Occupational Health and Safety Policy

Application

1. This policy applies to all staff of the University of Waikato

Related documents

2. This policy takes account of the following documents:
   • the Health and Safety in Employment Act (1992) and its amendments
   • the Health and Safety in Employment Regulations (1995)
   • other relevant Regulations and Codes of Practice

Compliance Statement

3. The University of Waikato is firmly committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for staff members, students, contractors and other visitors and to continually improving the systems, practices and appropriate resources to achieve this. A safe and healthy work environment is achieved through the cooperation and compliance of every staff member with University procedures and relevant work standards which are developed through a participatory approach.

Purpose

4. The purpose of this policy is to set out the accountabilities and responsibilities of staff with respect to the provision of a safe and healthy work environment for staff, students, contractors and other visitors.

Responsibilities

5. The Vice-Chancellor is accountable for the provision and maintenance of a safe and healthy work environment, and delegates relevant responsibilities to line managers as set out in section 6 of this policy.
6. Line managers must manage health and safety within their areas of responsibility as an integral part of their day-to-day activities and must take all practicable steps with respect to their areas of responsibility to:
   1. provide and maintain a safe and healthy work environment by establishing and implementing appropriate standards and procedures
   2. establish and insist on safe methods, safe equipment, proper materials, and safe practices at all times
   3. provide appropriate training for staff
   4. provide opportunities for staff to participate in health and safety forums
   5. ensure compliance with relevant University policies, legislative requirements and standards
   6. ensure that safety takes precedence over expediency at all times.
7. Staff must:
   1. observe safe work practices
   2. follow University procedures and comply with relevant work standards and statutory obligations
   3. comply with relevant directives from line managers.

Breaches

8. Line managers must report any breaches of this policy to the Health and Safety Coordinator and the Head of Human Resources.
9. Breaches of this policy may result in disciplinary action under the Staff Code of Conduct.