Occupation Health & Safety (OH&S)
Overview
Aim of OH&S Act
The basic aim of the NSW OH&S Act 2000 No 40 is to provide a safe workplace for all.
General principles
- Identify hazards & hazardous jobs
- Prioritise hazards by severity & probability
- Assess the risks
- Eliminate, reduce or control the risk
- Periodic review of the OH&S efficacy
Employer's responsibility
To provide a safe workplace that complies with the OH&S act. To ensure that sub units are effectively managing OH&S risks. Large fines for non compliance.
[For those staff working in hospitals or with human tissue/material; the employer has to provide the required vaccinations and keep confidential records of those vaccinations. See "Vaccination Policies."]
Supervisor's responsibility
To consult with workgroup, identify hazards, assess risks and then eliminate, minimise or control the hazard. To provide any safety equipment required and ensure that safety procedures are followed. To provide supervision and training for staff/students in appropriate safety procedures. Fines and gaol for non compliance.
Employee's/student's responsibility
To assist in identifying hazards and risks. To cooperate with the OH&S policies, follow safety procedures and use safety [P.P.E.] equipment where required. Fines for non compliance.
Incident reports
All safety incidents, including "near misses" should be reported on-line through myHRonline. University employees can now login to myHRonline where there is an option to “Report Incident or Injury”. Please submit the incident report within 24 hours. Incidents involving students should be reported by the supervisor or School Office.
These reports help identify hazards and risks that may have not been addressed. When incidents occur at other institutions (e.g. hospitals) casualties should ALSO complete the incident report form from that institution. Serious injuries may require some other officer or supervisor to initiate the incident report.
Emergency procedures
Each building develops it's own unique emergency procedures by the occupants of that building. The chief warden should ensure that effective emergency procedures are in place. See the OHSIM site for further details.
Campus Infrastructure Services
Responsible for maintaining the University building fabric including sprinklers, emergency equipment, etc. Contact CIS for buildings and grounds repairs and service.
Current initiative
The major current initiative is to promote OH&S at all Clinical Schools, affiliated Area Health Services, Research groups - including remote sites. The OH&S Director hopes to visit all sites during 2009-10 to meet key stakeholders.
Contacts
Staff and students may come under different OH&S management, depending upon the site; e.g. University Campus or Hospital/Area Health Service.
- Zone 2 Occupational Health and Safety Committee [Sydney Medical School.]
For OH&S, safety, policies, incidents, first aid and Chem-Alert:OHSIM [OHS & Injury Management]
Level 3, Margaret Telfer Building, K07
Phone: 9351-4335
Fax: 9351-5868
Website: www.usyd.edu.au/ohs/
For risk management, insurance and workers compensation matters:
Audit and Risk Management
Room 300 Level 3
Margaret Telfer K07
Phone: 9351-4127
Fax: 9351-3596
Website: www.usyd.edu.au/audit_risk/
For building, infrastructure, emergency equipment and security matters:
Campus Property Services Helpdesk
Level 2, Services Building, G12
Phone: 9351-7838 (business hours)
Fax: 9351-6489
Website: e~Service Desk (requires your Unikey login)
Feedback:
Adel Mitry
Sydney Medical School OHS Director
Phone: 9351 6500
Fax: 9351 2058
Email: