1. RATIONALE
Camberwell Grammar School (School) recognises that the health and safety of people is integral to achieving a high standard in education and work performance. The School is committed to maintaining and improving occupational health and safety (OH&S), as is reasonably practicable, to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.
2. BODY OF POLICY
2.1. Policy Statement
The School works towards providing a learning environment and workplace that enables all activities to be carried out safely. It is committed to:
• reducing OH&S risks within the School;
• consulting with staff on health, safety and well-being issues;
• complying with all relevant health and safety legislation; and
• allocating adequate resources towards maintaining a healthy, safe, and supportive workplace
2.2. Application
Unless otherwise stated, this policy applies to School students, employees (hereinafter referred to as ‘staff’), volunteers, contractors, and visitors (including hirers of the School facilities)
2.3. Definitions
Word/s Definition Designated Working Group (DWG)
The DWG is a group of staff members who represent various locations across the School and are a point of contact for staff and students on OH&S matters, such as hazards, near misses, injuries and incidents.
Health and Safety Working Group (HSWG)
The Health and Safety Working Group is a forum for discussing issues in relation to OH&S. This Working Group does not override direct lines of communication between managers and staff. The focus of the Health and Safety Working Group is to:
• facilitate the development and implementation of measures and controls designed to ensure a safe and healthy working and learning environment throughout the School,
• monitor the School’s OH&S Management Framework and objectives, and continually seek opportunities for impr ovement,
• ensure new and updated compliance obligations are reflected in the OH&S Management System,
• in consultation with and after approval from the Executive, review and disseminate OH&S policies/procedures,
• investigate/resolve issues raised by the DWG,
• participate, where appropriate/required, in the resolution of safety issues,
• participate, where appropriate/required, in the review of injuries/incidents to assist in the resolution of root causes,
• actively monitor the School to determine the presence of hazards and take appropriate action to rectify any hazards.
Document Owner: Risk and Compliance Manager Last Approved: Jan 2021
Version: 5
Title: Occupational Health and Safety Policy
Reference Number: OHS-POL-001
Word/s Definition
Health and Safety Representative (HSR)
OH&S Noticeboards
Nominated staff who are trained by WorkSafe Victoria as HSRs to represent staff members in health and safety matters. The OH&S Act gives HSRs a role in raising and resolving any occupational health and safety (OH&S) issues with their employer and powers to enforce compliance with the OH&S Act and OHS Regulations.
OH&S Noticeboards are placed throughout the School in staffrooms and common areas, as well as on the Staff Portal and contain health and safety information including:
• OH&S Policy,
• OH&S hazard/issue and near miss reporting process,
• HSWG members,
• HSR contact information,
• HSWG meeting Agenda and Minutes,
• Emergency Management Contact Details,
• Emergency Action Plan,
• “If you are injured poster” provided by the School’s workers compensation insurer, and
• Employee Assistance Program flyer
Toolbox talks
Toolbox talks are a way of keeping staff informed of potential hazards, any safety and reporting procedures, as well as providing training.
Hazardous Manual Tasks
Hazardous manual tasks are tasks that require a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry, or otherwise move, hold or restrain any person, animal or thing that involves one or more of the following:
• repetitive movement
• repetitive or sustained force
• high or sudden force
• sustained or awkward postures
• exposure to vibration
Emergency Control Organisation (ECO)
The School has an Emergency Control Organisation (ECO). The ECO is a structured organisation of people employed within the School who take command at the point of declaration of an emergency, pending the arrival of emergency service.
It is a requirement that all Support Staff constitute the majority of the ECO and be trained to take control of emergency procedures in time of an emergency.
Each member of the ECO is designated a role and provided with the necessary training, equipment, and material to know what to do in the case of an emergency.
ECO roles include Floor Warden, Assembly Area Warden, Communications Officer, Chief Warden, Deputy Chief Warden, Contractor Liaison Officer, and Roll Call Liaison Officer.
Personal Emergency
A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) is an 'escape plan' for individuals who may not be able to reach an ultimate place of
2.4. Responsibilities
The School and its senior management are responsible for:
• providing adequate resources for implementing this policy,
• maintaining, so far as is reasonably practicable, a School that is safe and without risk to physical and mental health,
• providing adequate facilities for the welfare of all staff and students,
• providing information, training and supervision for staff, students, volunteers, and contractors, enabling them to work in a safe manner.
Staff, students, contractors, volunteers, and visitors are responsible for:
• fulfilling their duties, as reasonably practicable, by complying with the School safety procedures and directions,
• taking reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others affected by their actions,
• reporting incidents, near-misses and hazards to the Risk and Compliance Department, their nominated HSR or any staff member (for students and visitors)
Specific Obligations of Employees
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Victoria), employees must:
• Take reasonable care for their own health and safety in the workplace. They must also take reasonable care for the health and safety of others who may be affected by their actions.
• Cooperate with the School to comply with the OHS Act or Regulations. For example, use equipment properly, follow safe work policies and procedures and attend training.
• Not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything at the workplace designed to support health, safety, and welfare.
3. HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT
The School meets its commitment to health and safety by maintaining information in accordance with statutory requirements, compliance codes and standards. Content on health & safety is available on the School’s Staff Portal (DEEDS) and includes, but is not limited to, the following:
3.1. Consultation and Communication
Open communication is important to ensuring a safe workplace. The School provides many avenues for effective communication and collaboration including, but not limited to:
• DWG
• HSWG
• OH&S Noticeboards
• Toolbox talks
• HSRs
3.2. Contractor Management
Contractors working on School-owned sites need to:
• be registered and inducted in the School’s contractor management system,
• be suitably qualified and experienced to perform the tasks,
• be in possession of all necessary licenses, permits, registrations and insurances to perform the work safely and compliant with appropriate legislation,
• provide safe work method statements, job safety analysis and/or standard operating procedures relevant to the work to be undertaken,
• apply to the School, and receive permits from the School, for all high-risk construction work outlined in the OH&S Act.
3.3. OH&S Inductions
All new staff, are required to complete an appropriate induction, including an appr opriate review of the School’s OH&S Policy and an understanding of their safety responsibilities.
3.4. OH&S Training
The School is committed to providing appropriate training to ensure staff have the skills and knowledge necessary to fulfil their OH&S obligations. OH&S training is a fundamental requirement for the School to maintain a safe workplace. The OH&S training needs for the School are determined by legislation and in consultation with managers and staff.
3.5. Incident, Injury, Near-miss and Hazard Management
The School requires all incidents, injuries, near-misses and hazards to be reported to the Risk and Compliance Department using any of the following methods:
• Emailing ohs@cgs.vic.edu.au
• Using the QR code on the OH&S noticeboards
• Using the QR code on the first aid kits
• Completing the relevant form in DEEDS
• Reporting in person to the School’s OH&S Coordinator or Risk & Compliance Manager. The OH&S Coordinator is responsible for notifying WorkSafe of all injuries and incidents that fall within its notification requirements
3.6.
Return to Work
Should a staff member or volunteer suffer an injury or illness due to work conducted on behalf of the School, they are eligible to submit a Workcover claim.
The School has a dedicated Return to Work Coordinator who manages the process to ensure staff return to work as soon and as safely as possible.
3.7. Emergency Management
The ECO facilitates the safe and orderly implementation of the emergency procedures at School, including the evacuation of the occupants from buildings when appropriate.
The School conducts at least one emergency drill per term. In addition to this, an emergency drill is conducted each term for the School’s Pre-Preparatory Centre.
3.8. Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEP)
Where required, the School develops a PEEP for any staff member or student who has one or more of the following impairments:
• Mobility;
• Visual;
• Hearing;
• Cognitive; or
• Other circumstances.
The School recognises that a temporary PEEP may be required for:
• Short-term injuries (i.e broken leg);
• Temporary medical conditions; or
• Those in the later stages of pregnancy.
3.9. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The School provides PPE for those staff members whose work may exposure them to the risk of potential harm PPE may include masks, helmets, eye protection, ear protection, protective
Document Owner: Risk and Compliance Manager
Version: 5
Title: Occupational Health and Safety Policy
Reference Number: OHS-POL-001
clothing, and protective shoes. Manual handling equipment such as trolleys is also provided to staff, as required.
3.10. Audiometric Testing
In addition to PPE, the School provides periodic audiometric testing for staff whose work may expose them to excessive noise. Test results and examination reports are retained for as long as the staff member is employed by the School.
3.11.
Hazardous Manual Tasks
The School facilitates regular manual handling training, for staff who perform Hazardous Manual Tasks, to reduce the risk of an injury to the musculoskeletal system
3.12.
Ergonomic Assessments
The School conducts ergonomic assessments for new staff and/or current staff who request an assessment as and when required
3.13. First Aid and Infection Control
The School has two health centres; one located in Roystead and the other in Junior School. The health centre staff are responsible for providing first aid to individuals on-site (as required), administering medication to students, facilitating provision of first aid kits for sport, excursions, camps and trips and ensuring all first aid facilities, kits, auto emergency defibrillator (AED) and supplies are up to date.
3.14.
OH&S Checks
The School undergoes regular internal OH&S inspections to ensure hazards are identified, and OH&S requirements are maintained.
3.15. Mental Health
The School recognises the importance of mental health in the workplace and has measures in place to support staff and students including (but not limited to): an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a Wellness Committee and extensive Pastoral Care structures for students (Refer to the Student Welfare Policy for additional information)
3.16.
The Occupational Health and Safety Page on DEEDS provides reference and guidance material to assist staff in OH&S. This page can be found at https://deeds.cgs.vic.edu.au/homepage/6292/
RELATED DOCUMENTS
First Aid Policy
Administering Medication Policy
OH&S Inspection Forms
Student Welfare Policy
RELEVANT LEGISLATION
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic)
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic)
Accident Compensation Act 1985 (Vic)
Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (Vic)
Approver Staff Executive
Authoriser School Council