Occupational Health and Safety

Welcome

Welcome to the Occupational Health and Safety Unit (OH&S).

The Occupational Health and Safety Unit has as its primary objective a commitment to provide quality in-house occupational health safety and risk consultancy services to the University of Western Sydney in a timely and cost effective manner.

The Occupational Health and Safety Unit is staffed by a multi disciplinary team of OH&S professionals who have many years of industry experience and who hold tertiary qualifications in OH&S, risk management, workers compensation and rehabilitation.

Our unit aims to assist management and staff to establish an atmosphere and culture within the University that will encourage every person to work in a safe manner and to care for the health and safety of other people and the environment. In these pages, we outline a range of concepts, principles, polices, plans and procedures that are a strategic response to the need for sound occupational risk management within the University, and formalises the University’s policy to make all line managers and staff accountable for OH&S.

Mission, Values, Advice and Information

Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Mission

To provide quality occupational health and safety risk management, workers compensation and rehabilitation services to the University so its prime aims of teaching, scholarship and research can be achieved in a cost effective and timely manner.

What Values can the Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Unit Add to the University's Core Business?

The unit will:

  • support and encourage management to formalise and integrate OH&S systems into other business activities and management systems
  • assist management and staff to become self reliant and confident in managing OH&S safety issues at the workplace
  • promote a problem solving approach rather than a bush-fire fighting approach.

What Specific Advice, Information and Assistance is Available From the Unit?

The following assistance and advice is available:

  • meeting legal compliance and interpretation of legislative requirements
  • understanding the scope and application of the University's OH&S policies, plans and procedures
  • assistance to develop, implement and monitor local OH&S management plans
  • OH&S, hazard and risk management principles
  • interpretation of workers compensation and rehabilitation entitlements
  • OH&S training course design, development and delivery
  • information regarding the employee assistance program
  • mechanisms and advice for resolving OH&S related issues and disputes
  • liaison with WorkCover Authority and other external agencies
  • ergonomic assessments
  • establishment of OH&S consultation arrangements
  • assistance with accident investigation
  • advocacy
  • evaluation of OH&S performance.

OH&S Policies and Procedures

The University of Western Sydney is a complex organisation that operates in an environment of increasing legislative compliance requirements for occupational health and safety and rehabilitation.

In New South Wales, Occupational Health and Safety is regulated under two important pieces of legislation: the NSW Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000, and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001.

Penalties for non-compliance with this legislation can be very severe and can include the imposition of monetary fines, prison sentences and/or the imposition of penalty notices. The penalties vary in their severity and have in the past been imposed on both the employer and employees.

At the heart of the legislation is the fundamental requirement that the employer must take reasonable care of an employee and that 'due diligence' should be exercised in carrying out this obligation.

Due diligence requires that an employer take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect the health, safety and welfare of all who work in, are contracted to and visit the employer.

In practice this requires every person who is involved in the management of a business (in the case of UWS the Board of Trustees, Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Deans, Heads of School, managers and supervisors) understanding and complying with their legal obligations as set out in the legislation.

This means that individual managers can be held legally accountable for the design, development, implementation and monitoring of a properly functioning and documented health and safety management system that is commensurate with the level of occupational risks posed by the work that is under their control.

An important component of the University’s health and safety management system is the provision of OH&S policy, procedures and guidelines.

The University expects all employees to be pro-active in the implementation of its OH&S policy, procedures and guidelines so that unnecessary legal, financial and personal costs can be avoided.

OH&S Information Index

An important component of the University's health and safety management system is the provision of OH&S information, policy, procedures and guidelines.

The University expects all employees to be pro-active in the implementation of its OH&S policy, procedures and guidelines so that unnecessary legal, financial and personal costs can be avoided.

For OH&S documentation, please see Index to OH&S Information.

OH&S Online Training Modules

All UWS Staff are required to complete the OH&S Online Training Modules which are accessed via Staff Online. The modules are as follows:

  • Module 1 - OHS Orientation
  • Module 2 - Risk Management
  • Module 3 - Office Safety
  • Module 4 - Manual Handling

Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program provides professional advice, direction and support to staff on a wide range of issues.

First Aid Supplies

Wall-mounted First Aid Kits are located in convenient places throughout the University. A sticker detailing the complete list of contents for the standard kit (opens in a new window) should be located on each kit. It is the responsibility of designated First Aid Officers to regularly ensure the kit is fully stocked.

Any occasion which requires the use of First Aid Supplies should be accompanied by a completed Incident/Hazard Notification Form (opens in a new window) submitted to OHS, as well as a request for restock of depleted/used items.

To order replacement First Aid Supplies, simply complete this e-form (opens in a new window) and they will be dispatched to you through the internal mail.

Influenza (the Flu)

1. Vaccination Program

  • UWS undertakes annual Influenza vaccination programs available to Staff who wish to participate. These programs are advertised during the year and information will be made available on this page.

  2.  Avian Influenza

  3.  Swine Flu

OH&S News

For the latest OH&S media releases, please see the WorkCover NSW website.

Occupational Health and Safety Forms

Please see the OH&S forms below.

For more information, please see Rehabilitation and Workers Compensation.

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