SAFETY POLICY
Work Health and Safety (WHS) Policy
Name of Policy WHS POLICY
Policy Applies to This policy applies to all Workers, Contractors, Sub- Contractors and Volunteers.
Policy Status Endorsed by the JCC on 08 June 2023
Approval General Manager
Responsible Human Resource Manager and Coordinator WHS
Approval Date 08 June 2023
Effective Date October 2012 Date of Last Revision 08 June 2023 Date of Next Revision 08 June 2026
Related Policies, Procedure
Consultation Procedure
Hazard Identification SWMS and Risk Management Procedure
Work Health and Safety Management System (WHSMS) WHS Responsibilities and Accountabilities Procedure WHS Management Plans
WHS Strategic Plan
WHS Act 2011 & WHS Regulation 2017 ISO 45001 2018 Occupational Health & Safety
Management Systems – Requirement with Guidance For Use
Consultation
This Policy has been developed in consultation with the Manager HR & Wellbeing, Senior Coordinator WHS and the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC).
Risk / Compliance Control
The Policy will be placed on all WHS notice boards, on the WHS Portal and the internet.
Any changes to the policy will be communicated through the JCC “The Voice.”
Version Control attached for relevant changes.
1. Policy Purpose
1.1 At The Hills Shire Council (THSC) the safety of our Workers, Contractors, Sub-Contractors, Volunteers, Customers and the communities in which we serve is our priority.
2. Definitions 2.1 JCC
2.1.1 THSC’s Workers consultative committee for the purpose of the NSW Local Government (State) Award and THSC’s WHS committee for workplace health &
safety.
2.2 Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU)
2.2.1 Is an umbrella concept which intends to capture all types of working arrangements or relationships. A PCBU includes a company, unincorporated body or association, sole trader or self-employed person. Individuals who are in a partnership that is conducting a business will individually and collectively be a PCBU.
2.3 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
2.3.1 This is equipment worn by individuals to protect them from possible exposure to a certain risk that cannot otherwise be controlled.
2.4 Risk Assessment (RA)
2.4.1 This is the overall process of risk analysis & risk evaluation. It provides an objective measure and allows hazards to be compared and evaluated.
2.5 Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)
2.5.1 A documented, agreed safe work practices that are communicated to all members of a work group prior to undertaking a specific task or operating specific plant, equipment or high-risk work.
2.6 Worker
2.6.1 A person is a Worker if the person carries out work in any capacity for a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) including work as an employee, a Contractor/subcontractor, an employee of a labour hire company who has been assigned to work in the person’s business or undertaking, an outworker, an apprentice or trainee, a student gaining work experience, a volunteer.
3. Objectives
3.1 To provide a safe & healthy work environment and to continuously improve WHS performance in accordance with the WHS Act 2011, WHS Regulation 2017, Code of Practices, guidance materials & Australian Standards.
4. Responsibilities 4.1 General Manager
4.1.1 Take action to prevent injury or illness for Workers and manage the risks of injury or illness to other persons that are affected by THSC.
4.1.2 Monitor the implementation of the WHSMS & the WHS Strategic Plan through the JCC and Senior Coordinator WHS.
4.1.3 Review reports from the Senior Coordinator WHS and take action where required.
4.1.4 Endorse decisions and provide budget to implement actions to protect the WHS of the whole or a substantial part of THSC.
4.1.5 Acquire and keep up-to-date knowledge of work health and safety matters.
4.2 Group Managers
4.2.1 Take action to prevent injury or illness for Workers and manage the risks of injury or illness to other persons that are affected by THSC.
4.2.2 Lead the implementation of this Policy.
4.2.3 Monitor that there is adequate supervision of Workers, Contractors including Sub- Contractors and Volunteers under their responsibility.
4.2.4 Acquire and keep up-to-date knowledge of WHS matters.
4.2.5 Understand the nature of THSC’s operations & the associated hazards and risks.
4.2.6 Approve appropriate resources and processes to identify hazards, eliminate or minimise risks and achieve WHS compliance.
4.2.7 Endorse decisions and provide budget to implement actions to protect the WHS of the whole or a substantial part of THSC.
4.3 Managers/Coordinators
4.3.1 Implement this Policy & relevant WHS Management Plan in the area of their responsibility.
4.3.2 Take action to correct any unsafe behaviour as soon as possible.
4.3.3 Maintain the workplace including plant/equipment and chemicals in a condition that it is safe and without risks to health.
4.3.4 Provide appropriate, safe access to and from the workplace for all workers and customers.
4.3.5 Assist with the development and implementation of Safety Procedures and SWMS.
4.3.7 Provide information, instruction, training and supervision that is reasonably necessary to ensure that each Worker is safe from injury and risks to health.
4.3.8 Consult with and collaborate with Workers in relation to all WHS matters in the workplace.
4.3.9 Include WHS as the first agenda item of all team meetings.
4.4 Workers
4.4.1 Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
4.4.2 Report all incidents and hazards to the WHS Team and their Manager/Coordinator within 24 hours.
4.4.3 Immediately control any hazards identified in consultation with stakeholders.
4.4.4 Comply with all reasonable instructions, Safety Procedures, RA’s and SWMS.
4.4.5 Use PPE if the equipment is provided and ensure that it is properly used.
4.4.6 Not wilfully or recklessly interfere with/or misuse anything provided for workplace health and safety at the workplace.
4.4.7 Participate where required in WHS. E.g. Toolbox Talks, Team Meetings, Safety Walk and Talks (SWAT’s), SPOT checks, induction, orientation, incident investigations, the review of WHS documentation such as SWMS and RA’s.
4.5 Contractors – For further information refer to the Contractor Manager Procedure
4.5.1 Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
4.5.2 Provide their Workers and Sub-Contractors with a safe place to work including safe plant and systems and that their Workers use the necessary safety equipment required to perform the work.
4.5.3 Provide their Workers and Sub-Contractors with reasonable instructions, training, Safety Procedures, RA’s, SWMS and supervision.
4.5.4 Monitor their Workers and Sub-Contractors complies with legislative requirements, THSC’s instructions and Safety Procedures.
4.5.5 Use PPE if the equipment is provided and ensure that it is properly used.
4.5.6 Not wilfully or recklessly interfere with/or misuse anything provided for workplace health and safety at the workplace.
4.5.7 Report all incidents and hazards to the Contractor Project Manager within 24 hours.
4.5.8 Participate where required in THSC’s WHS. E.g. Toolbox Talks, Meetings, Induction, SPOT Checks and ensure that any non-conformances/WHS breaches are rectified
4.6 Contractor Project Managers/THSC Representatives
4.6.1 Monitor that there is adequate supervision of their Contractors including Sub- Contractors.
4.6.2 Correct any unsafe behaviour as soon as possible.
4.6.3 Report all incidents using the online incident report from within 24 hours and any unsafe behaviour to the WHS Team immediately so appropriate action can be taken.
4.6.4 Maintain the workplace in a condition that it is safe without risks to health.
4.6.5 Consult and co-operate with Contractors/Sub-contractors in all matters relating to WHS in the workplace.
4.6.6 Include WHS as the first agenda item of all meetings.
4.7 Volunteers
4.7.1 Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
4.7.2 Report all incidents and hazards to the Volunteer Coordinator.
4.7.3 Comply with all reasonable instructions, Safety Procedures, RA’s and SWMS.
4.7.4 Use PPE if the equipment is provided and ensure that it is properly used.
4.7.5 Not wilfully or recklessly interfere with/or misuse anything provided for workplace health and safety at the workplace.
4.8 Volunteer Coordinators
4.8.1 Monitor that there is adequate supervision of their Volunteers.
4.8.2 Correct & report any unsafe behaviour as soon as possible.
4.8.3 Report all incidents using the online incident report from within 24 hours.
4.8.4 Maintain the workplace in a condition that it is safe without risks to health.
4.8.5 Consult & cooperate with Volunteers in all matters relating to WHS in the workplace.
4.8.6 Include WHS as the first agenda item of all team meetings.
4.9 Human Resources Manager, Coordinator WHS in consultation with the WHS Officer 4.9.1 Monitor the implementation of this policy through the WHSMS in consultation with
the General Manager, Group Managers, JCC and Workers.
4.9.2 Monitor the implementation of WHS consultation, coordination and cooperation to ensure that it is practiced throughout THSC’s workplaces.
4.9.3 Develop, promote and implement the WHSMS and educate Workers in understanding and following the WHSMS.
4.9.4 To reduce incidents and injuries, eliminate identified hazards and where elimination of a hazard is not possible, controlling the hazard so far as reasonably practicable so that the risk is reduced in consultation with key stakeholders.
4.10 JCC
4.10.1 Meet regularly to discuss WHS as a top priority, consult with work groups, agree on solutions that will improve the health and safety of the workplace and communicate changes with work groups.
4.10.2 Participate in and attend SPOT Checks in consultation with the WHS Officer and report their findings to the rest of the Committee.
4.10.3 Assist in the review of the WHSMS, provide feedback and recommendations and promote WHS events.
5. Policy
5.1 The Hills Shire Council is committed to:
5.1.1 Ensuring that this WHS Policy is appropriate to the nature and scale of THSC’s risks.
5.1.2 Measurable objectives and targets to ensure continuous improvement aimed at the elimination of work related injuries and illness.
5.1.3 Complying with the WHS Act 2011 & WHS Regulation 2017, relevant Australian Standards, Codes of Practices, Guidance Materials & any other requirements placed upon THSC.
5.1.4 Documenting, implementing, maintaining & communicating the WHS Policy & all relevant and associated WHS documents to all Workers including Contractors, Sub- Contractors and Volunteers.
5.1.5 Ensuring that the WHS Policy is made available to all interested parties including Contractors, Sub-Contractors and Volunteers.
5.1.6 Ensuring that hazards are eliminated through the reduction of WHS risks by using and following the Hierarchy of Controls – (Elimination, Substitution, Engineering, Administrative & PPE.)
5.1.7 Ensuring that the WHS Policy is reviewed periodically to ensure that it remains relevant and appropriate to THSC.
5.2 THSC aims to meet its commitments by:
5.2.1 Undertaking and maintaining a proactive injury management/WHSMS to ensure safety performance is recognised, safety initiatives valued, identified improvements actioned and a positive Safety Culture promoted.
5.2.2 Regularly monitoring/reviewing progress towards reducing Lost Time Injuries.
5.2.3 Providing and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment including plant, equipment, structures, facilities and storage areas.
5.2.4 Identify Hazards, managing risk, investigating incidents and implementing immediate
5.2.5 Consulting & collaborating with all Workers including Contractors, Sub-Contractors, Volunteers & stakeholders on any safety issues/performance to develop standards &
risk solutions & incorporate them into safe systems of work.
5.2.6 Promoting Managers, Coordinators, Supervisors, Team Leaders, Workers to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and to ensure that their actions or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of others.
5.2.7 Providing instruction, information, training, resources and supervision so that our Workers can perform their tasks safely and Management/Coordinators can fulfil their legal obligations.
5.2.8 Setting measurable WHS objectives and targets that is communicated through each teams WHS Management Plans & the WHS Strategic Plan.
5.2.9 Providing support and assistance to injured Workers to ensure that appropriate and positive recovery at work strategies are implemented.
5.2.10 Providing resources to ensure appropriate measures can be implemented to ensure that the health and safety of Workers is not compromised.
Michael Edgar General Manager The Hills Shire Council DATE 08.06.2023
To ensure this policy remains relevant it shall be subject to periodical review as part of the Internal Audit and Management System Review process.
