Visitor Safety

Background

The range of non-employees who may be present on UWA grounds and to whom UWA owes a duty of care includes:

• Contractors (See UWA Contractor Policy)
• Students (See UWA Student Guide to Safety and Health)
• Visitors (general public, service providers )
• Trespassers

Legal Requirements

Under section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, UWA has a duty of care to avoid exposing employees, contractors, students and visitors to the workplace to an unnecessary risk of injury by establishing and providing a safe environment and systems of work.

Procedures

Areas identified as potential sources of risk to visitors at UWA include:

• Unauthorised entering of buildings (access to restricted areas). It is a UWA requirement that all visitors must attend the Reception counter in each building/department in the first instance. Visitors will then be escorted or given directions to their final destination.

It is also important that visitors are accounted for and are able to follow the correct procedures in relation to any emergency evacuations that may occur in the building.

• Personal safety on campus (security, emergency procedures). Public phones are available on campus in 18 locations. In an emergency call 1800 655 222 (free call) or 6488 2222 to the UWA Security Office, to report any personal safety issue.
• Campus environment (pathways, lighting, building or equipment hazards).

It is important that visitors to campus have access to hazards and incident reporting procedures in the event that an event occurs. As required, visitors should complete the appropriateUWA Hazard or Incident report form.

1. Safety and Health on 6488 3938 or safety@uwa.edu.au
2. UWA Security Office on 380 3020 or http://www.ofm.uwa.edu.au/secpark/secpark.htm
3. Visitors Information Centre on 6488 2447