Environment, Health and Safety Policy

1. Background and context

The University of Technology, Sydney recognises its responsibilities to comply with the requirements of occupational health and safety and environment protection legislation. The University is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for students, staff, visitors and contractors and adopting a socially-responsible approach towards protecting and sustaining the environment. It aims to be at the forefront of environment, health and safety (EHS) practice in higher education.

2. Purpose and scope

In addition to responding to legislative requirements, this Policy reflects:

• the University's commitment to its duty of care to provide a safe and healthy work and study environment and practice
• the positive commitment of the University to integrate risk management into its operations, teaching, research and consulting functions, and
• the University's commitment to demonstrate and promote the achievement of sustainable futures embracing ecological, economic and social aspects of human existence.

To this end, the University will:

2.1 provide a safe environment for work and study

2.2 prevent or control hazards that could result in injury or illness by integrating risk management into its operations, teaching, research and consulting

2.3 manage any accidents and incidents that occur, in order to minimise harm and prevent recurrences

2.4 promote healthy, safe and ecologically-sustainable practices among the University community

2.5 demonstrate and promote the achievement of sustainable futures embracing ecological, economic and social aspects of human existence

2.6 establish and maintain effective consultation and communication mechanisms so that staff and students understand their responsibilities and are actively involved in health and safety

2.7 make available relevant training and information to staff and students

2.8 allocate appropriate resources to manage risks to health, safety and the environment.

This Policy applies to all staff, students, contractors and visitors to the University.

3. Definitions

3.1 'Risk management' is 'the culture, processes and structures that are directed towards realizing potential opportunities whilst managing adverse effects' (Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4360:2004 : Risk management).

3.2 'Risk management process' is 'the systematic application of management policies, procedures and practices to the tasks of communicating, establishing the context, identifying, analysing, evaluating, treating, monitoring and reviewing risk' (Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4360:2004 : Risk management).

4. Policy provisions

4.1 The University has established an EHS Management System in consultation with staff representatives from academic and administrative Units. This is the University's system for managing risks to the health and safety of its staff, students, contractors and visitors. This Management System includes policies, plans (the UTS EHS Plan and Faculty/Unit EHS Plans), training, information and guidelines, and operates at both the University-wide level and at the academic and administrative Unit level.

4.2 The success of the EHS Management System depends on the commitment, cooperation and input of all members of the University community.

4.3 Through the UTS EHS Plan, the University will develop programs and procedures to continuously improve work and study environments and encourage environmentally-responsible practices. The UTS EHS Plan is the schedule produced and monitored by the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor's EHS Advisory Committee that states the projects, accountabilities and timeframes to address both University-wide high-risk health and safety issues and any deficiencies in the University's EHS Management System. The UTS EHS Plan is also used to organise management reporting and the agenda for the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor's EHS Advisory Committee.

4.4 Each head of an academic or administrative Unit will develop, implement and monitor a Faculty/Unit EHS Plan in consultation with their staff. 'Faculty/Unit EHS Plans' are those documents, created by Heads of academic and administrative Units and representative staff, that define accountabilities for actions to be taken to address specific EHS issues. Each Faculty/Unit EHS Plan is a list of practical procedures drafted to allow scope for each Unit to determine the EHS procedures that best suit their circumstances and the specific EHS hazards relevant to their work environment, courses and research.

4.5 The EHS Branch will work with academic and administrative Units to develop, implement, monitor and audit the EHS management system across the University.

5. Authorities and accountabilities

5.1 The NSW Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 sets out the broad responsibilities for employers, employees and others. These responsibilities are further defined in the Vice-Chancellor's Operational Directive: Environment, Health and Safety Responsibilities.

5.2 The Vice-Chancellor is responsible to Council for the overall implementation of this Policy. This includes the allocation of resources for effective implementation and ensuring managers, staff and students are aware of their responsibilities through appropriate delegation.

5.3 The Vice-Chancellor also monitors environment, health and safety performance and authorises appropriate action to ensure compliance with this Policy.

6. Specification of legislation and other UTS documentation

6.1 Legislation and other relevant documentation

Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 (NSW)

Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 (NSW)

Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW)

Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4360:2004 : Risk management

6.2 UTS documentation

Vice-Chancellor's Operational Directive: Environment, Health and Safety Responsibilities

Guiding Principles

Sustainability Policy (PDF)

Risk Management Policy

Vice-Chancellor's Operational Directive: Workplace Injury Management and Return to Work Programs (PDF)

Consultation in the EHS Management System

EHS Risk Management at UTS

7. Approval and revisions tables

7.1 Approval

7.2 Revision/modification history