Hazard management procedure

Procedure

Intent and objectives

RMIT is committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and ensuring the hazards associated with University activities are identified and effectively controlled.

This procedure sets out the steps that must be taken by all staff within the University who have control over activities, in order to meet that commitment.

This six step procedure provides the basic risk management framework and will be supported by a range of specific hazard related guidelines.

Scope

RMIT University-wide

Exclusions

None

Procedure steps and actions

Responsibility

The Head of School or head of a non academic business unit is responsible for ensuring compliance with this procedure within their area of authority. All staff who have control over activities, including the development and teaching of RMIT courses, research programs, building works, administration etc. are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of those who participate in the activities under their control i.e. staff, students, visitors, contractors. All staff who have control over University activities are responsible for ensuring all hazards associated with their activities are identified and adequately controlled by following this procedure.

Procedure

1. All workplace hazards must be identified and recorded in a hazard register. Identification needs to consider the nature and type of tasks, work environment, work practices, materials, substances, plant and equipment, facilities, buildings, premises and program planning and management. Potential hazards should also be identified prior to the introduction of any new activities, teaching programs, substances, plant, equipment and in the design phase of building and refurbishment projects. Hazards can also be recorded on the online system, SafetySuite.

2. For each hazard or hazardous activity that is identified in Step 1, the associated risks must be determined. A risk assessment must then be completed to determine whether the level of risk is acceptable.

3. Once each of the risks has been ranked, suitable control measures must be determined and implemented using the hierarchy of controls. Controls should take into account any legislation associated with the hazard and RMIT policies and procedures. The chosen risk controls should be implemented as soon as possible with priority given to those risks with the highest ranking. Any tasks that involve risks that may lead to death or serious injury must be halted until suitable controls are in place to reduce the risk.

4. All staff, students, contractors and visitors must receive appropriate induction, training and supervision relating to the risks of the work they perform or the activities they participate in. The legislation requires evidence to be maintained of the training, information, instruction and supervision provided.

5. Managing risks is an ongoing process and all risk controls must be regularly checked to ensure they are working effectively. A schedule to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the control measures must be established in each workplace. The frequency of the evaluations should be determined by the nature of the hazards and level of risk in each area. A review of the effectiveness of controls must be conducted following a workplace injury to ensure appropriate measures are taken to prevent the injury occurring again.

6. The hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control process must be carried out in consultation with staff and health and safety representatives. This is a legal requirement of the legislation. All documentation relating to this procedure should include a record of the names of staff consulted in each of the first five steps.

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