Staff Health and Safety Policy
Our responsibilities
All employees, clients and customers, visitors and contractors have a responsibility for safety, health and welfare. It should be understood that any non-compliance with the company’ safety policy may result in disciplinary action.
Our objectives
- To establish a safe and healthy environment in all areas of operation
- To establish and maintain safe working procedures among employees, clients and customers.
- To create awareness, involvement and participation so as to develop safety consciousness and self-responsibility.
Facilitation
To facilitate the above, the company seeks to:
- involve all employees in the establishment and compliance with good safety practice
- train all employees, so that safe working methods will be followed
- review the OHS policy annually
- endeavour to eliminate hazards and ensure the reporting of hazards. If hazards occur; to investigate any reports of unsafe practices or conditions
- make adequate provision for fire prevention, fire fighting and evacuation procedures in consultation with the Fire Services (including servicing of fire extinguishers) and with property owners and managers, as appropriate.
- endeavour at all times to comply with safety legislation.
- give special consideration to visitors who may be unfamiliar with the site.
Responsibilities
Management:
- has overall responsibility for workplace health and safety and will direct personnel to cease work if they fail to meet their obligations for working safely
- will instigate an annual review of OH&S including a review of policies and plans
Management is responsible for monitoring Workplace Health and Safety requirements and will:
- carry out risk assessments whenever new tasks are introduced; new equipment is purchased or a hazard has become apparent
- ensure that personnel are kept informed of any new developments or requirements in health and safety
- organise induction training for new staff
- organise training whenever new equipment or procedures are introduced, or when a hazard becomes apparent
- organise ongoing training in safe work procedures and ensure staff are trained in emergency procedures
- act as a focal point for day to day reference on OH&S, giving advice or indicating sources of advice
- carry out regular safety audits
- liaise with [..enter your insurance authority or Division of Workplace Health and Safety, and Emergency Services}, where appropriate
- ensure that clear instructions and warnings are given to people under their supervision
- encourage safety participation and hazard reporting by personnel under their supervision
- ensure personnel under their supervision meet their obligations regarding safety
Employees will:
- report to management on issues affecting safety
- ensure equipment is checked before use
- work in a manner that does not jeopardise the safety of themselves or others
- ensure that the health and safety of visitors is not put at risk
- follow safe working procedures
- ensure that they do not interfere with or misuse anything provided for workplace health and safety
Stress at work
Management recognises that undue stress may have a negative effect on individuals and on the service provided. Stress in the workplace should be minimised for both human welfare and operational reasons.
Some stress factors may be beyond the control of the company but it accepts the responsibility to recognise and alleviate avoidable stress in the workplace.
To do this, the company will endeavour to ensure that systems and practices are designed and operated in a manner that minimises the risk of stress to employees. The company will conduct risk assessment in order to prevent stress whenever possible.
Management is responsible for the provision of working environments and practices that are designed to minimise stress, in particular:
- the promotion of a supportive culture
- providing staff training in stress management
- providing an external counselling service for employees when appropriate
- raising awareness of the nature of stress and information on coping strategies
Alcohol
The consumption of alcohol on company premises is permitted only at official functions and only with the approval of management.
The company’s policy objectives on alcohol are;
- To promote the sensible use of alcohol.
- To encourage people with a problem to seek help at an early stage.
Other considerations
- Drinking alcohol can affect work performance.
- The smell of alcohol on the breath can be offensive to others and can give a bad impression.
- Employees must not drink alcohol when on duty.
- Employees who are off duty must recognise that it takes time for alcohol to be cleared from the body, and that they need to be fit for their next spell of duty.
- Employees have a professional responsibility to ensure that alcohol does not affect their ability to do their job.
Smoking
There is overwhelming evidence of the dangers of passive smoking to our health. In order to ensure a safe and healthy workplace, [enter-your-company-name-here] have adopted a “non-smoking policy” for all employees.
- Smoking is not allowed inside any company building, in company vehicles or in the presence of customers.
- Smokers may only smoke during rostered breaks.
Other Drugs
The use or consumption of drugs of abuse is not permitted.
Persons affected by them are not allowed at the workplace.
This may also apply to prescription drugs where there is a warning from the manufacturer, pharmacist or doctor about using the drug when driving. If you are taking prescription drugs that may affect your mental or physical faculties, please check with your supervisor.