WHS Policy

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WORK, HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY MANUAL Section 3 – Policy 1 Date of Issue: January 2013 Date of Review: January 2015

Overview The Brain Injury Network of South Australia Inc. (BINSA) has a legal responsibility to implement the Work, Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) From 1 January 2013, South Australia's work health and safety legislation - which includes the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) and the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA), supported by Codes of Practice - will align with New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, the Northern Territory and the Commonwealth. The Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA) identify the control measures that must be applied to specific work activities and hazards, for example machine guarding and noise exposure. The Codes of Practice provide practical information, or guidance, on how to meet the requirements of the regulations. The Codes are not mandatory but provide information to help workplaces achieve safe systems of work. In the long term, harmonised work health and safety laws will reduce red tape and compliance costs for businesses that operate across state borders. It will also provide workers with the same protections and safety standards as well as recognising their licensing and training nationally. The key principles of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) are consistent with long established and familiar occupational health and safety standards. From 1 January 2013 the Act: 

Establishes health and safety duties, including the primary duty to protect any person from exposure to hazards and risks that arise from work

Provides for worker representation, consultation and participation including through Health and Safety Representatives and Health and Safety Committees

Enables compliance and enforcement through SafeWork SA, the regulator

Provides for the creation of regulations and Codes of Practice.

BINSA recognises that the safety and health of employees is of prime importance and is an essential part of the planning and implementation of its aims, objectives and policies. There is a shared responsibility binding management and employees to the achievement of these goals.

Policy Statement It is BINSA’s policy to aspire to an accident free environment in which the possibility of injury and risks to health are controlled or eliminated and safe working attitudes are promoted through consultations and participation at all levels of the work force. The Executive Officer (EO) is responsible in the workplace for ensuring all WHS provisions are met in consultation with staff. BINSA works towards establishing and maintaining a safe work environment for all employees. Adequate resources will be allocated to ensure this can occur. BINSA recognises that if accidents or incidents do occur are required to be reported. Incidents should be investigated to ensure that the possibility of recurrence or further risk is minimised.

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BINSA also understands the importance of incident reporting and investigation and has developed hazard inspection, hazard reporting and maintenance programs to minimise the workplace accidents or dangerous situations. Incident refers to: 

Any event which causes or could have caused injury, illness, damage to plant, equipment, vehicles, property, material, or the environment or public alarm

Losses of containment, fire, explosion, non-compliance with environmental regulatory requirements, vehicle incidents and off-site incidents.

All staff are expected to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the regulations so that they can comply with them. There is a shared responsibility binding management and employees to the achievement of these goals and success in our safety endeavours is dependent upon the active involvement of every employee of the organisation and all employees are to accept the responsibility for working in a manner which ensures their own safety and that of others.

Related Documents & Information All Policies in the WHS Section of the BINSA Policy Manual Privacy Act 1988 Relevant Legislation / Standards WHS Act 2012 (SA)

Work Health and Safety Codes of Practice 2011 – See Section 3 – URL to Work Health and Safety Act 2012

Safe Work SA Amendment Act 2005 http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/show_page.jsp?id=112104 WHS&W Regulations 2010 - from July 1 2012 (NB there will be up to a 2 year transition period covering any significant changes) SA Legislation website WorkCover SA

Authorised by: Chairperson: Joanna Andrew .......................................................

Date 31/01/2013: ..........

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