Workplace Safety Policy Statement

Workplace Safety Policy Statement

Homes North is committed to the workplace health, safety and welfare of all of its employees, those contracted to perform work on our behalf, visitors to our premises, and anyone affected by our activities. Homes North regard its work health and safety responsibilities with the utmost importance and as such, resources will be made available to comply with all relevant Acts and Regulations to ensure the workplace and our activities are safe.

Principles

Management has the primary responsibility for the promotion and maintenance of work health and safety, and the dissemination of work health and safety information. However, all Homes North managers and employees as well as contractors and visitors have a shared responsibility for contributing to the health and safety of all persons in the workplace or affected by our activities. Management at all levels, in consultation with employees and other workers have the responsibility for developing, implementing and continually reviewing Homes North’s Workplace Safety Program.

Objectives

This policy provides the framework for:

• The development of safe methods of work
• The achievement of a safe working environment
• The promotion of good health within the work force
• Reducing the number and severity of injuries in the workplace
• Complying with the relevant Acts, Regulations, Standards and Codes of Practice

Strategies

Risk Management:

Homes North has established a documented work health and safety risk management system with procedures for identifying, assessing and controlling workplace hazards. This system has been developed in accordance with relevant legislations, Codes, and the International Risk Management Standards AS/NZ ISO 31000.

Consultation:

We have appointed Richard Innis, Operations Manager, to co-ordinate an effective consultative mechanism with the elected Health and Safety Representatives. This will enable employees and other workers to provide input into the Workplace Safety Program. Homes North will consult with employees, contractors, and other workers via the Health and Safety Representatives when planning and conducting work to determine the most effective means of ensuring all parties fulfil their Work Health and Safety responsibilities.

Responsibilites

Managers:

Each Manager is required to ensure that this policy and the Workplace Safety Policy Program are developed and effectively implemented in areas under their control, and to support supervisors and hold them accountable for their specific responsibilities.

Supervisors:

Each first line supervisor is responsible, and will be accountable for, taking all reasonable practicable measures to ensure that the workplace under their control and the behaviour of all persons in the workplace is safe and without risk to health.

The supervisor will be held accountable for detecting any unsafe or unhealthy conditions or behaviour. If supervisors do not have the necessary authority to fix a problem, they will be held accountable for reporting the matter promptly, together with and recommendations for remedial action to a manager with the necessary authority.

Employees:

All employees are required to co-operate with the Workplace Safety Program to ensure their own health and safety and the health and safety of others in the workplace. All workers must notify their supervisor as soon as possible of any hazards or risks to health and safety, and any injuries or dangerous incidents.

All employees will carry their work according to the safe systems of work and use all equipment, plant, tools and substances in the manner for which they are intended.

Contractors, Sub-Contractors and Visitors:

• Homes North Community Housing will consult, coordinate, and co-operate with all contractors and sub-contractors engaged to preform work for Homes North. Contractors, sub-contractors and their employees are required to comply with Homes North’s Workplace Safety Program and observe directions on health and safety from Homes North managers. Failure to comply or observe a direction will be considered a breach of the contract and sufficient grounds for termination of the contract
• Visitors must comply with all safety directions while in our workplace

Workplace Health and Safety Program

Homes North is committed to the effective implementation of its Workplace Safety Program and will ensure that it is appropriately reviewed and updated. The program relates to all aspects of the workplace health and safety including, but not limited to:

• Risk and hazard identification, control, monitoring and review
• Work Health and Safety training and education for all workers – general, site, and hazard specific
• Consultation with workers, and consultation, co-operation, and co-ordination with relevant Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking
• Work system and procedure design, workplace design and standard work methods
• Changes to work methods and practices
• Emergency procedures and drills
• Provision for Work Health and Safety services, including first aid, equipment and facilities
• Workplace inspections and safety plans
• Reporting and recording of incidents, accidents, injuries and illnesses
• Provision of information to employees, contractors, sub-contractors and visitor

Evaluation

Homes North is committed to the establishment of measurable objectives and targets for Work Health and Safety to ensure continuous improvement aimed at the elimination of work related illness and injury.

The effectiveness of Homes North Work Health and Safety and Risk Management Program will be measured by the:

• Effective identification of hazards,
• Effective development and implementation of safety plans, and
• Decrease in lost time due to illness and injury, and a resulting reduction in premiums

Related Policies and Procedures

• Injury Management and Return-to-Work Program
• Human Resources Programs and Training
• Recruitment & Selection Procedures
• Induction Procedures
• Work Safe Polices

Health and Safety Representatives

The Homes North Health and Safety Representatives are:

Jason Mackie

Authorisation

Authorised By: Maree McKenzie (CEO)

Date: 26 Mar 2018

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