University Safety Committee Constitution

This committee operates in accordance with the Principles and Rules for the Operation of Committees available at http://www.secretariat.uwa.edu.au/page/89528

Members must act in accordance with the University Committee Members’ Code of Conduct available at http://www.secretariat.uwa.edu.au/page/89528

1. The University Safety Committee is an Advisory Committee to the Vice-Chancellor and a legislative requirement under the WA Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984.

2. Role

(1) The role of the committee is to—

a. Assist the University in complying with statutory occupational safety and health obligations and best practice requirements to provide safe workplaces and safe work practices

b. Assist workplaces and individuals by supporting the provision of occupational safety and health information, instruction, training and financial assistance as required

c. Provide a forum to raise occupational safety and health issues and assistance with resolving such issues

d. Review and approve occupational safety and health policies, procedures and programmes for continuous improvement in these areas

e. Monitor occupational safety and health performance at the University

f. Advise the University community of occupational safety and health responsibilities, performance and issues as required

g. Promote a culture of safety throughout the University

(2) The role of UWA Safety and Health is to –

a. Support and service the committee

b. Be responsible for development and implementation on decisions made in the area of Safety and Health.

3. Membership

The committee comprises:

a. Two members of the Academic staff, nominated by the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor

b. One member nominated by and from the University Management Group

c. Director, Human Resources or nominee

d. Director, Facilities Management or nominee

e. Director, University Health Services or nominee

f. Six members nominated by and from the current University Safety and Health Representatives

g. Up to two co-opted members, provided that at least one is a current University Safety and Health Representative

h. President of Postgraduate Student Association or nominee as an invitee

i. Manager, Safety and Health, to be a standing invitee

j. The Chair is appointed by the Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor. In the absence of the Chair at a meeting a Deputy Chair may be elected.

4. Terms of Office

(1) The term of office of members appointed under 3.(1)(a) and (b) is two years.

(2) The term of office of members appointed under 3.(1)(f) and co-opted under 3.1(g) is one year.

5. Eligibility for a Second or Subsequent Term of Office

(1) At the end of a term of office, members appointed under 3.(1)(a), (b), and (f) may be re-appointed.

(2) At the end of a term of office, members co-opted under 3.(1)(g) may be re-co-opted.

6. Skills and/or Qualifications of Members

It is desirable that members elected/appointed under 3.(1)(a), (b), and (f) have knowledge, skills, and experience in occupational safety and health fundamentals and application and also experience in University administration.

7. Quorum

The quorum for the committee is seven.

8. Decisions

(1) All questions which come before the committee are decided by a majority of the members present and voting

(2) Members likely to be absent at a meeting may appoint (in writing to the Secretary) another Committee member as a nominee or cast a vote (in writing to the Secretary) prior to the meeting

(3) The chair of the meeting has an ordinary vote and a casting vote.

9. Frequency of Meetings

The committee normally meets at least once every second month but may meet more frequently if necessary.

10. Delegation

The committee may delegate its responsibilities under 2 to the Chair or their nominee. The committee delegates its responsibility in relation to considering and recommending on specific applications to a sub-committee (comprising committee membership) or a working party (not necessarily with committee membership) depending on the issue.

11. Elections

Election of Safety and Health Representatives to serve on the University Safety Committee are conducted by a call to all current Safety and Health Representatives following the annual nomination process. If required a ballot may be conducted to determine the six members to serve on the committee for the next year. A similar process will be followed should a member resign or not be able to continue on the committee.

NOTES

Local Decision-making Map

A decision-making map illustrating where the committee’s business comes from and where its recommendations or decisions go is available at http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/people/committees/safety/decisionmap

Local Communications Map

A communications map illustrating where information comes to the committee from and which committees or groups need to be informed of the committee’s decisions is available at http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/people/committees/safety/communicationsmap