COFA adopts the organisational structure for the management of OH&S as outlined in UNSW OHS
Responsibilty, Authority and Accountability Procedure
The Dean exercises a “management function“ on behalf of the University and in so doing carry out many of the duties of an “employer” as defined in section 8 and 10 of the NSW Occupational Health and Safety Act (2000). The Dean is responsible for
Ensuring that Heads of Schools, Research Centres and Divisional Units are held accountable for the occupational health and safety performance of their School/Centre or Divisional Unit respectively and that resources are provided for achieving UNSW OHS policies and standards.
The University’s policy in the allocation of resources gives high priority to items with significant occupational health and safety implications.
Ensuring that Faculty/Divisional OHS Program Committees are established, operational and regularly reporting on OHS matters to the Executive and the University OHS Policy and Strategic Planning Committee.
Head's of School shall ensure all activities undertaken within COFA meet the University's
obligations for OH&S in the workplace. In particular, the Head of School shall ensure all
supervisors, staff, students, contractors and visitors are aware of their respective
responsibilities and accountabilities in OH&S.
The Head of School must:
Ensure the risks associated with the activities of the School are identified and assessed by the supervisor responsible and to determine that activities are conducted in a safe and healthy manner
Arrange for staff and students to receive the appropriate information, instruction and training and the necessary supervision to perform their work or studies safely
Make financial provisions for safety equipment and materials and determine that the maintenance of OHS standards is adequate relative to the level of assessed risk
Ensure the OHS implications of new work being planned or new equipment being purchased are fully assessed and taken into account in project funding allocation
Put systems in place to ensure that OHS rules and procedures are developed, documented and issued to staff, students, visitors and contractors to safeguard their health and safety
Encourage staff involvement in resolving OHS issues through the COFA OHS Committee and consider the OHS Committee's recommendations to improve health and safety
The Faculty OHS Coordinator will advise the Dean and the COFA OHS Committee on all occupational health and safety matters, procedures, guidelines and their implementation. The Faculty OHS Coordinator is charged with:
Checking the adequacy of risk assessments and fieldwork plans
Organising training and induction courses for staff and students
Informing both staff and student representatives of current OHS issues through the OHS committee
Co-ordination of the COFA OH&S website
Faculty OHS Coordinator shall maintain all COFA OH&S Records and Documentation, including:
Supervisors have a particular responsibility to the Dean to ensure that the work for which they are responsible is carried out in ways which safeguard the occupational health and safety of the staff or students in their charge and of visitors and contractors.
Actively practice and develop in their staff and students positive attitudes towards occupational health and safety matters.
Ensure that staff, students and contractor safe working practices are developed, reviewed and maintained at all times.
Arrange for staff and students to be instructed in safe and healthy working procedures, warned about particular hazards, and advised how to avoid, eliminate or minimise them.
Ensure that good housekeeping standards are developed and maintained at all times in the work environment.
Ensure that all staff and students under their supervision use the safety equipment, personal protective clothing provided in a correct manner, and that contractors bring the required equipment.
Ensure that all accidents, incidents and near misses are reported internally and investigated and subsequently externally reported, if required, using the forms provided.
Determine that the first aid and emergency equipment provided is adequate and properly maintained, and that training and practice in local emergency procedures is adequate for staff and students.
Ensure that all equipment purchased by the Unit is assessed, tested and tagged in accordance with statutory requirements.
Ensure risk assessments are written for all Research Projects, Classes, Fieldwork and use of Plant and Equipment.
Copies of approved risk assessments are to be made available to all those subjected to the hazards for which the risk assessment was done.
Ensuring Standard operating procedures are to be displayed with all plant and equipment the use
of which involves a risk of injury.
Ensuring a database hazardous substances is maintained and that there are Material Safety Data Sheets for all hazardous substances used and the information is available for all personnel.
Ensuring hazardous substances are stored correctly.
Ensuring all hazardous substances are labelled correctly, especially decanted liquids.
Hazardous Waste is be disposed of correctly.
As with supervisors, this term covers a range of occupations. It can include university employees, persons employed on research grants and visiting staff and postgraduate students and when employed to perform work such as teaching or assistance with research.
Each member of staff is responsible for ensuring that his or her own work environment is conducive to good occupational health and safety practice by:
Complying with all legislation and all UNSW and COFAOHS policies, procedures and instructions
Taking all action to avoid, eliminate or minimise hazards
Making proper use of all safety devices and personal protective equipment
Not wilfully placing at risk the health and safety of any person at the workplace by their acts or omissions
Seeking information or advice regarding hazards and procedures, where necessary, before carrying out new or unfamiliar work
Being familiar with emergency and evacuation procedures, location of first aid kits, personnel and emergency equipment, and if appropriately trained, using the emergency equipment
Complying with all legislation and all UNSW and COFA OHS policies, procedures and instructions
Taking all action to avoid, eliminate or minimise hazards
Making proper use of all safety devices and personal protective equipment
Not wilfully placing at risk the health and safety of any person at the workplace by their acts or omissions
Seeking information or advice regarding hazards and procedures, where necessary, before carrying out new or unfamiliar work
Being familiar with emergency and evacuation procedures, location of first aid kits, personnel and emergency equipment, and if appropriately trained, using the emergency equipment
Principal contractors and their sub contractors, whether engaged by Facilities, COFA or a division of COFA, must comply with all legislation and University OH&S policies and requirements. In addition, contractors must communicate their intentions to workshop/studio supervisors before proceeding with any work, maintenance or repairs within these areas.
Contractors are responsible for:
Identifying and assessing potential health and safety risks associated with the work they are going to perform and providing a Site Safety Plan or a Safe Work Method statement, depending on the project size.
Obtaining permits to work from the relevant UNSW representative before commencing any hazardous work
Ensuring that all equipment used on site has been tested and tagged according to statutory and code requirements
Training their contract employees in safe work methods and providing copies of training records to the relevant UNSW representative
Undertaking regular site safety inspections to ensure that any emerging risks to health and safety are being managed
Communicating with all relevant parties, before commencing work, where the work may adversely impact on the health and safety of the COFA community
Investigating and reporting any hazards or accidents promptly to the relevant UNSW representative and to WorkCover where required by statute
Using the personal protective equipment and protective devices, signage and barricading required by statute
Visitors are responsible for cooperating with UNSW and COFA requirements, not interfering with any aspects of the UNSW or COFA OH&S management system, and following instructions from COFA personnel when so directed.