Faculty of Science
Faculty of Science OHS Hazard Identification Inspections
FOS Inspection Pack
- Workplace inspection procedure
- General laboratory Checklist
- Computer laboratory Checklist
- Workplace Inspection Sheet
- Ionising Radiation Inspection Checklist
- Class 3B and 4 laser laboratory checklist
- Risk Assessment Matrix
General forms
Risk Register
2010 listing of science areas
2008 Schedule
2008 Reports
2007 Reports
Resources
WorkCover Hazpak
Workcover Hazpak Guide
The Faculty is continuing its comprehensive review of hazards and assessment of risks. This involves identification of hazards and assessment of risks. It also involves the elimination of risk where possible, or control of risks through changing equipment, materials, work methods or introducing personal protective equipment. .
Rationale
One of the key principles of the NSW OHS Act 2000 (the Act) and the OHS Regulation 2001 (the regulation) is risk management - the process of identification, assessment and elimination or control of hazards in the workplace.
Responsibility
As identified in the University OHS Policy 2.00, Deans have a broad responsibility for ensuring that the occupational health and safety procedures are implemented in all places of work under their control. They are also responsible to ensure that line managers and supervisors within their area of control are accountable for managing health and safety.
The supervisor's major occupational health and safety obligation lies in controlling hazards. Supervisors need to perform particular tasks in relation to the identification, assessment, and control of hazards (See OHS Policy 3.00).
Aim
- For each Department of the Division to undertake a regular and comprehensive process of identification of hazards and assessment of risks in all areas under their management, including all work practices undertaken in those areas.
- To assess whether hazards can be eliminated and if not, to identify appropriate controls to manage the risks.
- To document findings in accordance with legislative requirements to demonstrate systematic implementation of a safety management system.
Method
Each location in the Division will be inspected by a small team of observers comprising the area manager (HOD or nominee), one member of the OHS Committee and a third person (to be nominated by the HOD). At least one of the team should work in the area to be inspected.
Observers will record findings on the University Risk Register Form 3a. This is included in the FoS Inspection Pack along with guidelines for judging severity and likelihood of incidents and guidelines for dealing with hazards and thinking prompts for observers are provided.
Departments will develop a plan for eliminating or controlling risks based on risk levels as assessed by the observers with a view to eliminating or controlling all medium to critical level risks immediately and low to very low as soon possible.
A notional priority (high, medium, low) has been assigned to each area on the schedule. It is proposed that high priority areas may be reviewed more frequently than once a year as assessed by the observation team using such methodology as the observers feel appropriate (eg one or more of the checklists 2b-2k).
A risk register has been established from which regular reports to HODs and Departments will track implmentation of risk control plans and form the basis for evaluation of actions later (see below).
Evalution
Reinspection of each area on an annual basis (or more frequent for high priority areas) will involve review of the previous year risk register and include assessment of controls implemented.
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