Pathways to Better Living Pty Ltd – Work Health and Safety Policy
Introduction
The work health and safety (WHS) policy aims to ensure all work activities are carried out safely, and with all possible measures taken to remove or reduce risks to the health, safety and welfare of workers, contractors, participants, authorised visitors, and anyone else who may be affected by our operations. The health and wellbeing of everyone affected is the highest priority.
Creating and maintaining a safe work environment is a legal requirement and a critical one for the long term success of the business. It can help us:
- Retain staff
- Maximise employee productivity
- Minimise injury and illness in the workplace
- Reduce costs of injury and workers compensation
- Ensure we meet legal obligations and employee responsibilities
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is clothing or equipment designed to be worn by someone to protect them from the risk of injury or illness.
Examples of PPE include:
- Hearing protection e.g. ear muffs and ear plugs
- Respiratory protective equipment
- Eye and face protection, e.g. facemasks*, safety glasses and face shields
- Safety helmets, e.g. hardhats
- Fall arrest harnesses for working at heights
- Skin protection, e.g. gloves*, gauntlets and sunscreen*
- Clothing, e.g. high visibility vests, aprons*, life jackets and coveralls
- Footwear, e.g. safety boots and rubber boots
*Indicates PPE most likely to be used when providing NDIS supports and services
- Applies to all supports and services provided to all participants
- Applies to all workers including key management personnel, full time workers, part time workers, casual workers, contractors and volunteers
WHS commitments
- We are committed to creating and maintaining a safe work environment
- We are committed to complying with all relevant commonwealth, state or territory work health and safety acts and legislation
- We will proactively manage risks in the workplace
- We will not compromise the health or safety of anyone in the workplace
- We will consult and engage with workers in relation to WHS matters
Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- PPE must be suitable for the nature of the work or hazard
- PPE must be a suitable size and fit and reasonably comfortable for the person required to use it
- PPE must be maintained, repaired or replaced including keeping it:
- Clean and hygienic
- In good working order
- When PPE is required, it must be used or worn by workers so far as reasonably practical.
Worker WHS responsibilities
- Comply with instructions given for work health and safety
- Use any provided personal protective equipment (PPE) and be properly trained in how to use it
- Not wilfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided for work health and safety in the workplace
- Not wilfully place others at risk
- Not wilfully injure themselves
Key management personnel WHS responsibilities
- Take a leading role to promote safe work practices across the business
- Provide a safe work premises, assess risks and implement appropriate measures for controlling them
- Ensure safe use and handling of goods and substances
- Provide and maintain safe machinery and materials
- Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers where relevant
- Ensure information, training and instructions are provided on the correct use, wearing, storage and maintenance of PPE
- Assess workplace layout and provide safe systems of work
- Provide workers with information about and training in:
- Infection Control Practices
- Use, storage and maintenance of PPE
- Waste Management
- Relevant WHS risk management measures
- Provide a suitable working environment and facilities
- Ensure that WHS related matters are effectively communicated to workers
- Have insurance and workers compensation insurance for your employees
- Ensure there are procedures for emergencies and drills in place
