University of Otago Health & Safety Policy Statement

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO

Health and Safety Policy

Purpose The health, safety and welfare of staff and students is of prime importance at the University of Otago , and it is our intention to strive for excellence in health and safety management.

Scope All University of Otago workplaces.

Associated

Documentation

Policy Statement

1. It is the policy of the University to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, to protect the health, safety and welfare of all its staff and students, and that of others in accordance with our legal obligations, including compliance with relevant standards and codes of practice relevant to the University.

2. Within the general policy, the University aims to effectively manage hazards arising from its facilities or activities, and in particular the University will:

•  provide and maintain a safe working environment, plant and systems for staff, students, contractors and visitors that is safe and without risk to health; and

•  provide such information, instruction, training, and supervision as is necessary, to ensure that health and safety hazards are identified, understood and managed effectively; and

•  establish health and safety objectives which will be reviewed each year through the internal audit process and performance review processes to ensure continuous improvement in health and safety management; and

•  support health and safety staff through the provision of resources to achieve the required health and safety objective outcomes; and

•  require accurate reporting, notification and investigation of all injuries and incidents; and

•  provide prompt, effective work based rehabilitation for all work related injuries, and non-work injuries where appropriate and possible; and

•  provide the training and information necessary to the University's leaders to ensure an appropriate level of competency in health and safety related matters; and

•  foster and encourage education of safe working practices for students who in turn will become workers when they leave the University; and

•  provide adequate consultation processes for health and safety matters, and actively encourage participation of students, and staff and their representatives including union representation.

3 All University of Otago employees are required to:

•  report all incidents and injuries; and

•  participate in the health and safety management systems in operation within the University; and

•  report any hazards or safety concerns they identify to relevant health and safety staff; and

•  actively participate in rehabilitation for work related injuries/illnesses.

4  The University's performance with respect to the health and safety goals will be reviewed and reported annually. This will also provide an opportunity to review this policy statement, and improve it where appropriate.

Date of Issue: 6 July 2006

Prepared by Andrea McMillan Staus:Approved

Verified by VC

Reviewed June 2010