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A/9.1 Health and safety policy |
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9.1.1 Health and safety policy 9.1.1 Health and safety policyQUT as an employer is committed to providing a workplace which is as safe as is practicable in order to achieve its vision and goals. QUT management is accountable for managing the risks in partnership with the University's staff and students. Management includes QUT Council, the Vice-Chancellor, senior University Officers and managers, academic staff and supervisors who will consult with staff, students and others to achieve desired measurable outcomes within a continuous improvement framework. QUT will meet its legislative obligations and exceed them where feasible, using a risk management approach to include the provision of
Staff, students and others have an obligation to follow safe work practices, not to act in a manner so as to cause harm to people or property, to report hazards, and not to misuse anything provided in the interests of safety. The HR Health and Safety Advisory Services website provides procedural guidance on a range of matters to support the QUT health and safety policy. Information is updated when the sources are modified by external health and safety authorities. 9.1.2 Legislative frameworkUnder common law, employers have a duty of care to take all reasonable measures to protect their employees from foreseeable risks arising from their employment. This duty of care embraces provision of the following
The Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 and other Acts create a statutory obligation for relevant persons such as employers to ensure the health and safety of employees and other persons at work. The onus of proof of meeting this duty rests with the employer or, at QUT, those delegated as such. The burden of proof is 'on the balance of probability'. The major elements of the employer's obligations are to ensure a safe workplace for all through identifying hazards, assessing the risk, eliminating the risk or minimising the potential harmful consequences of the hazard. Employees also have an obligation under the Act to maintain healthy and safe workplace conduct. An employee or anyone else at a workplace has the following obligations under Section 36 of the Act
Persons other than an employer or employee, including students, visitors and contractors, must comply with the standards applying at the workplace and obey safety directions at that workplace. The Workplace Health and Safety Act defines and requires an employer to record and, in certain instances, notify the relevant government authority of injuries, illnesses and dangerous events at the workplace. Any serious or potentially serious matters should be immediately telephoned through to HR Health and Safety Advisory Services staff (07 3138 9271) or, if after hours, to Security (07 3138 5585) who will contact the Associate Director, HR Health and Safety Advisory Services. The Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 under the Workplace Health and Safety Act sets specific requirements with regard to systems of work, working environment, plant, equipment, substances and materials used in the workplace, and certification and training of employees. This regulation calls up a number of Australian Standards. Copies of the Act, Regulation and Codes of Practice are available on the internet ( http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/index.htm ) and selected Australian Standards are accessible through the QUT Library. Related DocumentsA/9.2 Health and safety management Modification History
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