Applies to: University-wide
Approved by: Swinburne Executive Group
Section 1:
Swinburne Occupational Health and Safety Committee (SOHSC)
1.1 Procedural
Matters
1.1.1 The committees
are established by the University in accordance with statutory
obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic),
1.1.2 At
a minimum, the committees will;
-
encourage communication across each campus to enhance safety,
-
monitor performance in occupational health and safety,
-
assist University management to comply with all relevant legislation,
regulations and applicable standards,
-
advise the University Executive via the Vice-President (Student & Corporate
Services) of University-wide policy initiatives resulting from its
deliberations.
The Committee
is to meet, at minimum, quarterly. A meeting may be called at
any time at the request of half the committee.
1.2 Terms of
Reference of SOHSC
1.2.1 Promote
a culture of responsibility and accountability for occupational
health and safety at a campus, organisational unit and employee
level.
1.2.2 Formulate
and review standards, rules and procedures relating to health and
safety and provide appropriate advice to the University Executive
Group via the Vice President (Student & Corporate Services).
1.2.3 Disseminate
across the campus standards, rules and procedures relating to health
and safety. In doing so the committee will ensure that the
information is provided in appropriate community languages.
1.2.4 Support
the implementation of OH&S policies, procedures and monitoring
mechanisms at the campus, organisational unit and employee level.
1.2.5 Facilitate
cooperation between the University and its employees in developing
measures to improve the health and safety of employees at the local
level and to reduce occupational incidents and injury, and related
costs. Encourage positive progress reports, feedback, and
promote health and safety.
1.2.6 In
consultation with the wider University community, develop, review and
recommend to the Vice President (Student & Corporate Services)for
instigation, risk management policies and procedures.
1.2.7 Develop
and review preventative and proactive strategies to promote risk
management, WorkCover performance and
other matters related to the OHS environment.
1.2.8 Provide
a mechanism for and assist in OH&S consultation across the campus
community.
1.2.9 In
consultation with the wider campus community, assist the
implementation of risk management policies and procedures.
1.2.10 Recommend
changes to OHS policies and procedures to apply across the
University, to the Vice-President, Resources for management
consideration.
1.2.11 Monitor
campus performance and compliance with occupational health and safety
legislation, standards, codes of practice and policies.
1.2.12 Receive
summaries of reports on incidents, injuries, hazards and Workcover performance
and identify any trends requiring attention.
1.3 Operating
Procedures
1.3.1 Follow University protocols
for committees.
1.3.2 Send
minutes of each Campus Committee meeting to the University
Occupational Health and Safety Consultant.
1.3.3 Meet
a minimum of 4 times a year. A meeting may be called at any
time at the request of half the committee. Minutes shall be
kept.
1.3.4 The
chairperson of the committee shall ensure that agendas of meetings
will be sent to the members of the committee for approval at least
one week prior to the committee meeting.
1.3.5 The
chairperson of the committee shall ensure that minutes of the meeting
are sent to all members within two weeks of the meeting.
1.3.6 By
resolution of a meeting the Chairperson shall report to the
Vice-President (Student & Corporate Services) issues or
recommendations affecting the University as a whole.
1.3.7 The
chairperson of a campus committee shall be chosen from the management
representatives on the committee. The chairperson shall provide
secretarial support to the committee as required.
1.3.8 Management
representatives can endorse expenditure within financial delegations,
from their own management unit.
1.3.9 All
properly elected Health and Safety Representatives on a campus are
members of their campus committee. If they are unavailable for
a meeting they may be represented by their deputy (if applicable).
1.3.10 A
student representative may attend a meeting(s) of a Campus Committee
as a visitor at the invitation of the Committee.
1.3.11 At
least half of the members of each committee shall be non-management,
employee representatives.
1.3.12 The
University OHS Consultant will be an ex-officio member of each
committee to provide support and advice as required.
