University of Tasmania, Australia

Governance Level Principle - No. GLP6

1. Statement of Context

The achievement of the University's mission and vision requires that all reasonable steps are taken to protect the health and safety of its employees, students, contractors and visitors.

The University is committed to continuously improving the management and standards of occupational health and safety. As far as reasonably practicable, the University:

• provides and maintains a healthy and safe work environment within University premises; and
• establishes and maintains safe systems of work when prescribed activities are undertaken away from the University.

The University recognises, encourages and supports each individual's contribution to the improvement of occupational health and safety through appropriate consultation, information, instruction, training and supervision.

2. Objectives

The objective of this principle is to improve occupational health and safety by:

• establishing high level priorities that ensure that occupational health and safety is an integral part of the management of the University; and
• describing roles, responsibilities and accountabilities.

3. Priorities

The University will:

• provide the leadership necessary to strengthen the organisation-wide safety culture;
• comply with all applicable legislation, regulations and statutory requirements relating to occupational health and safety. Specifically, it will meet its responsibilities under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 and the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations 1998; and
• encourage members of the University community to act towards each other in a safe manner and to report or rectify any unsafe conditions or acts that come to their attention.
• In addition to these priorities, there are a number of other priorities that are common to most individual Principles. These additional priorities are specified in the University Governance Principle and are not repeated in detail here.

They cover:

• supporting policies, plans and procedures;
• resourcing and implementation;
• training and awareness; and
• monitoring, review and ongoing development.

4. Implementation

The Vice-Chancellor has responsibility for the implementation of the Occupational Health and Safety Principle and the development and implementation of supporting policies, plans and procedures.

All employees, students, contractors and visitors are to undertake their University activities in ways that support this principle and related policies, plans and procedures. They are required to do all that is reasonably practical to ensure that their acts (or failures to act) do not create or increase a risk to the health and safety of themselves or others.

Council is responsible for over-viewing the performance of occupational health and safety.

Approved by Council on 8 April 2005
Reviewed Council June 2006 (Resolution no. 06/3/43)