1 general conditions of employment - Department of Education and ...

6 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY Emergency ManagementThe NSW Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2001(OHS Regulations) replaces allregulations made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983. It establishes the legalframework for managing health and safety and gives particular emphasis to risk management andworkplace consultation on OHS.6.3 RESPONSIBILITIES FOR A HEALTHY AND SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT6.3.1 RESPONSIBILITIES OF EMPLOYERSAn employer must ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees.The Department is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy working and learning environmentfor staff, students and visitors to all workplaces across the organisation. The Department’spolicies, procedures and systems are designed to ensure compliance with Occupational Healthand Safety (OHS) legislation and workers compensation legislation. They set out theDepartment’s commitment to meeting its OHS obligations and outline the role of all partiesincluding managers, supervisors and staff.6.3.2 RESPONSIBILITIES OF EMPLOYEESSafety is the responsibility of all employees. Implementing health and safety relies on a strongworkplace safety culture and the participation and cooperation of every employee in thesuccessful implementation of safety policy and safe working systems. This will result in increasedinjury prevention through effective risk management and appropriate injury response when injuriesdo occur.For further information about responsibilities, please refer to the Department’s OHS website oralternatively staff may contact the Team Leader, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Strategyand Policy on (02) 9266 8958 for information.6.3.3 WORKCOVER INSPECTORSa) The OHS Act stipulates the role of WorkCover in managing workplace safety.b) WorkCover’s role is to:• Ensure compliance through inspections, investigations, penalties and prosecutions.• Provide information and assistance.• Conduct the licensing and certification of premises.• Provide guidelines on the operation of hazardous equipment.• Implement targeted prevention and education programs.c) WorkCover inspectors are given inspection powers, including the right to enter workpremises, obtain information, documents and evidence. Inspectors can be accompaniedby an employee representative during an inspection, if requested.6.3.4 INCIDENT REPORTINGIn accordance with the Department’s Incident Reporting Policy, and supporting procedures, staffare to report workplace incidents as soon as practicable, but within 24 hours of the incidentoccurring.In accordance with the Incident Reporting Procedures, principals are responsible for reportingspecific OHS incidents to the OHS Directorate or their Regional OHS Liaison Manager.Depending on the nature of the incident, incidents are then reported to WorkCover. Theseincidents include any serious incident such as loss of life or other critical event, other injuries orillnesses or events such as explosions or fires.Staff should report any injury or incident to the principal or supervisor as soon as possible.For further information, please access the Department’s health and safety website. The relevantHandbook for non teaching staff in schools (September 2008) Page 3 of 7