University of Tasmania, Australia

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FAQ

UTAS Home › Human Resources › Work Health and Safety  › FAQ

Do I need any Work Health and Safety approval while travelling overseas for work?

You should review the Minimum Standard - Work Health and Safety Project and Task Risk Management (PDF 279.2KB) on the Work Health and Safety website before commencing travel.

All staff and student should review  International SOS  located on the Financial Services Website Travel Information (Travel Warnings/Advice) before commencing overseas travel

Who is my elected safety representative?

The University has a network of Health Safety Representatives (HSR) who are appointed to different areas of the University.  The following link will  take you to the Health Safety Representative page where you will find list of current members.

What is the speed limit on all UTAS campuses?

A person should drive all vehicles on University land at the speed limit indicated by signage or marking. On any other part of University land where a sign or marking is not indicated, the vehicle should not exceed the limit of 40 kilometres an hour.

Biosafety Frequently Asked Questions

 FOOTWEAR

Question: What is the safety requirement with regards to enclosed footwear?

In my current lab, staff only wear appropriate footwear if they're going to work in the lab. If they're having a meeting, showing people around or briefly using equipment (e.g. checking supplies in a fridge), they feel they do not need to wear appropriate footwear. On these occasions I've seen staff in the lab with everything from thongs, to ballet flats, to sandals.

Answer: It is a common misconception that basically anything goes, but this is not true.

AS2243.3 2010, stipulates in section 10.2.3 that ‘closed footwear shall be worn’ (regardless of PC status)

Further, if there are chemicals in the lab that fall into one of the dangerous goods classes, then a risk assessment should be done to determine if the footwear needs to be impervious (e.g. esp if DG6 is used).

EYEWEAR

Question: Do people have to wear safety glasses in labs?

Answer: AS2243.3 2010 says “Protective eyewear shall be worn unless a documented risk assessment can justify a lesser requirement. The choice of equipment to protect the eyes and face from splashes and impacting objects is dependent on the activity performed”.

So if you have any sharps, infectious biologicals, risk group 2 micro-organisms, GM micro-organisms or chemicals, then you have hazards present in that lab that do require you to wear protective eyewear. Make sure you select one with adequate protection.

FOOD

Question: Our offices are located at the end of a lab. Can we eat/drink in our offices? And can we take food/drink via the lab to our offices?

Answer: The new AS2243.3 do not allow office space within the boundary of a laboratory. Until you move your office to a new location:

You may ‘double-contain’ your food, and take it directly to your office. Water must be bottled, and covered and taken directly to the office.

Doors to offices must remain closed at ALL TIMES.

The air supply to the office is different to the lab,

DO NOT leave office doors open,

Do not transport uncovered cups or jugs through the lab!

Do I have a workers compensation entitlement?

All information on workers compensation can be found on the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Website 

Are Student's covered by workers compensation?

Workers's compensation is an employee entitlement, other student insurance cover is available for specific purposes.  Please refer to the insurance tab under Students Information

What are the smoking restrictions on University campuses?

University of Tasmania smoking on campuses are governed by University of Tasmania bylaws and policy .

Are domestic animals allowed in UTAS buildings?

The University bylaws cover domestic animals including dogs. Offences section 6 (5) (6) states

(5) Subject to the provisions of the Guide Dogs Act 1967, an authorised officer may direct a person to remove from the University land any dog or other domestic animal owned by or in the possession, care or control of that person.

(6) A person who is given a direction pursuant to sub-paragraph (5) shall comply with the terms thereof and shall not thereafter permit such a dog or other domestic animal to be on University land. "

Under health and safety requirements, reasons for directing removal of pets includes but is not limited too, causing general distraction, disruption, noise, damage to property or sensitive equipment. 

WHS advises that the Responsible Officer may determine that domestic animals are not permitted within their area of control or operation.

Testing and Tagging?

Testing and tagging applies to portable mains powered (240 volt) equipment where the cord is subject to possible stress or strain and/or the device is operated in a harsh environment.  Please refer to the Code of Practice Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace and Australian Standard 3760-2010 for further information.

 

Who offers testing and tagging training in Tasmania and what does it cost?

Skills Institute  is one of the providers offering courses in testing and tagging training in Tasmania.

Where can I find out more about Asbestos?

The Tasmania Government has developed a comprehensive asbestos web site which is available via the following link, Asbestos

The UTas asbestos procedure is available via the folowing link, Asbestos procedure.

Property Services maintain the required Asbestos Register

Is there are training course on Asbestos Removal?

Skills Institute  is one of the providers offering courses in the correct and safe way to remove asbestos

When is Health Surveillance required by the WHS Regulator?

The current Tasmanian Work Health and Safety Legislation details  specific requirements for health surveillance (Work Health Safety Act 2012 (Section 19 (3) (g).  Other health surveillance may also be required for specific high risk areas such as incidental Radiation or Abestos exposure. If in doubt, contact the WHS Unit for assistance via health.safety@utas.edu.au


Why won't my login work when trying to report an Incident or Hazard Online?

Virtual Private Network (VPN) -Off Campus Access:

When attempting to login to the Incident or Hazard online systems from an off campus site you may encouter difficulties accessing the secure UTAS intranet. To access secure UTAS sites including the Hazard and Incident/Near Miss Notification system  you will need to install and run Virtual Private Network (VPN) providing you have a UTAS username and password.   The VPN software can be found at the ITR website  

You should take a few minutes to read the FAQ and load the software at a time when you have no other applications running.  If you encounter any difficulties with VPN, please contact the ITR Helpdesk  on 1300 304 903.

Note that once VPN is installed, you will need to commence a VPN session before each time you access a UTAS secure site - simply having it installed on your PC will not give you access to secure sites.

Harmonisation of Passwords:

UTAS has a large number of systems and uses a couple of different authentication systems.  At times the passwords can get out of synch which can result in a succcessful log-in to one system but a lack of success using the same password on another system.  In this case users have two options:

  • If you can successfully log-in to your UTAS webmail then you should be able to synch your other  passwords here
  • You can also phone +61 3 6226 1818 and ask for a password reset, provide your username, you will then receive a temporary password and can access this site   to change your temporary password.

If you are still experiencing difficulties accessing the Hazard and Incident/Near Miss Notifications systems then please contact the ITR Helpdesk

Please note: Service Desk hours are 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays.

When is it appropriate for me to use my private vehicle for work related duties?

The use of private vehicles may be used in certain approved circumstances. Please read the Use of Private Vehicle (PDF 56.1 KB) document for further information.

Who can sign a permit to use poisons?

The Drugs & Poisons – Summary of Legislative Requirements document can provide information on who at the University has authority to sign a permit to use poisons.

Who can sign the purchase order to purchase poisons?

The Drugs & Poisons – Summary of Legislative Requirement document can provide information on who at the University has authority to approve the purchase of poisons.

What are the types and uses of Laboratory Safety Cabinets?

The following fact sheet  can provide further information.

Are fitballs suitable for use in an office?

The following statement was extracted from Workplace Safety Australia - Safety Alert -2011 "use of fitballs (also known as fitness balls, swiss balls, gym balls or physio balls) is generally not recommended for seating in the office due to the instability of the balls.  You should consult with your medical practitioner and employer as to whether using a fitball as a seat at work is appropriate".  For more information on chair requirements read the Screen Based Equipment guidelines listed under the policies and standards page on the Work Health and Safety website or contact health.safety@utas.edu.au for more information.

What is the correct format to create a safety sign?

Australian Standard (AS1319-1994) provides advice specifying  requirements for the design and use of safety signs intended for use in the occupational environment to regulate and control safety related behaviour, to warn of hazards and to provide emergency information including fire protection information. (The University has purchased an Australian Standard Licence which can be found on the HSR page  under "Safety Information Useful Links"  Standards Australia).