You will ensure that all aspects and procedures of the work area comply with the EHS procedures set out in the School of Chemistry EHS manual / website and the University of Melbourne EHS manual / website.

Awareness and accessibility

You will ensure that everyone in your work area has an awareness and understanding of the University’s Environmental Management System (EMS) and Safety Management System (SafetyMAP). You will maintain an EHS information file that is accessible to all personnel in the work area. All EHS documentation relevant to the work area is to be located in this file. This includes hazard registers, environmental aspects registers, risk assessments, specified safe work procedures, work area training and authorisation records, and records of safety meetings/discussions and work area inspections.

Laboratory / Work Area Safety Training Document

You will develop a work area Safety Training Document that contains EHS information and the safety hazards and environmental aspects identified in the work area. It is your responsibility as a supervisor to ensure that all work area personnel are adequately inducted and trained before they undertake hazardous tasks or use equipment, and that training is on-going and managed. Your ‘authorisation’ procedure should be auditable by checking work, lab and log books, diaries etc. or by interviewing workers.

Training Needs Assessment

You will complete and file a Training Needs Assessment for all personnel in your work area on an annual basis, and ensure that the training is provided and documented.

Safety Meetings

You will hold regular work area safety meetings to discuss EHS matters and appraise personnel of any changes or additions to EHS procedures.

Work Area Safety Inspections

You will conduct and document quarterly EHS inspections of the work area (six-monthly for office areas) using the checklist downloaded from the Chemistry website, and provide evidence that ‘actions’ identified have been followed through. You will seek input from all people in your area during the inspection process; after all, it is their safety you are managing.

Safety Hazard Register, Risk assessments, Risk Control Measures

You will ensure that your work area has an up to date Safety Hazard Register identifying all hazardous procedures and equipment, and that formal risk assessments are completed and filed for all significant hazards (identified as medium or high risk). Risk control measures must be devised and implemented for all identified hazards (generally outlined in your Safety Training Document). A written work procedure must be developed for all significant hazards.

Environmental Aspects Register, Risk assessments, Risk Control Measures

You will ensure that your work area has an Environmental Aspects Register (with date and review date) identifying procedures with an environmental impact, and that formal risk assessments are completed and filed for all significant aspects (identified as medium or high risk). Risk control measures must be devised and implemented for all identified aspects (generally outlined in your Safety Training Document). A written work procedure must be developed for all significant aspects.

Plant Register, Plant Risk Assessments

Some equipment is identified as ‘Plant’ because of government regulations. A register of Plant in the work area must be maintained together with plant risk assessments, risk control measures and work procedures.

Manual Handling Assessments

You will ensure that Manual Handling Risk Assessments are completed (by appropriately trained people) and filed for all identified manual handling tasks in your work area, and that risk control measures are incorporated into work procedures.

Field Work Assessments

You will ensure that Field Work risk assessments are completed and filed for all off-campus work, and that itineraries and records are filed in your work area. It should be possible to cross-check the vehicle log books against these records.

Chemical Inventory

You will ensure that your work area has an inventory of Chemicals stored in the work area. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for all hazardous chemicals used in the work area must be readily accessible.

Procedures for Selection, Use and Maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment

If your work procedures include the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) you must maintain records to show that it is appropriate for the purpose, that it is used and maintained appropriately, and that users are properly trained.

Casual Visitors

You will ensure that casual visitors to the work area are appropriately trained / escorted and are aware of all relevant hazards.

Unsupervised Personnel

You will ensure that appropriate measures are in place in the work area to safeguard the entry of unsupervised personnel. This includes the provision of security measures and/or appropriate warning signage.

Staff, students and visitors