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2. Statement on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Matters
The University has a broad OHS risk profile, including specific risks associated with laboratory operations, workshop operations, chemical storage, handling and use, and manual handling.
The University’s OHS Policy requires the University to take all reasonable precautions to provide and maintain, so far as is practicable, an environment that is safe and without risks to health for employees, students and visitors.
The OHS policy is supported by the University’s OHS Strategic Plan 2007-2010, which was developed in consultation with University staff. The Plan sets OHS goals toward four strategic objectives. Table one provides a summary of significant achievements during 2009 towards meeting those objectives.
TABLE 1. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY STRATEGIC PLAN SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS – 2009
ObjeCtive aChievement
1. Reduce the occurrence or re-occurrence of workplace injuries and illnesses.
1. 9.7% reduction in lost time injuries from 2008 2. 23.4% reduction in total claims from 2008 2. Continually improve
compliance with health and safety legislation and conformance to SafetyMAP.
1. Reduction in number of WorkSafe visits
2. Reduction in number of Improvement Notices issued by WorkSafe 3. Continued certification to SafetyMAP
4. Renewal of self insurance license 3. Improve health and safety
leadership and culture throughout the University.
1. Continued implementation of budgetary incentives for internal OHS audit compliance
2. Continued implementation of Executive Roles and Responsibilities training 4. Provide high quality,
consistent and practical health and safety information and advice to the University community.
1. Continued revision of the EHS Policies and Procedures 2. Publication of practical Safety Bulletins and Alerts 3. Publication of practical forms and templates
4. Continued development of networks of health and safety managers, advisers and coordinators.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (OHSMS)
The University’s OHSMS, encompassing the Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Manual, was subject to continuous review throughout 2009. New or revised procedures published in the EHS Manual during 2009 include:
1. EHS Management Plans, Objectives and Targets 2. Chemical Management
3. Regulated Plant
4. Lock Out, Tag Out and Isolation
5. Withdrawing Unsafe Plant and Equipment
6. EHS Management of Service Providers (Contractors) 7. EHS Workplace Inspection
8. Incident Reporting and Investigation 9. EHS Management System Review 10. Hot Work
11. Confined Spaces
ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY RESOURCES
During 2009, EHS advisory staff from the University’s central EHS Unit continued providing services to faculties and divisions for all EHS matters. Complementing the central EHS advisory service, additional faculty and division-based EHS managers were appointed in the Graduate School of Engineering, Melbourne School of Land and Environment, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science, Property and Campus Services and Library and Information Technology Services.
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TRAINING
Over 4,000 attendees undertook Health and Safety related training throughout 2009. Table two provides a summary of some of the training and the number of attendees for each type.
TABLE 2. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING PROVIDED: 2009
training COUrse tyPe nO. Of attendees 2009
Supervisor Roles and Responsibilities 460
Staff Roles and Responsibilities 898
Manual Handling and Ergonomics 781
Risk Management 284
Chemical Safety 168
Material Safety Data Sheet Database 18
Personal Protective Equipment 196
Radiation Safety 63
Compressed Gas Safety 133
Health & Wellbeing, Change Management and Psychosocial 541
Emergency Management 279
First Aid 322
Health and Safety Representative 9
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
The University’s emergency preparedness and response procedures are overseen and monitored by the Crisis and Emergency Planning Group (CEPG), chaired by the Head of University Services. The CEPG met on three occasions during 2009.
The University continued its ongoing commitment and resourcing for both campus-wide and local building emergency plans in accordance with AS3745 Emergency Control Organization and Procedures for Buildings, Structures and Workplaces. In addition, bushfire response plans have been developed for the University’s rural campuses, Dookie and Creswick.
At least one evacuation drill for each building occupied or controlled by the University was conducted during 2009.
Following all emergency exercises, a review of the effectiveness of the procedures is conducted, and action plans are developed to address any deficiencies identified.
RADIATION MANAGEMENT
During 2009 the University’s Radiation Safety Committee continued to meet. Two primary objectives were set for 2009:
1. Centralised approach to purchasing and receiving radioactive isotopes to provide improved tracking and monitoring, required by the University’s radiation management licence.
2. Internal certification of laboratories where ionising or non-ionising radiation is used, to confirm they meet the relevant safety and licensing requirements for the work undertaken. The certification process includes review of access restrictions and signage, monitoring, storage, training and emergency procedures.
Throughout 2009, substantial progress was made towards achieving both objectives.
During 2009, the University commissioned a new radiation store designed to meet the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency’s requirements for class 3 containment of radionuclides. The store provides a safe and secure storage environment for radionuclides.
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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE AND PROGRAMS
The University’s Occupational Health Service coordinates and implements the University’s health monitoring and vaccination programs. These include regulatory health surveillance programs and vaccination programs to support the University’s compliance obligations, and voluntary vaccination programs to reduce the incidence of staff illness.
During 2009, over 2,690 staff received services from the Occupational Health Service. Table 3 provides a summary of the services provided between 2007 and 2009.
TABLE 3. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SERVICE – SERVICES PROVIDED: 2007-2009
serviCe PrOvided 2007 2008 2009
Influenza Vaccinations 1,888 2,212 2,987
Q Fever Vaccinations 152 196 133
Pathologies and Biological Screening 461 453 222
Other Vaccinations (Hepatitis A, B, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Typhoid, Rabies, Measles/Mumps/Rubella)
311 339 179
Audiometry 151 165 153
Spirometry 328 258 394
WORKERS COMPENSATION AND INJURY MANAGEMENT
An early intervention approach by the University has ensured that return-to-work plans were developed for all
compensable injuries under the workers compensation self-insurance licence during 2009. The University also continued to assist staff with non-compensable injuries and other health related conditions, achieving successful return to work outcomes.
SELF-INSURANCE LICENCE
Following the commencement of the renewal process in October 2008, the University was advised of the successful renewal of the self-insurance licence for a four-year period, until 30 September 2013.
REGULATORY ACTIVITY
The University continued to work cooperatively with OHS regulators. WorkSafe Victoria was the most active OHS regulator at the University during 2009. Table four provides a summary of WorkSafe activity at the University.
TABLE 4. WORKSAFE VICTORIA ACTIVITY: 2009
aCtiOn 2009
Visits to the University’s Workplaces by WorkSafe 10
Occupational Health and Safety Convictions Nil
Prohibition Notices issued by WorkSafe Nil
Improvement Notices issued by WorkSafe 1
WorkSafe Intervention Projects 1
IMPROVEMENT NOTICES
Only one improvement notice was issued in 2009. The notice related to inadequate safe operating procedure for operation of mobile plant in an area shared with pedestrians. The notice was complied with during 2009.
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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PERFORMANCE
As a component of the objective of providing a safer work environment, OHS performance reports are provided to Deans and Executive Directors annually to assist managers in identifying problem areas, resource requirements and training needs in their workplace.
Table five sets out the indicators the University uses to monitor OHS performance. All significant incidents are reviewed in detail and, where appropriate, action plans are put in place to minimise the risk of re-occurrence.
TABLE 5. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY INCIDENT STATISTICS: 2004-2009.
PerfOrmanCe indiCatOr 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Reported Incidents (including Injury and
Illness)
922 1,066 1,063 1,174 1,094 1,034
Number of WorkCover Claims 130 135 110 120 111 85
Number of Lost Time Incidents 52 44 26 34 31 28
Days Lost due to Reported Injuries 947 829 800 814 749 567
Work Related Fatalities Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil
INCIDENTS REQUIRING NOTIFICATION TO WORKSAFE
The University reported two dangerous occurrences, 11 serious injuries and one death at a workplace to WorkSafe Victoria in accordance with the incident notification requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic). Table six provides a summary of events that required notification to WorkSafe at the University during 2009.
TABLE 6. NOTIFICATIONS TO WORKSAFE 2009
tyPe event nUmber
Dangerous Occurrence Uncontrolled fall or release from height of any plant, substance or object 1
Dangerous Occurrence Uncontrolled implosion, explosion or fire 1
Serious Injury or Illness Immediate medical treatment resulting from a laceration 6 Serious Injury or Illness Immediate medical treatment resulting from temporary loss of bodily
function
1
Serious Injury or Illness Admission as an inpatient in a hospital 1
Serious Injury or Illness Medical treatment within 48 hours of exposure (or potential exposure) to a substance
3
Death at a Workplace Non-work related fatalities 1
Each of the work-related incidents has been investigated, and corrective and preventative actions have been instigated to prevent or reduce the risk of reoccurrence.
External Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) Audits Conformance of the University’s OHSMS to Initial Level SafetyMAP (4th edition) is one of the requirements of the University’s Workers Compensation Self- Insurance License, which is regulated by WorkSafe Victoria. During 2009, the University’s appointed external auditors conducted two scheduled nine-monthly external surveillance audits.
The scope of the first audit undertaken in April included the management of the central OHSMS, three faculties/graduate schools, two administrative/service divisions and two auxiliary operations. There were 11 ‘non-conformances’ and three
‘requires correction’ findings issued during this audit.
The scope of the second audit undertaken in November/December, included the management of the central OHSMS, five faculties/graduate schools and two administrative/service divisions across seven campuses/locations. There were two
‘major non-conformances’ and one ‘minor non-conformance’ findings issued during this audit.
Auditees were required to develop action plans to address all adverse audit findings.
INTERNAL OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (OHSMS) AUDITS
A program of internal audits of the University’s OHSMS against the criteria of Initial Level SafetyMAP (fourth edition) continued throughout 2009. During 2009 over 850 criteria were audited across all academic and administrative divisions of the University and a number of its controlled entities. Overall the University achieved less than 0.2 per cent ‘non- conformance’ findings and 1.3 per cent ‘requires correction’ findings.
Auditees were required to develop action plans to address all adverse audit findings, and progress was monitored as part of the internal audit program.
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CONSULTATIVE FRAMEWORK Employees continue to be represented by elected and trained employee Health and Safety Representatives in designated workgroups across the University. There were approximately 65 elected employee Health and Safety Representatives holding office during 2009. Each faculty and division has an established Environment Health and Safety (EHS) Committee. Membership of these committees includes both employer and employee representatives. The employee representatives on faculty and division EHS Committees are generally elected Health and Safety Representatives.
Membership of the University-wide Occupational Health and Safety Committee (OHSC) consists of equal numbers employer and employee representatives. The employee representatives are elected from the pool of all employee Health and Safety Representatives at the University. One Health and Safety Representative was re-elected to the OHSC during 2009. The OHSC met three times during 2009, with minutes of the meetings published on the University’s EHS web site.
During 2009, a subcommittee of the OHSC undertook a comprehensive review of the OHSC’s terms of reference. Subsequently the OHSC agreed to revised terms of reference to improve the objectives, planning and function of the committee.