University Safety Awards 2008

The Awards

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

This is the 10th year that the awards have been presented on behalf of the University Safety Committee.  Apart from the Group and Individual Safety Awards it was decided in 2008 to introduce a new Safety Recognition Award category.  No specific criteria were required for this award and the Selection Panel used its discretion in awarding this based on nominations received for the other two categories.  The 2008 awards are for activities and achievements made since 2007. 

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 3rd October 2008.   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 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
• Ms Beverley Hill, Manager, Equity and Diversity

Presentation

A presentation function for the awards was held in the Prescott Room, Vice-Chancellery on Friday 31st October 2008. The master of ceremonies was Dr Allan McKinley and Professor Robyn Owens, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Research Training) presented the awards.
Award recipients received framed certificates and gift vouchers sponsored by the University Cooperative Bookshop. An article on the awards will also appear in UWA News.

Past Safety Award Recipients 

2. Safety Recognition Award

A new category of Safety Recognition Award was introduced in 2008 with no specified criteria.  One nomination from Science Library Team was received for this category although the Selection Panel widened the field of nominations to include those submitted for the Individual Safety Award. 

Science Library Team

The nomination of the Science Library team recognized their efforts before, during and after the closure of the Biological Sciences Library during heavy construction associated with the building of the new Science Library.  The Science Library team demonstrated their commitment to occupational health and safety in preparing for the closure, during the closure and in preparing to re-open the Biological Sciences Library. 

For safety reasons the Biological Sciences Library was closed for 4 weeks in July 2008 with minimal inconvenience to academics and students through effective planning by the Science Library Organizing Committee.  Library materials and equipment were protected from dust through the use of plastic covers and Library staff would only access the building after 4 pm each day when the builders had finished.  The Science Library staff are informed and consulted on workplace changes.  Fitness promotion has been encouraged through the issue and use of pedometers and through entering a team in the 2008 City to Surf fun run.

3. Individual Safety Award

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

There were six nominations received for the 2008 Individual Award: 

• Dr Jane Allan, Lecturer, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Fremantle Hospital
• Ms Lindy Brophy, Editor–UWA News, Public Affairs
• Mr Richard Claudius, Senior Technical Officer, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Pharmacology and    Anaesthesiology Unit
• Dr Renu Sharma, School Manager, School of Plant Biology
• Mr Richard Small, Administrative Assistant, School of Humanities
• Mr Graeme Warburton, Senior Technician, School of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts

Dr Jane Allan, School of Medicine and Pharmacology

Jane is the School of Medicine and Pharmacology, Fremantle Unit Safety Officer and Chairperson of the School Safety and Risk Management Committee.  Jane has worked diligently to guide each unit through a safety audit during 2008 and provided advice, examples of documentation and support to the other units as well as her own unit.  She has been a proactive chairperson who has kept committee members informed of the latest safety issues and has followed up any problems.  She attends all safety and health meetings and training sessions and is always up to date with any changes or new procedures. The importance she places on safety is evident through her enthusiastic contribution to the School Safety and Risk Management Committee.  Jane is also a valued member of the UWA Institutional Biosafety Committee.

 
Ms Lindy Brophy, Public Affairs

Lindy commenced employment with UWA in 1998 and works as a Journalist and Editor of UWA News, in Public Affairs.  Lindy has been a Safety and Health Representative (SHR) since 2004 and has served on the University Safety Committee since August 2007.  Lindy is an active, influencing SHR committed to identifying and addressing safety issues within her work area and also other areas around the University.  She injects enthusiasm and passion into her role, promoting a safe, healthy workplace and culture.  Lindy is proactive in workplace inspections and following up areas of concern.  She regularly publishes safety related articles and information (such as the Emergency number and EAP services) in UWA News.

Mr Richard Claudius, School of Medicine and Pharmacology

Richard has been employed at UWA for over 28 years and since 1987 has overseen safety related issues in the Pharmacology and Anaesthesiology Unit (previously the Department of Pharmacology).  Richard
• Is responsible for all aspects of safety associated with Customs (e.g. ethanol) and AQIS (importing/exporting    biological materials) requirements including applications, record-keeping and storage. A major audit of their AQIS    licence was conducted by the Commonwealth in 1997, and was very favourably received due to the input of Richard.
• Undertakes regular safety checks of their teaching and research laboratories
• Has been actively involved in the design and management of two major redevelopments within the Unit of new teaching laboratories
• Oversees the safe use of radioactive materials in the Unit
• Completes safety inductions for all new staff
• Has been the local warden and has recently been approached by SCGH to be an area warden for 6 sections
• Has been an active member of the School Safety Committee since 2005
 

Dr Renu Sharma, School of Plant Biology

Renu emigrated from India to Australia in 2000 and worked for 2 years at WA TAFE.  In 2002 Renu joined UWA as School Manager in Physics and in 2004 became School Manager in Plant Biology.  Plant Biology is a research intensive School with over 80 staff and 100 post graduate students and undertakes a wide range of research activities involving laboratories, plant growth facilities, field work, diving and boating.  The School’s safety related achievements include:
• Has a very active Safety Committee, specialist safety roles (biological, chemical, radiation, fieldwork, diving and boating), comprehensive safety manual (updated annually), dedicated safety web site, individual safety inductions, regular School wide safety inductions and annual safety audits of laboratories
• Has a School Safety management plan with key performance indicators http://intranet.uwa.edu.au/plantbiol/index
• Scored 94% in the internal OHSMS audit in 2005 and was noted as being particularly strong in most areas, especially Policy and Management Review
• Was awarded the UWA Group Safety Award in 2006 with SHR Greg Cawthray being awarded the UWA Individual Safety Award in 2006

Renu is the School of Plant Biology Safety Officer and with her role as Co-Chair of the University Managers’ Group (UMG) has been the UMG representative on the University Safety Committee since June 2005. 

Renu has a very strong commitment to develop a culture of safety in the School and has very actively implemented systems in the School to ensure due diligence and duty of care in ensuring the safety of staff, students and visitors.   Renu is involved in implementing safety in a leadership role and is also a very hands on active participant in safety implementation. Her biggest strength is in acknowledging the duty of care towards safety and encouraging others to follow the same.  

Medical Incident – June 2008

In June 2008 UWA student suffered a cardiac arrest whilst attending an Italian oral exam in the Arts building.  Fellow students and staff member Richard Small provided CPR until UWA Security Manager, Graham Morrison attended with a defibrillator, the electrical device used to shock hearts during resuscitation.  Ambulance officers soon arrived and after further defibrillator treatments were able to stabilise the student before her transfer to Hospital and eventual recovery.  The prompt actions of all helped save the life of a UWA student.  Refer
UWA News, 28 July 2008 Volume 27 Number 10, page 3 http://uwanews.publishing.uwa.edu.au/?f=227734   
UWA News, 8 September 2008 Volume 27 Number 13, page 16
http://uwanews.publishing.uwa.edu.au/?f=231888

Mr Richard Small, School of Humanities

Richard was nominated by Professor Philippa Maddern, Head of the School of Humanities for his outstanding contribution in helping save the life of a UWA student.  Richard used his knowledge and skills gained through his First Aid training to administer CPR in a prompt and effective matter to sustain life.  The School is reviewing its First Aid training with a view to having more staff equipped with these very valuable skills.

It should be noted that there has been a focus on First Aid training at UWA in 2008 and around 350 UWA staff have completed various forms of St John Ambulance First Aid training - Basic Resuscitation First Aid (3.5 hours), Basic Workplace First Aid (1 day), Defibrillator Refresher (2 hours) and Senior First Aid (2 days).     

Mr Graeme Warburton, School of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts

Graeme has been an employee at UWA since 1986 and has been an active Safety and Health Representative since 1995. During this time he has improved occupational safety and health standards through the following activities:
• Assisting with the preparation and conduct of the Safety Audit of the Workshop
• Consistent operational role assisting the School Manager as the Building Warden and previously as a Warden in Physics for 13 years
• Upgraded emergency signage within the Faculty
• Developed a Workshop Survival Guide and Induction Safety course
• Demonstrated a strong commitment to safety through investigation of incidents and injuries, providing recommendations for improvements and including revised procedures in induction of staff and the workshop guide
• Assisted with the disposal of old and the reduction of stored chemicals in the Faculty
• Successfully lobbied for the upgrading of pedestrian safety at the corner of Stirling Highway and Hampden Road
• Maintains the electrical test and tag program and the First Aid kit program for the Faculty

4. Special Recognition and Individual Safety Awards

The Selection Panel decided on the following:

• All Finalists will receive a framed certificate.
• The Safety Recognition Award(s) will be made from these Finalists.
• In 2009 we will introduce a Safety Leadership Award to encourage the recognition of heads, managers and supervisors for their efforts to improve or sustain high safety standards either at a Business Unit or at a Corporate level. 

The Individual Safety Award 2008 was awarded jointly to Richard Claudius and Graeme Warburton for their long term commitment, dedication and achievements to improving the OSH standards in their work areas.  Both received a framed certificate and gift voucher sponsored by the University Co-operative Bookshop.

           Richard Claudius                                                     Graeme Warburton

A Safety Recognition Award was made to Richard Small in appreciation for maintaining his First Aid skills and for his prompt response in attending to others in need of assistance.  Another Safety Recognition Award was made to Dr Renu Sharma in appreciation of her outstanding leadership in influencing occupational safety and health management at a business unit and at a strategic level.    Both received a framed certificate and gift voucher sponsored by the University Co-operative Bookshop.

Framed certificates will be provided to the Science Library Team, Dr Jane Allan and Lindy Brophy for their great contributions as mentioned previously.

5. 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 required to be 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 nominations for the 2008 Group Award were the School of Mechanical Engineering and UWA Parking and Security.

School of Mechanical Engineering

Background on the School of Mechanical Engineering:
• 94 Academic and Professional staff, 58 postgraduate research students, around 100 postgraduate coursework students and 545 undergraduate students
• Operates 54 laboratories and 3 workshops.
• From a traditional base of mechanical engineering the School has expanded into chemical and process engineering, petrochemical energy research, mineral processing, materials and biotechnology
• Over recent years there has been a trend towards practical applications of engineering with undergraduate students being taught and participating in a range of manufacturing activities including projects such as Motorsport, Warman Project and Foundry.
• Has a diverse range of hazards that include rotating machinery, robotics, chemical substances, nano technology, flammable and toxic gases, cryogenics, Class 3B and 4 lasers, electrical, and biological.

Noteworthy aspects of the School of Mechanical Engineering submission:
• Strong commitment from senior management to safety.
• Experienced and dedicated safety personnel.
• Comprehensive School Safety website:  http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/safety/
• The School Safety Committee has a wide representation from staff and students, meets monthly and places a strong emphasis on the timely completion of business.
• All new major projects, renovations and new start-up facilities require safety approvals at the planning stage and compliance with defined safety objectives throughout construction.
• A strong emphasis is placed on safety inductions, documented risk assessments of processes, safe operating procedures and safe shutdown procedures.
• The School is currently looking at the requirements for developing its own on-line risk assessment report archive system to allow risk assessments to be reviewed and stored on-line, rather than the current arrangement of filed reports in the Administrative Office.
• A recent project involved the initiation and resourcing of a Noise Audit and a Noise Management Plan for the School, which will also be used in other areas of the University.
• The School has a comprehensive safety induction and competency based training for staff and students with written materials, participant sign off and a system of central recording of completed training.  New areas of safety training are being added as demand arises.  Publishing group Connection recently requested permission to publish some of the Schools training material in their Building, Plumbing and Electrical Connection magazines.
• In 2006 the School submitted a proposal to the Dean to introduce student safety inductions to all first year Engineering students.  This later received approval and the School worked with the newly appointed First Year Coordinator to assist in developing the program.

UWA Security and Parking

Background on UWA Security and Parking:
• Provides 24 hour a day security and emergency response services.
• Are highly commended and values for their emergency response services which have helped save the lives of staff and students (cardiac arrest incidents) in recent times.
• Provides services such as access on and around campus, traffic control, crowd control, liquor licensing, egress and access within campus, emergency access routes, parking allocation/pedestrian access where safety of staff, students and visitors is paramount.
• It is a Section that the University Community can take for granted, yet relies on very heavily for its day-to-day operation.

Noteworthy aspects of the UWA Security and Parking submission include:
• Management has trust in their staff, which flows into having good teamwork.
• Safety matters are raised as required and routinely at fortnightly staff meetings.
• Each staff member plays a significant role in being the “eyes and ears” when on patrol around the campus, and take an active role in reporting physical hazards around campus.
• In the recent office refurbishment, staff input and professional ergonomic advice was obtained to ensure vastly improved working conditions resulted. 
• Examples of their own staff safety and health related programs include ‘Sun Smart’, footwear assessments and extensive reviews of shift work patterns.
• Safety is incorporated in planning for public events – graduation ceremonies, protests (when these occur), visits by Officials and VIPs. Some events are unpredictable and the ramifications of not being prepared could have severe implications.
• Maintains and distributes the UWA Security and Personal Safety information:  http://www.fm.uwa.edu.au/about/security_safety  
• All Security and Parking staff are trained to Senior First Aid level, and have attended further training on the use of defibrillators.  Most of the staff on day shift have attended Mental Health First Aid training, which is a first for the security and parking industry.

The UWA Group Safety Award 2008 was presented to the School of Mechanical Engineering.  The School received a framed certificate and gift voucher sponsored by the University Co-operative Bookshop

A framed certificates was provided to UWA Security and Parking for being a Finalist for the UWA Group Safety Award 2008.
  

Rob Greenhalgh (Safety Officer), Brett Kirk (Head of School) & Tony Fagan (School Manager)

6.  Closing Comments

The awards are an opportunity to demonstrate high achievements in safety and health by both groups and individuals and to share these achievements with others. 
Congratulations to all nominees 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.

November 2008 (F24247)