Overview

Scope

This Policy applies to staff and students, contractors, visitors of Macquarie University and its Controlled Entities.

Policy

Macquarie University is committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of its employees, students, contractors and visitors by increasing awareness of workplace safety,  providing a safe workplace, eliminating or reducing hazards that could result in injury or ill health, and implementing initiatives aimed at improving employee and student welfare.

Therefore, Macquarie University will:

• comply with all OHS legislation and relevant Australian and international standards

• provide appropriate OHS training, instruction and supervision for all staff and students
• provide training to First Aid Officers on an as-needs basis 
• maintain Emergency Wardens to assist in any situation requiring evacuation of staff, students and visitors

• maintain safe systems of work and a safe and healthy work and study environment
• ensure the safety of employees who use, store, handle or transport plant or substances
• provide, monitor and maintain safe systems for the use, handling, storage and transportation of plant, equipment and substances
• forbid the possession, carriage or use of a prohibited weapon on campus
• appoint First Aid Officers and Emergency Wardens
• provide first aid services, including resources, trained officers, and a first aid allowance in accordance with the Macquarie University Enterprise Agreement
• undertake risk management activities to identify, eliminate and/or manage hazards in the work place (including at least one emergency building evacuation per calendar year)
• implement a health management program for all employees who may be exposed to health risks in the course of their employment
• provide access to vaccinations/immunisations for employees and students who may be exposed to infectious and/or vaccine preventable disease
• provide adequate resources, including finances, to facilitate the University’s OHS responsibilities
• implement a system of record-keeping as required by OHS legislation and standards

• establish an OHS Committee and provide for the manner in which the Committee is to be constituted and operated
• establish a direct line of reporting for all OHS issues
• communicate with staff about the duty to provide a safe workplace
• identify and raise awareness of workplace health issues
• ensure that employees are aware of their OHS responsibilities
• consult with employees to enhance the effectiveness of OHS management systems

• undertake regular audits (internal and external) to confirm the effectiveness of OHS at the University
• conduct OHS audits across the workplace as required
• undertake and report on two workplace inspections per area per calendar year

Occupational Health and Safety Act (NSW) 2000
Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001
Vice-Chancellor’s OHS Policy Statement
Macquarie University Enterprise Agreement

Occupational Health and Safety Policy approved 1 July 2009