Responsibility and Accountability

1. Introduction

The Occupational Safety and Health Policy, approved by the Vice-Chancellor, commits the University to ensuring a safe and healthy workplace for staff, students, contractors and visitors. This policy provides further information on the responsibilities and accountabilities for such.

To effectively implement this policy, staff at all levels are required to be made aware of their responsibilities and also held accountable for their actions or inactions. This requires the ongoing incorporation of occupational safety and health (OSH) principles into work practices, the ongoing commitment of resources to OSH and communications between all levels of staff and others.

All staff and students are responsible for their own safety and health and for that of others whose activities they may influence or control.  The degree of responsibility a person has will depend on his or her level of influence or control.  This concept is recognised in law. 

2. All Managers

The following responsibilities are established in law and are the general responsibility of all management staff.  In addition to the general duties, specific responsibilities also apply.

It is management’s responsibility to ensure that those issues that they cannot directly control are passed onto the relevant person or persons.

All managers shall, as far as it is practicable, provide and maintain a working environment in which staff, students and others are not exposed to hazards and shall

• provide and maintain workplaces, plant and systems of work such that as far as practicable, staff, students, contractors and others are not exposed to hazards
• provide such information, instruction, training and supervision of staff and students as is necessary to enable them to perform their work in such a manner that they are not exposed to hazards
• consult and co-operate with safety and health representatives, employees and others at the workplace regarding safety and health issues
• where it is not practicable to avoid the presence of hazards at the workplace, provide staff and students with such adequate personal protective clothing and equipment as is practicable to protect them against those hazards, without any cost to the staff and student (as appropriate)
• make arrangements for ensuring that, so far as practicable that the use cleaning, maintenance, transportation and disposal of plant; and the use, handling, processing, storage, transportation and disposal of substances at the workplace is carried out in a manner such that staff, students, contractors and others are not exposed to hazards

All managers should have a basic understanding of the provisions of the relevant OSH and workers’ compensation legislation, codes of practice, Australian and other standards as well as of the UWA specific safety and health policies, procedures and guidelines.  The UWA Occupational Safety and Health policy requires OSH to be an integral part of the responsibility of every manager and all those responsible for staff must be aware of, and take appropriate action on, OSH matters which may affect staff under their control.

3. Deans, Heads of Schools, Directors of Centres / Sections

In addition to the general responsibility placed on all managers, Deans, Heads of Schools, Directors of Centres / Sections are also responsible for the following within their work areas

• Establishing local policy and management of safety and health
• Regularly evaluating and reviewing occupational safety and health performance indicators for the work area
• Appointing and supporting the necessary safety personnel
• Allocating the necessary resources to the safety and health program
• Devising and implementing priority plans to address concerns that cannot be resolved immediately
• Ensuring all staff are adequately trained and competent, with respect to safety and health, for the tasks undertaken
• Ensuring all staff, students (as applicable) and others (as applicable) undertake a thorough safety induction upon commencement of employment or duties
• Ensuring that supervisory staff are aware of and act upon their responsibilities
• Ensuring the proper supervision of staff, students and others
• Ensuring staff and students are aware of the reporting and resolution process for hazards, incidents and injuries
• Establishing local safety and health consultation and information arrangements
• Establishing and actively supporting a local Safety Committee
• Annually reviewing the safety and health record of the work area, including occupational safety and health management plans, and issuing a statement of safety objectives for the following year
• Noting all incident and injury reports, near miss reports, hazard reports, safety inspection reports and ensuring remedial action has been taken
• Keeping staff informed of safety matters, and ensure that procedures are in place to identify hazards, monitor and control risks and that systems are maintained and reviewed regularly
• Ensuring all necessary records are kept and maintained up to date
• Cooperating with the rehabilitation of injured and sick employees in accordance with the University’s injury management policy
• Ensuring compliance with legislations, University safety and health policies, procedures and guidelines

4. Safety Committees

Faculties/Schools/Centres and Sections are strongly encouraged to systematically address safety and health matters through effective Safety Committees involving representatives from senior management, staff (academic, general), safety and health representatives and students.  Suggested agenda items for these Committees are

• hazards reported and actions arising
• incident/injuries and lost time follow ups
• workers' compensation support (as necessary)
• safety related training (including inductions)  
• workplace inspections and follow ups
• implementation of University, Faculty and School safety related policies, procedures, and guidelines
• safety budgets and funding
• promotion of a workplace safety culture
• preparing for workplace audits and submitting for recognition of achievements (eg UWA Safety Awards)

5. Supervisors

Supervisors are those who have responsibility for the control of other persons within a work area or part of a work area of a Faculty/School/Centre/Section.  In addition to the general responsibilities, supervisors are also responsible for

• ensuring that all staff supervised within their area are aware of their responsibility to work and act safely
• conducting regular safety inspections
• conducting and reporting incidents, injuries or near miss reports and/or investigations and ensuring corrective action is taken as necessary
• making training recommendations, as they see necessary, to the Faculty/School/Centre/Section heads
• ensuring the proper induction of new staff, following University guidelines
• cooperating in the rehabilitation of injured employees  
• cooperating in the implementation and administration of the University safety and health policies, procedures and guidelines

6. University employees, undergraduate and post-graduate students

All employees and students are responsible for working and acting safely.  Specific responsibilities include

• taking reasonable care of their safety and health and that of co-workers, students and visitors
• cooperating with the implementation and administration of University safety policies, procedures and guidelines
• observing all instructions and rules issued to protect their safety and health and that of others
• using plant and equipment as instructed by their supervisor  
• making proper use of all safeguards, safety devices, personal protective equipment and other appliances for safety purposes
• using protective equipment and wearing personal protective clothing as instructed
• seeking information or advice regarding hazards and procedures where necessary before carrying out new or unfamiliar work
• being familiar with emergency and evacuation procedures and the location of first aid kits, personnel and emergency equipment, and if appropriately trained, using emergency equipment
• reporting all incidents, injuries, near misses and hazards to their supervisor

7. Safety and Health Representatives

The functions of a safety and health representative are, in the interests of safety and health at the workplace for which they are elected

• to inspect the workplace or any part of it at such times as agreed with the Faculty/Department/Centre/Section heads
• immediately, in the event of an accident, a dangerous occurrence, or a risk of imminent and serious injury to, or imminent and serious harm to the heath of any person to carry out any appropriate investigation in respect of the matter
• to keep informed on the safety and health information provided by the University in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act
• forthwith to report to the immediate supervisor any hazard or potential hazard to which any person is, or might be, exposed at the workplace that comes to his/her notice
• to refer any matters that he/she thinks should be considered by the local Safety Committee or the University Safety Committee
• to consult, cooperate and liaise with staff or students regarding matters concerning the safety, health and welfare of persons in the workplace

8. School Safety Officers

The role of School Safety Officers is to assist Heads of Schools and Directors of Centres /Sections and supervisors in fulfilling their safety and health related responsibilities. Specific responsibilities include

• Assisting with a management systems approach to safety and health within the School / Centre /Section
• Assisting with the appointment of safety personnel and ensuring they understand and fulfil their responsibilities
• Coordinating their activities with those of other safety personnel such as Safety and Health Representatives, First Aid Officers, Building Wardens, Wardens and designated School or Section Safety Officers (Biological, Chemical, Fieldwork, Radiation)
• Conducting or coordinating regular internal safety inspections
• Discussing potentially hazardous processes and operations with staff, students and visitors and obtaining their cooperation in reducing them as much as possible
• Informing Heads of Schools and Directors of Centres/Sections in writing of remaining hazards (responsibilities for carrying out risk assessments lies with the staff member in control of the operation)
• Familiarising themselves with any Statutory or University regulations, policies and procedures which would normally be applicable and informing their Head of School in writing in cases where this is not done
• Periodically inspecting hazard, incident and injury reports, investigating where appropriate, and taking appropriate action to achieve safe working and prevent recurrences
• Recommending to the Head of School any changes to avoid hazards (the responsibility for implementing such recommendation rests with the Head of School)
• Informing others of possible hazards by distribution and circulation of safety information and by appropriate publicity e.g. circulars, posters

9. Wardens

The evacuation of buildings may be required in the event of fires, major spills, bomb threats or earthquakes.  Heads of School are primarily responsible for ensuring evacuation procedures are developed and enforced within their work areas.  Wardens are responsible for assisting in the planning and the actual execution of building evacuations.

Wardens are required to be familiar with recognising and responding to alarms, ensuring the building is evacuated, ensuring that all personal can be accounted for and for liasing with the support services which are required to attend to the alarm.  Each building should have a Building Warden and a number of Wardens for areas within the building.  It is essential that there be deputy wardens to assist and in case of absences. 

10. First Aid Officers

Nominated First Aid Officers have current Senior First Aid Certificates and have skills in basic first aid as well as more complex life saving techniques such as expired air resuscitation and cardio-pulmonary.  First Aid Officers are required to be familiar with the specific hazards and conditions of their workplace.

11. Contractors

Contractors includes principal contractors and their sub contractors, who may be engaged by UWA Facilities Management, Faculties, Schools or Sections for construction, building and infra-structure maintenance and repair, communication installations and deliveries on campus.

Contractors are required to comply with the UWA Contractor Safety and Health policy and are responsible for:

• Ensuring their staff are properly qualified and trained to safely undertake the work
• Ensuring they and their staff are properly inducted to UWA specific standards
• Submitting a completed Risk Management Checklist with proof of insurances
• Submitting a Safety Management Plan for larger contract works
• Obtaining permits to work as required prior to commencing any hazardous work such as hot work, asbestos removal, demolition, confined spaces or electrical work.

12. Visitors

Visitors are responsible for cooperating with University safety and health requirements and not interfering with any aspects of the safety and health management systems on campus.

13. UWA Safety and Health 

The role of UWA Safety and Health  is to develop, advise on and assist in the implementation of the University's Occupational Safety and Health policy.  This is achieved through

• developing and implementing occupational safety and health policies, plans and procedures
• effective workplace consultation
• conducting hazard identification, risk assessment and control  

• providing safety information and training

The primary responsibility for safety and health for employees, students, contractors and visitors rests with the University's line management. UWA Safety and Health provides corporate services for Faculties, Schools, Centres and Sections to assist them in complying with legislation requirements and best safety practices. Services that are provided include 

• emergency  planning  and response
• insurance - property, liability, motor vehicle, travel and student accident plan
• workers' compensation and rehabilitation
• manual handling and ergonomic assessment
• biological, chemical, radiation, laboratory and workshop safety
• hazard, incident and injury investigation
• safety information and training
• workplace visits and inspections

UWA Safety and Health provides the executive support for the University's central safety committees which have been set up under legislation or similar obligations.  The Office is responsible to the Director, Human Resources.

14. UWA Facilities Management

Facilities Management Senior Managers in Planning and Design and Operations and Maintenance are responsible for ensuring all University building structures and infra-structure services and equipment comply with all statutory regulations,
Australian Standards and Codes of Practice requirements for OSH, environment, public health, Commonwealth Gene Technology legislation and local government authorities.

15. Security and Parking

The Security and Parking Office’s role is to monitor and assist with the personal safety of staff, students and visitors whilst on campus and to provide services to protect personal security such as night transport, security officers and barriers.  They are also responsible for

• providing a first aid response service to the campus
• coordinating the emergency response to fires, bomb threats, explosions, gas leaks, storms and other dangerous incidents
• determining parking policy on campus including placement of barriers and signs in shared pedestrian/vehicle zones.

16. University Safety Committee

The University Safety Committee comprises of elected Safety and Health Representatives and representatives from University management. The purpose of the committee is to provide a forum for safety and health issues to be discussed and to make recommendations at a senior level.  The terms of reference of this committee can be found at UWA Safety and Health home page at:  http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/people/committees/safety

Reporting to the University Safety Committee is a number of specialist safety sub-committees including

• Chemicals and Carcinogen Committee
• Emergency Planning Committee
• Institutional Biosafety Committee
• Radiation Safety Committee
• Ventilation Committee

17. Breach of conduct or discipline

Any misuses or interference with safety equipment or measures put in place to protect the safety and health of staff, students and others will not be tolerated, and those identified as misusing or interfering with safety equipment or measures will be dealt with as a breach of conduct or discipline

18. Additional information

The University Occupational Safety and Health policy
 
UWA Contractor Safety and Health policy

UWA Guidelines for Managers and Supervisors