Our Occupational Health & Safety system is based on the belief that the well-being of people employed at work, or people affected by our work, is a major priority and must be considered during all work performed by us or on our behalf.

People are our most important asset and their health and safety is our greatest responsibility.

The objectives of our Occupational Health & Safety Policy are:

  • To achieve an accident free workplace.
  • To make health & safety an integral part of every managerial and supervisory position.
  • To ensure health and safety is considered in all planning and work activities.
  • To involve our employees in the decision making processes through regular communication, consultation and training.
  • To provide a continuous program of education and learning to ensure that our employees work in the safest possible manner.
  • To identify and control all potential hazards in the workplace through hazard identification and risk analysis.
  • To ensure all potential accident/incidents are controlled and prevented.
  • To provide effective injury management and rehabilitation for all employees.
  • The success of our health and safety management is dependent on:
  • Pro-active planning of all work activities with due consideration given to implementing occupational health & safety (OHS) controls that are suitable to each given situation.
  • Understanding the total work process and associated OHS risks.
  • Ensuring the work team is totally committed to achieving our objectives.
  • Ensuring that open and honest communication exists between management and all employees.
  • This policy will be carried out through OH & S program, which includes:
  • Active involvement and commitment of managers
  • Identification and control of hazards
  • Investigation and reporting of all accidents and dangerous incidents
  • Participation and consultation with, employees on safety matters of significance
  • Provision of first aid and emergency procedures
  • Provision of information, training and supervision as necessary for safety.

Responsibilities of Management

The Manager will carry out this policy, being responsible for the health and safety of all persons working in any operation under their control. They will actively take steps to identify hazards, which could cause harm to any person in their area of control or operation and take prompt action to control them.

Responsibilities of Employees

Employees must take care of their health and safety and that of their fellow workers to the extent of their capability. This includes following all safety rules, procedures and the instructions of the manager. They must not misuse safety equipment and must report all hazards and injuries or ill health caused by work-related incidents to the practice person if the manager is not present.
Responsibilities of Contractors or other management Contractors must follow the OHS policies and procedures, in addition, all practices undertaken by the contractor and the contractor’s employees must be in a safe manner and must not, under any circumstance, create any hazards for the employees, patients and visitors.

Consultation Statement

This Practice is committed to protecting the health and safety of all its employees through the provision of a safe working environment. To do this, management will consult with all employees in the development / implementation of systems that are designed to reach this goal now and in the future. Employee involvement in all processes dealing with Occupational Health and Safety is essential to ensuring the success of the program.

Consultation Arrangements

Employees are encouraged to provide feedback, complaints, and issues of concern or identified hazards through the Occupational Health and Safety Problem Register which will be used as a confidential reporting system and checked regularly by the HSE officer. Where an OH&S issue has been raised by an employee through the Problem Register, the HSE officer will consult with other employees who the issue could affect and provide feedback to all staff regarding the resolution/outcome.

Employer Obligations

An employer must ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all the employees of the employer.

The OH&S Act 2000 imposes 2 broad duties on employers. Those broad duties are:

1. Employers have a duty to ensure the health, safety & welfare of all employees at their workplace. This includes looking after such matters as:

· The place of work controlled by the employer where the employees work (and the means of access to or exit from the premises) are safe without risks to health
· Ensuring that any plant or substance provided for use by the employees is safe and without risks to health when properly used
· Workplace systems and workplace environment
· Providing information, instruction and training to existing and new staff
· Providing adequate facilities for employees

2. Employers also have a general duty to make sure that other persons ordinarily at their workplace, such as patients and their families in the case of medical practices are not exposed to health & safety risks.