• Section 1 - Purpose and Scope
• Section 2 - Definitions 
• Section 3 - General Principles 
• Section 4 - Roles and Responsibilities 
• Section 5 - Records of Documentation 
• Section 6 - References 
• Section 7 - Related Documents 

Section 1 - Purpose and Scope

(1) The purpose of this Procedure is to ensure that all employees at Southern Cross University (SCU) have clearly defined workplace health and safety (WHS) responsibilities and to ensure appropriate and competent resources are available to manage WHS risks and deliver WHS objectives, targets, and programs.  

(2) All employees, students and others including both independent contractors and contractors under SCU control are to be made aware of and follow this procedure.  

(3) This Procedure applies to all SCU Work Units and sites. The procedure aligns with WHS legislation in the relevant jurisdictions SCU operates in. 

Section 2 - Definitions 

Section 3 - General Principles 

(4) The SCU Executive at SCU has overall accountability for the effectiveness of the WHS Management System and the provision of resources as required to implement it. The accountabilities and responsibilities for the implementation of specific aspects of the WHS management are described below.  

(5) Within each Work Unit, levels of responsibility shall be assigned to all employees with management responsibility. Each level of management shall have levels of responsibilities cascaded and assigned as appropriate.  

(6) Responsibilities are considered from two perspectives: 

1. Individual responsibilities – relating to specific roles of individuals at different levels at SCU, and 
2. Governance structure – through boards, committees, and decision-making groups responsible for the management and oversight of WHS. 

Individual Responsibilities 

(7) SCU has nominated several individual roles that have responsibilities with the management, oversight, and delivery of WHS across the University.  

Governance Structures 

(8) SCU has nominated several boards, committees, and management teams that have responsibilities regarding the management and oversight of WHS.  

(9) These have been extracted from the SCU Enterprise Risk Management Framework.  

Training 

(10) SCU will ensure that all levels of responsibility understand their roles and responsibilities via: 

1. Individual position or role descriptions 
2. Induction training, and 
3. Discussion of the performance of allocated health, safety, and wellbeing responsibilities during performance reviews. 
4. Records of evidence of training shall be maintained by the relevant level of the organisation as per WHSMP06: WHS Training and Competency Procedure. 

Section 4 - Roles and Responsibilities 

University Council  

(11) The SCU Council has the following WHS responsibilities: 

1. Demonstrate commitment to WHS and set examples for employees. 
2. Ensure regulatory compliance with standards and procedures. 
3. Maintain WHS management systems meeting policy, legal, and regulatory requirements. 
4. Review WHS risks periodically and consider implications in decisions. 
5. Oversight of the development and alignment WHS strategy with university objectives. 
6. Agree on and monitor WHS objectives, targets, and performance. 
7. Provide adequate WHS training and resources for roles. 
8. Review and learn from WHS incidents and trends and ensure corrective actions. 
9. Ensure  crisis management processes for incidents are implemented. 
10. Cooperate with regulators and WHS Manager on legislative requirements. 
11. Monitor and report WHS performance, maintain relevant records, and track progress against objectives. 

Operational Responsibilities 

(12) The SCU Vice Chancellor has the following WHS responsibilities: 

1. Foster a positive WHS culture with continuous improvement and leading by example. 
2. Appoint competent resources for WHS roles based on risk profile, including an advisor for WHS duties. 
3. Allocate resources for WHS systems and training for direct reports. 
4. Manage key stakeholder and regulatory relationships. 
5. Comply with WHS legislative requirements and collaborate with authorities. 
6. Ensure compliance with WHS policy and legal requirements is monitored through plans and reviews. 
7. Take actions to achieve WHS objectives and address deficiencies. 
8. Implement disciplinary measures for WHS breaches as needed. 

Vice Presidents/Pro/Deputy Vice-Chancellor 

(13) Vice Presidents/Pro/Deputy Vice Chancellors have the following WHS responsibilities: 

1. Be aware of, monitor and control critical hazards and controls applicable to their work unit 
2. Ensure compliance with WHS policies, procedures by persons involved in their work unit’s undertaking. 
3. Incorporate WHS risks in the Enterprise risk register and apply controls. 
4. Provide oversight of Work Unit WHS performance, reporting, and sharing lessons from incidents. 
5. Appoint and allocate appropriate WHS resources for risk management and training. 
6. Foster a positive WHS culture, promote continuous improvement, and lead by example. 
7. Cooperate with Regulators/Authorities and WHS to meet legislative requirements. 
8. Review safety performance, discuss with management, and take corrective actions as needed, including disciplinary measures for WHS breaches. 

Head of Work Unit 

(14) The Head of the Work Unit has the following WHS responsibilities: 

1. Ensure compliance with WHS policies, procedures, and controls. 
2. Ensure WHS compliance, communication, and risk management. 
3. Provide oversight for Work Unit WHS performance. 
4. Promote a positive WHS culture and competency. 
5. Manage WHS incidents and reporting. 
6. Obtain and follow WHS professional advice. 
7. Coordinate with regulators and WHS teams. 
8. Conduct audit and assurance activities and ensure action on findings. 
9. Engage with stakeholders on WHS matters. 
10. Report accidents and incidents promptly. 
11. Enforce disciplinary measures for WHS breaches. 
12. Managers and Supervisors 
13. Managers and Supervisors have the following WHS responsibilities: 
14. Ensure compliance with WHS policies, procedures, and controls. 
15. Ensure access to competent WHS advice and training. 
16. Provide resources and approval for safe activities. 
17. Cooperate with regulators, WHS Manager, and Partners. 
18. Monitor and act on regulatory visits and incidents. 
19. Conduct assurance activities. 
20. Engage stakeholders on safety matters as needed. 
21. Report and record all WHS incidents promptly. 
22. Review Work Unit WHS performance regularly. 
23. Enforce disciplinary measures for WHS breaches. 

Employees 

(15) All employees have the following WHS responsibilities: 

1. Complete required WHS training and stay updated. 
2. Prioritise health and safety for oneself and others. 
3. Ensure compliance with WHS policies, procedures, and control  
4. Report WHS concerns promptly to relevant personnel. 
5. Cooperate with SCU on WHS matters. 
6. Understand and adhere to WHS procedures and risk assessments. 
7. Notify relevant management of unsafe conditions or practices. 
8. Work within established safety controls and systems. 
9. Support WHS objectives and targets. 
10. Use equipment only with proper training. 
11. Wear issued PPE correctly. 
12. Request additional WHS training if needed. 
13. Follow instructions from authorities and supervisors. 
14. Report accidents, defects, or hazards promptly. 
15. Participate in audits and reviews as required. 
16. To cease work if there is a reasonable concern of a serious risk or an immediate or imminent hazard poses serious risk to health and safety 
17. To inform supervisor if work is ceased. 

WHS Team 

WHS Manager 

(16) The WHS Manager has the following responsibilities: 

1. Develop and lead the University's health and safety strategy. 
2. Implement and maintain WHS policies, procedures, and controls. 
3. Provide oversight and reporting on WHS performance. 
4. Develop and maintain WHS management systems. 
5. Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory WHS requirements. 
6. Assess and manage WHS risks effectively. 
7. Promote visible leadership in WHS. 
8. Communicate progress against WHS plans and objectives. 
9. Ensure adequate WHS resources and training. 
10. Provide WHS advice to management and maintain relationships with regulators. 
11. Investigate and report accidents/incidents, sharing lessons learned. 
12. Develop and monitor a WHS compliance assurance program. 
13. Support SCU in new research, sites, and acquisitions. 
14. Maintain accurate WHS data and reporting. 
15. Regularly review and address WHS incidents and performance. 

WHS Business Partners  

(17) WHS Business Partners have the following responsibilities: 

1. Assist work units with the application of procedures.  
2. Support understanding and compliance with SCU standards and regulations. 
3. Assist in WHS risk assessments and controls implementation. 
4. Actively promote WHS culture and plans. 
5. Maintain skills and stay updated on legal requirements. 
6. Advise on WHS training needs. 
7. Cooperate with regulators and WHS Manager on legal requirements. 
8. Report incidents and support investigations. 
9. Support WHS inspections, audits, and corrective actions. 
10. Ensure accurate WHS data in RiskWare and meet reporting requirements. 

Section 5 - Records of Documentation 

(18) All relevant documentation will be recorded and kept in accordance with WHS Legislation and other legislative obligations including:  

1. Documentation of WHS training provided to employees relating to their roles and responsibilities, including the date, type of training, and participants. 
2. Section 6 - Revision and approval history 
3. This procedure will be reviewed as per nominated review dates or because of other events, such as: 
4. Internal and external audit outcomes. 
5. Legislative changes. 
6. Outcomes from management reviews. 
7. Incidents. 

Section 6 - References 

Section 7 - Related Documents