety Committee since 2003
• Actively involved in the annual updating of the School Safety Manual
• Active in developing, implementing and reassessing UWA and School safety policies (e.g., fieldwork; vehicle use; O2 viva for cyanide work, purchase, risk assessment, Chem Alert)
• Building warden for Botany since 2004, area warden for FNAS central wing 1999-2003
• As the School Chemical Safety Officer, provides advice and assistance with Chem Alert, chemical use, chemical risk assessments, storage, waste management, including regular waste cleanups
• As the School Field Safety Officer, assists with the organisation of equipment including first aid kits, off-road recovery gear, and field work plan submissions with associated risk assessments
• Provides frequent safety inductions for new personnel, using a PowerPoint presentation developed by himself, and is active in keeping information and policy links and changes up to date
• Provided a PowerPoint presentation on behalf of Safety and Health in October 2005 on the updated UWA Fieldwork policy to the wider University community (attended by 25 persons)
• Aids in information dissemination to the School, including upcoming safety training and relevant safety alerts via email, staff meetings, and safety committee meetings
• Actively involved with the development of area-specific safety induction checklists as well as “welcome” and “farewell” checklists on safety-related matters (i.e. safety resources available, chemicals left at project end)
• Organises and coordinates safety-related training required for induction sessions (e.g., 4WD, First Aid, Gene Technology, Radiation, Laboratory Safety, Fire Extinguisher, Manual Handling, Workstation setup) and ongoing as requested
• Heavily involved in the Internal Safety audit conducted by Safety and Health in late 2005 where the School gained a very good overall assessment of 94%
• UWA 4WD course coordinator since 2003 and instrumental in updating the 4WD safety manual in 2006, combining all relevant information into one convenient handbook
• Actively involved in annual workplace inspections and also incident/accident investigations in the role of SHR wherever possible
• An enthusiastic person strongly committed to workplace safety and imparting a safety ethos amongst his colleagues and has been the major driving force behind workplace safety in the School of Plant Biology

Michael Smirk - School of Earth and Geographical Science

• Senior Research Officer within the Soil Science discipline of the School of Earth and Geographical Science (SEGS)
• Soil Science is a large, complex, field and laboratory based research intensive area, with a number of potentially hazardous chemicals and materials
• Considered a leader within the Discipline and School in the field of occupational safety and health, is a mentor to staff and students alike on safety issues and has a strong commitment to ensuring that the School maintains safety standards of the highest order
• Chairperson of the Soil Science Safety Committee, now the SEGS South Safety Working Party since 2001. The Working Party meets every quarter and coordinates laboratory inspections, end of year clean up days and organises regular seminars for staff on aspects of safety such as manual handling, fire extinguisher training and chemical handling. The Working Party currently has an active membership of 10 staff and students across a broad range of areas encompassing all research groups within the building
• Active member of the SEGS Safety Committee since its inception in 2002
• Member of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (FNAS) Safety Committee
• As the School Radiation Safety Officer he is responsible for the safe management of x-ray analysis equipment
• ChemAlert System Administrator for Soil Sciences
• Actively implements University safety initiatives, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures, including electrical equipment testing and tagging, field work procedures and conducting risk assessments on more hazardous tasks such as acid digestions
• Trains staff and students in safe laboratory practices and instrument usage
• Conducts safety inductions for Honours and Postgraduate students
• Undertaken safety inspections both within his own work area and in the Geology/Geography discipline on a regular basis
• Undertakes bi-annual seminars on safety issues for staff
• As a result of measures implemented and the discipline’s overall commitment to safety, Soil Science has had a very low incidence of lost time injury since 2000
• Deals with safety issues in a prompt, diligent and efficient manner and has the support and respect of his colleagues
• His leadership has resulted in staff and students taking a more active role in safety issues and led to a safer work environment in a potentially hazardous area

It has been decided to present the University Individual Safety Award 2006 to Greg Cawthray. Greg received a framed certificate and gift voucher sponsored by the University Co-operative Bookshop

It was also decided to present a Special Individual Safety Award to Jason Allen for his leadership and efforts in establishing the safety management and related systems within the recently opened (March 2005) University Club.

4. Group Rehabilitation Award

The Rehabilitation Award is to acknowledge work-areas who have demonstrated remarkable support and assistance in aiding employees with their return to work following an injury or onset of a medical condition. It seeks to acknowledge general support, assistance and accommodation only made to fellow employees, whether on a temporary or ongoing basis.

There were no finalists for the 2006 Group Rehabilitation Award. However there are a number of University programs and activities which assist in injury prevention and in the rehabilitation of injured employees which are worth noting including:

• Computer workstation ergonomic assessments (450 in 2005) and supply of equipment
• Assistance with accommodations/adjustments and assisting staff return to work after injury/illness including non work related (fitness for duty recommendation, provision of loan equipment, counselling)
• Adjustments and accommodations for staff with disabilities
• Provision of equipment such as wheelchairs for transporting persons
• Access to blue parking bays for UWA staff and students with a temporary disability

The awards are an opportunity to demonstrate and be acknowledged for high standards in safety and health by both groups and individuals and to share these achievements with others.

Congratulations to all finalists for either submitting or being nominated for their efforts and achievements.

The University greatly appreciates the kind sponsorship provided for the University Safety Awards by the University Co-operative Bookshop.