Health Safety and Wellbeing Policy

Overview

The University of Adelaide aims to create and engender a University culture that values health, safety and wellbeing as fundamental components of the work environment, supported by safe systems of work, appropriate governance, training, management structures and operational strategies.

Scope and Application

This policy applies to all persons who undertake University of Adelaide related activities and/or are employed or engaged by the University or affiliated with the University in any capacity as a worker or an officer as defined under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2012 (SA).

For the purpose of this Policy:

a) WHS refers to workplace health and safety in the context of the WHS Act 2012 (SA) and Regulations and more broadly in the context of safety legislation in Australia.

b) HSW is a University of Adelaide term that incorporates injury management (i.e. workers compensation and rehabilitation) under the wellbeing component of the HSW framework and systems.

Controlled Entities of the University are required to develop and implement WHS policies and processes which are relevant to the entity. Where appropriate, the processes of the University within the HSW Handbook may be adopted, providing the roles/responsibilities and how they are integrated with the University are defined. The Controlled Entity is responsible for ensuring implementation and compliance and meeting officer and worker responsibilities as defined within the WHS Legislation.

Policy Principles

1. The University aims to integrate HSW into mainstream management systems and align HSW activities with the University's mission, vision, values and strategic objectives.

2. The University aims to minimise the risk of injury and illness to its workers and other persons by adopting a planned and systematic approach to the management of HSW including the identification, assessment and control of hazards.

3. The University will monitor, measure, and evaluate HSW activities and performance, to ensure these are not only effective but are also continually improved.

4. The University will communicate and consult with workers and key stakeholders and encourage their contribution to the decision-making processes affecting the HSW of all persons at the University.

5. The University will utilise appropriate internal and/or external expertise when required in all HSW activities.

6. The University aims to have in place a Health and Safety Management framework and system which meets Commonwealth, State and any other relevant legislation; the Return to Work SA "Code of Conduct for Self-insured Employers"; and related University policies and procedures.

7. The University recognises that its employees are its most valuable resource and will ensure that should a work related injury occur, equitable claims management practices and effective rehabilitation services will be provided, with the aim of full recovery and a safe and sustainable return to work.

8. The University will identify and define responsibilities and accountabilities for all relevant workers and stakeholders in the HSW Handbook.

9. The consequences of non-compliance with this policy and HSW Handbook may be:

a) addressed through the University's disciplinary procedures;

b) subject to sanctions under the relevant legislation;

c) monitored through the University's legal compliance framework.

Authorities

Key	Authority Category	Authority	Delegation Holder	Limits
Human Resources	Health Safety and Wellbeing	To approve "Very High" residual risk activities, in accordance with the HSW Handbook.	Vice-Chancellor and President	Nil
Human Resources	Health Safety and Wellbeing	To approve "High" residual risk activities, in accordance with the HSW Handbook.	Heads of School/Branch	Nil
Human Resources	Health Safety and Wellbeing	To approve Faculty/Division/ School/Branch activities where required in the HSW Handbook.	Vice-Chancellor and President Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Presidents, Chief Operating Officer and Vice-President (Services and Resources), Executive Deans, Heads of School/Branch	Nil
Human Resources	Health Safety and Wellbeing	To approve policy amendments to titles, names or references that do not otherwise affect policy content; and guidelines, checklists, templates and forms.	Chief Operating Officer and Vice-President (Services & Resources)	Nil

Procedures & responsibilities

1. Adopting the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Processes

Responsibility: all workers identified within the scope of the HSW Policy, shall comply and co-operate with health, safety and wellbeing systems, procedures and processes in accordance with all relevant legislation and the HSW Handbook.

2. University Health, Safety and Wellbeing Responsibilities

In addition, the following have specific responsibilities as outlined below:

1	Person Conducting a Business Undertaking (PCBU)	Must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the health and safety of workers is not put at risk from the conduct of the business or undertaking in accordance with the WHS Legislation. Under the legislation: * the University is a PCBU; and * each Controlled Entity is a PCBU.
2.	Officers (In accordance with the WHS Act, 2012. See definitions.)	Must exercise due diligence to ensure that the duties of the PCBU are met. Each officer must take reasonable steps to: * acquire and maintain work health and safety knowledge relevant to their workplace; * understand the workplace's operations and associated hazards and risks; * ensure resources are available to eliminate or minimise health and safety risks; * ensure that there are appropriate processes for receiving and considering information about incidents, hazards and risks as well as respond to these in a timely way. Where an officer is responsible for a Controlled Entity, they must * monitor that the Controlled Entity is meeting legislative and RTWSA self-insurance requirements; and * take corrective action where gaps are identified in consultation with the Board of the Controlled Entity.
3	Vice-Chancellor and President	Has the responsibility for endorsing overarching HSW Strategies and Action plans within the University, and ensuring that plans are appropriately formulated, resourced, measured and monitored.
4	Audit, Compliance and Risk Committee	Identifies and monitors the exposure of the University to workplace health, safety and welfare risks in accordance with the Audit, Compliance and Risk Committee Charter and Terms of Reference.
5	Executive Deans and Divisional Heads	Must ensure that adequate resources are available to implement the HSW Policy and Handbook, monitor HSW performance and ensure corrective actions are taken to rectify any deficiencies.
6	Heads of School/Branch	Must ensure that HSW business processes are implemented and comply with the HSW Policy and Handbook in consultation with workers.
7	Associate Director, HR Compliance and Improvement Services	Manages the University's Health Safety and Wellbeing Management framework and system, including rehabilitation and workers compensation in accordance with the HSW Handbook.
8	Health and Safety Officers/Co-ordinators (if appointed)	Assist the Head of School/Branch with the administration of the HSW processes in accordance with the HSW Policy and Handbook.
9	University Health and Safety Committees	Operate in accordance with the Terms of Reference established for the UHSC and Division/Faculty Health and Safety Committees.

Definitions

Officer -

An officer is a person who makes decisions, or participates in making decisions that affect the whole or a substantial part of a business or undertaking and has the capacity to significantly affect the financial standing of the business or undertaking. If a person is responsible only for implementing those decisions, they are not considered an officer.

Worker (WHS Act 2012) -

A person is a worker if the person carries out work in any capacity for a person conducting a business or undertaking, including work as -

(a) an employee; or

(b) a contractor or subcontractor; or

(c) an employee of a contractor or subcontractor; or

(d) an employee of a labour hire company who has been assigned to work in the person's business or undertaking; or

(e) an outworker; or

(f) an apprentice or trainee; or

(g) a student gaining work experience; or

(h) a volunteer; or

(i) a person of a prescribed class.

The person conducting the business or undertaking is also a worker if the person is an individual who carries out work in that business or undertaking.

Please use the following URL instead of linking to individual documents:
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/153