POL-G-062, version 2.0, 10 September 2021
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1. Title
Work health and safety policy
2. Introduction
The Museum places a high priority on work health and safety. The Museum acknowledges its duty of care towards the health and safety of its workers. As required under section 47 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act), this policy has been developed by the Museum as the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) in consultation with its workers.
This policy:
- enables effective cooperation between the Museum and workers in developing and promoting measures to ensure workers’ mental and physical health, safety and welfare at work
- provides adequate mechanisms for consulting with workers about work health and safety matters
- provides adequate mechanisms for reviewing the effectiveness of the policy
- provides adequate mechanisms for the variation of the policy in consultation with workers
- provides for a dispute resolution mechanism to deal with disputes arising in the course of consultations held under the WHS Act between the PCBU and workers
- requires the establishment of Work Health and Safety Committee (WHSC) and provides for the manner in which the WHSC are to be constituted and operate
- is consistent with the principles of preventing health and safety incidents from occurring, and resolving these issues as close to the workplace as possible in the most efficient and resource-effective manner.
3. Principles
The Museum will meet its obligations under the WHS Act to provide a healthy and safe work environment by:
- developing and implementing a Work Health and Safety Management System (WHSMS) which clearly states the roles and responsibilities of officers, managers and workers
- providing the resources required, ensuring the necessary work health and safety programs and activities are established and maintained, including first aid provisions
- encouraging a cooperative, consultative relationship between officers, managers and workers in regard to work, health and safety issues through the facilitation of an effective network of trained Health and Safety Representatives and through the WHSC
- implementing strategies which provide a safe and healthy environment for workers, such as prevention, including access to information programs to promote overall health and wellbeing for workers, early intervention and return-to-work programs
- ensuring that officers, managers and workers undertake the necessary training to enable them to perform their duties safely and to meet their responsibilities under the WHS Act
- providing comprehensive and professional work health and safety advice to assist officers, managers and workers
- developing reporting processes for officers as part of the due diligence responsibilities
- establishing measurable objectives and targets to ensure continued improvement aimed at elimination of work-related injury and illness
- undertaking regular review and monitoring of WHSMS to identify areas for improvement.
3.1 Executive staff:
The Director is the champion of WHS and the Museums Work Health Safety Management System. The Director, supported by the Executive team as the PCBU has a responsibility to comply with its obligations prescribed in the WHS Act. This will be achieved by:
- exercising due diligence
- keeping up to date with current WHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice
- endorsing the Museum’s initiatives to eliminate or mitigate work health and safety risks
- ensuring allocation of resources and equipment that helps maintain and operate in a work environment that is without risks to health and safety.
3.2 Officers/managers/supervisors must ensure:
- effective implementation of this policy
- their responsibilities under the Act and Regulations are met
- agreed procedures for regular discussion between managers and workers are followed
- required documentation is provided
- all workplace hazards are identified, and risks assessed and controlled
- regular workplace inspections are conducted
- information, training and supervision are provided for all employees in the correct use of plant, equipment, chemicals and other substances.
3.3 Workers:
- have a duty to take care of their health and safety, and that of others
- must comply with safety procedures and directions
- must follow reasonable instructions
- must not wilfully interfere with or misuse items or facilities provided in the interest of health and safety
- must inform their manager or supervisor of hazards, accidents and near accidents occurring at the workplace.
3.4 Visitors and contractors must:
- not put themselves or any of the Museum’s employees at risk
- abide by the Museum’s WHS policies and procedures
- not enter restricted areas without permission.
3.5 WHS monitoring and review
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will be identified, and targets set to monitor and improve overall WHS performance.
Reports will be prepared for performance against KPIs and regularly presented to the WHSC and the Executive Management Group.
3.6 Reviewing the effectiveness of the WHS policy
This WHS policy will be regularly reviewed as required by legislation and organisational changes or, as a minimum, every two (2) years.
4. References
Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth)
Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth)
5. Implementation
5.1 Coverage
This policy applies to all officers and workers of the Museum.
5.2 Other related policies and procedures
POL-G-075 WHS Measurement and evaluation policy
PRO-032 WHS Incident/hazard reporting and investigation procedure
PRO-033 WHS Consultation and communication procedure
PRO-034 WHS Issue resolution procedures
PRO-035 WHS Training and competency procedure
PRO-036 WHS First aid procedures
PRO-039 WHS Measurement and evaluation procedure
PRO-040 WHS Auditing procedure
5.3 Exclusions
There are no exclusions to this policy.
5.4 Superseded policies
This policy supersedes the NMA Health and Safety Management Arrangements 2015.
5.5 Monitoring
This policy is monitored by the WHS Manager and will be reviewed in September 2023.
Metadata
ID | POL-G-062 |
Version | 2.0 |
Version date | 10 September 2021 |
Type | General operational |
Approval dates | This version approved by Executive Management 31 August 2021 |
File | 19/1251 |
Availability | Public and all staff |
Keywords | Work health and safety, officers, workers, monitoring, risk |
Responsible officer | Work Health and Safety (WHS) Manager |
History | Health and Safety Management Arrangements 2011 |
Review date | September 2023 |
Related documents | Policies and Procedures relating to the WHS Management System |
Contact | National Museum of Australia Tel: (02) 6208 5000 |