University Safety Awards 2003

1. The Awards

The UWA 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 fifth year the awards have been presented on behalf of the University Safety Committee. These 2003 awards are for activities and achievements made since 2002.

Sponsorship

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

Requirements

Written submissions were required. The deadline for both categories was 22nd August 2003.

Selection Panel

A selection panel met and decided on both awards. Members of the selection panel were:

• Dr Allan McKinley, Chair, University Safety Committee
• Mr Bob Farrelly, Director, Human Resources
• Mr Mike Rafferty, Manager, Safety and Health, UWA Safety and Health
• Ms Averil Riley, Senior Occupational Therapist, UWA Safety and Health

Presentations

A presentation function was held in the Prescott Room, Vice-Chancellery on Wednesday 15th October 2003. The master of ceremonies was Dr Allan McKinley, Chair of the University Safety Committee. Professor Margaret Seares, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Community and Development) presented the awards.

Winners for both categories received gift vouchers sponsored by the University Cooperative Bookshop. An article on the UWA Safety Awards will also appear in UWA News.

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.

Faculties, Schools and Sections 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 were:

The winner of the 2003 Group Safety Award was the Facilities Management – Workshops.  In attendance was Gerald Stack (Manager, Operations and Maintenance), Simon Stanton-Cook (Workshop Manager) and David Freshwater.  

Background on the FM Workshops includes:

• Has responsibility to ensure the built infrastructure is maintained, and delivers the high level of support demanded for the study and research objectives of the University of Western Australia
• Has 37 staff directed by a Work shops Manager.  The staff are grouped into six trade sections each led by a working supervisor. Each section has an apprentice.
• Has an accredited Safety and Health Representative, with responsibility for the Workshop (and its contractors) and the Central Plant
• Located in two workshops (Myer Street and McGillivray), the Maintenance Workshop carries out over $5 million of works annually.
• Is self-funded, the staff is customer focused and constantly seeking areas for improving their skills and their performance.

The FM Workshops considers it has three layers of responsibility, covering the following: 

• The construction and maintenance work that they perform themselves which requires a high level of competence in trade skills and intimate knowledge of WorkSafe regulations and safe working procedures
• Commissioning and overseeing of UWA contractors and sub contractors in accordance with the UWA Contractors Safety and Health Policy and guidelines
• The safe operation of buildings and services, to protect the users and keep the general public from harm

• Adoption of the UWA Occupational Safety and Health Policy and promoting it to all staff and contractors through inductions, publication on notice boards and posters and through specific discussions made at the weekly all-staff meetings
• Staff recently trained in identifying hazards, in assessing the risks and in devising methods to control (via the control hierarchy) and minimise the risk
• There are clearly explained and well understood procedures for reporting hazards in the workplace
• Well developed and implemented plans for dealing with particular hazards such manual handling (including lifting and moving equipment), high risk activities (hot work, confined spaces, excavation works, working from heights) and responding to emergencies
• shops also have a particular responsibility for barricading and marking hazardous locations and excavations. Suitable equipment is kept and used.
• Testing and tagging systems already in place for all portable Workshop electrical equipment and electrical leads
• Regular (weekly) supervisor and staff meetings at which safety issues are raised, incident reports discussed, action plans formulated and responsibilities for actions monitored
• Monthly hazard inspections involve staff and all staff are aware of the hazard identification procedures
• Good housekeeping is general practice, with a special scheduled weekly clean-up keeping the workshop safe for general movement
• Skills audit is in progress to identify shortfalls in skills and safety knowledge. This will be used to program training of all staff as needed.
• Presently, training is done using UWA Safety and Health programs with some special focus training from suppliers or external trainers.
• Training received is recorded in the FM General Administration office

L-R  Jack Kirkness, Allan McKinley, Simon Stanton-Cook (centre), David Freshwater, Michael Rafferty, Gerald Stack.

3. Individual Safety Award

The nomination for Jack was submitted by BGC Construction. It was signed by 7 of their management, supervisory and safety nominated personnel.  Comments made in the nomination included:

• The Construction Managers, Site Foremen and associated tradespeople have all been associated with Jack over the last four years and always found him to be extremely knowledgeable and professional in matters of safety and all rely on advice that he gives
• His approach to issues of Safety and Health are of a no tolerance approach which we as responsible builders are appreciative of
• He follows procedures to the letter and never goes for a soft option approach
• We have adopted the procedure of consulting with Jack when compiling our Site Specific Safety Procedure manuals as we know that issues specific to the University's requirements are covered
• Jack conducts periodical sessions for Builders and Consultants benefit to ensure that all the UWA requirements are fully understood and most importantly, adhered to

• Winner of UWA 2001 Individual Safety Award and received several nominations for the 2002 award
• Key player in formulating and implementation of the safety induction program for UWA FM contractors
• Reviewed and updated the contractors workplace safety and health procedures
• Vigilant and consistent in applying safety guidelines within the University
• Approachable, enthusiastic, firm but fair manner in relation to safety issues
• Regular contributor to UWA safety personnel meetings
• Member of the Safety Committee since 10 April 2001 and has been an invaluable contributor to this committee
• Regular contributor to the UWA Safety Seminar – in 2003 Jack presented a well received talk in ‘Working Safely with Contractors’

October 2003 (F6914)