Workplace Safety Policy Framework

Policy

DOCUMENT DETAILS

Document Owner	People and Culture
Approval Date	20 November 2022
Release Date	21 November 2022
Compliance Date	21 November 2022
Review Date	November 2024
Updated	20 April 2023
	3 May 2023
Version History
20 April 2023	Addition of First Aid section
3 May 2023	Addition of Return to Work Program (Work-Related Injury Management) section Minor updates

introduction and context

INTRODUCTION

Policy in Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) is developed to support the implementation of consistent and comprehensive practices to guide quality Catholic learning and teaching in systemic schools in the Diocese of Wollongong.

Policy is developed within the context of specific documents and frameworks. These include:

CONTEXT

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) seeks to create vibrant Catholic school communities where every student finds meaning and purpose in their life through experiencing continual growth in faith and improvement in learning. In creating these communities CEDoW recognises that the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone in the workplace is central to the mission and success of our schools and offices and prioritises strategies to maintain healthy workplace environments.

Schools and offices within CEDoW are committed to the overall health, safety and wellbeing of workers, students and others. Through the development of contemporary systems and processes, CEDoW encourages individual accountability and responsibility and works through a continuous improvement cycle to build robust cultures of health, safety and wellbeing.

This Policy has been developed to support workers in meeting their compliance obligations according to Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW), and the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW), the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (NSW), the Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW), the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 (NSW) and the Workers Compensation Regulation 2016 (NSW).

EXPECTATIONS

It is expected that workers will take all reasonable measures to comply with this Policy.

This Policy must be implemented in conjunction with the following policies and documents where relevant:

• CEDoW Administration of Medication in Schools Policy

• CEDoW Code of Conduct in the Protection of Children and Young People

• CEDoW Complaints Policy

• CEDoW COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

• CEDoW Maintaining Right Relationships Policy

• CEDoW Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace Policy

• CEDoW Preventing Harassment in the Workplace Policy

• CEDoW Preventing Workplace Bullying Policy

• CEDoW Student Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Policy

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE (CEO) RESPONSIBILITIES:

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong:

holds a workers compensation policy for work-related injury and a Certificate of Currency.

CEDoW People and Culture is responsible for the management of work health and safety at school and system level according to the CEDoW Workplace Health and Safety Roles and Responsibilities.

CEDoW People and Culture:

appoints a dedicated Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Team

The CEDoW Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Team has the responsibility to support schools and offices to meet their legal accountabilities in relation to work health and safety by:

managing the ongoing development, implementation and review of the CEDoW Workplace Safety Policy Framework

supporting school and CEO Leadership to execute their work health and safety obligations

designing work health and safety procedures that effectively manage risks

promoting psychologically safe workplaces

identifying training and professional development opportunities to support workers to carry out their work safely

regularly auditing, reviewing and evaluating existing CEDoW work health and safety programs and procedures in schools and CEO sites

The members of the CEDoW Leadership Team (as officers under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW)) exercise due diligence to safeguard CEDoW with its work health and safety obligations according to CEDoW Leadership Team Due Diligence.

1 healthy and safe workplace

principals/SUPERVISORS MUST:

1.1	inform workers of the Policy and all relevant requirements to ensure duty of care
1.2	make a link to the Policy on the school website
1.3	advise parents/carers of their obligation to support the Policy when they are visiting the school
1.4	provide inductions for workers specific to work health and safety
1.5	provide appropriate training and supervision to enable a safe work environment
1.6	provide appropriate safety equipment and resources to enable a safe work environment
1.7	have appropriate reporting procedures to record unsafe and unhealthy situations
1.8	adopt risk management to deal with unsafe and unhealthy situations
1.9	establish a Work Health and Safety Committee to allow workers the opportunity to consult on and share information about work health and safety that refers to:
	1.9.1	NSW Code of Practice: Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination, and
	1.9.2	Participating in Effective Health and Safety Committees: A Guide for Committee Members
1.10	regularly monitor and review the effectiveness of the Work Health and Safety Committee so that it remains effective

workers MUST:

1.11	take reasonable care for the safety, welfare and wellbeing of themselves and others with whom they come into contact as part of their employment/engagement including:
	1.11.1	avoiding doing anything that would affect the safety of themselves or others at work
	1.11.2	working safely and following reasonable health and safety instructions from the Principal/Supervisor
	1.11.3	seeking advice if they are unsure how to safely perform the work to be undertaken
	1.11.4	using personal protective equipment (PPE) in the way they have been trained and instructed to use it
	1.11.5	reporting injuries and unsafe and unhealthy situations to their Principal/Supervisor or Work Health and Safety Committee
1.12	take reasonable care for the safety, welfare and wellbeing of students with whom they come into contact, in relation to their specific role and responsibility, by:
	1.12.1	providing adequate supervision of students when they are using grounds, premises and equipment
	1.12.2	implementing strategies to prevent bullying, abuse or other harmful behaviours from occurring
	1.12.3	following procedures relating to student safety and wellbeing including reporting concerns and risk of significant harm utilising the *CEDoW Making a Risk of Significant Harm (RoSH) Report*
	1.12.4	providing medical assistance, if competent to do so, or seeking assistance from a medically trained person to aid a student who is injured or becomes sick
1.13	take reasonable care for the safety, welfare and wellbeing of students, including reasonable action to protect students from known hazards or risk of harm that is reasonably foreseeable, taking into consideration a student’s maturity and ability
1.14	take reasonable care for the safety, welfare and wellbeing of students during activities and functions conducted or arranged by schools where students are in the care of workers, including undertaking a risk assessment before the activity is undertaken
1.15	be aware that a single serious failure to exercise appropriate duty of care, or persistent repeated failures, may constitute neglect or negligence

2 consultation

SCHOOLS/CEO SITES MUST:

2.1	consult with workers, so far as is reasonably practicable on health and safety matters arising as a result of activities undertaken while working or as part of the work environment
2.2	provide opportunities for workers to express their views and contribute to decisions relating to their health and safety
2.3	consult with others, so far as is reasonably practicable, on health and safety matters where there are multiple duty holders having responsibility for safety at the school/offices
2.4	communicate important health and safety information and updates to workers
2.5	maintain records of consultation with workers
2.6	provide advice to workers of the purpose and operation of the Work Health and Safety Committee including:
	2.6.1	members of the committee
	2.6.2	dates of the committee meeting
	2.6.3	avenues to raise work health and safety issues

3 ROLES AND responsibilities

CEDoW leadership team MUST:

3.1	meet their legal obligations as Officers to exercise due diligence and apply CEDoW Leadership Team Due Diligence, as far as reasonably practicable

principals MUST:

3.2	meet their legal obligations as an Officer to exercise due diligence and apply Principal Due Diligence, as far as reasonably practicable

all workers MUST:

3.3	act in good faith in maintaining a safe and healthy workplace
3.4	be aware of the responsibilities set out in Roles and Responsibilities: Workplace Safety and Wellbeing that are particular to their role as either a:
	3.4.1	worker
	3.4.2	CEO Team Leader, Assistant Principal, School Business Manager or Senior School Support Officer
	3.4.3	member of a Work Health and Safety Committee

SCHOOLS/CEO SITES MUST:

3.5	ensure students are made aware of their responsibilities as set out in Roles and Responsibilities: Workplace Safety and Wellbeing
3.6	ensure visitors are made aware of their responsibilities as set out in Roles and Responsibilities: Workplace Safety and Wellbeing

4 hazard identification

SCHOOLS MUST:

4.1	understand work health and safety hazards and risks relative to the School/CEO setting
4.2	advise workers on the appropriate avenue to report hazards that they identify in the workplace
4.3	schedule workplace inspections at minimum once a term, two weeks prior to each Work Health and Safety Committee meeting
4.4	complete workplace inspections by:
	4.4.1	nominating at least one member of the Work Health and Safety Committee and one other staff member, who is either a member of the leadership team or a staff member with specialist knowledge of a learning area i.e. Science, VET or TAS
	4.4.2	utilising the relevant CEDoW Workplace Inspection Checklist for the area being inspected
4.5	conduct regular reviews of all student and staff injury data, at least once per term, to identify relevant hazards attributed to the injury or illness
4.6	record all hazards identified from workplace inspections and student and staff injury data reviews on the risk register
4.7	address any hazards identified according to the *CEDoW WHS Risk Management Procedure*
4.8	action hazards raised by workers
4.9	communicate new or adjusted controls to workers and any relevant stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe

work health and safety committees must:

4.10	support the School/CEO in undertaking workplace inspections using the relevant CEDoW Workplace Inspection Checklist
4.11	support the School/CEO to address any hazards identified according to the CEDoW WHS Risk Management Procedure
4.12	support the School/CEO to communicate key resolutions to hazards to workers and any relevant stakeholders

workers MUST:

4.13	participate in scheduled workplace inspections when requested
4.14	complete the CEDoW Student Notification of Injury Form for all student injuries
4.15	complete the CEDoW Staff Notification of Injury Form for any injury or illness
4.16	conduct daily checks of the work environment or activities being undertaken as part of their role for potential hazards, and where safe and possible to do so, rectify any issue to prevent injury or illness
4.17	report identified hazards to the Principal/Supervisor at the time the hazard was identified or as soon as reasonably practicable

5 risk management

SCHOOLS/CEO MUST:

5.1	address hazards in the workplace
5.2	assess, evaluate and treat hazards by:
	5.2.1	adhering to the CEDoW WHS Risk Management Procedure
	5.2.2	eliminating or minimising risk of injury to an acceptable level referencing hierarchy of control measures
	5.2.3	consulting with the Work Health and Safety Committee
5.3	record and implement the identified controls on the risk register
5.4	communicate new or adjusted controls to workers and any relevant stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe
5.5	conduct regular review of risk assessments to confirm the ongoing effectiveness and management of controls

work health and safety committees MUST:

5.6	support the School/CEO to assess, evaluate and treat hazards by:
	5.6.1	adhering to the CEDoW WHS Risk Management Procedure
	5.6.2	eliminating or minimising risk of injury to an acceptable level referencing hierarchy of control measures
5.7	support the School/CEO to communicate new or adjusted controls to workers and any relevant stakeholders
5.8	support the School/CEO to conduct regular reviews of risk assessments to confirm the ongoing effectiveness and management of controls
5.9	address risk management actions at each Work Health and Safety Committee meeting

workers MUST:

5.10	adhere to the CEDoW WHS Risk Management Procedure when relevant
5.11	comply with identified controls as communicated by the Principal/Delegate

6 notifiable incidents: mandatory reporting

SCHOOLS/ceo MUST:

6.1	provide immediate first aid including calling an ambulance, transporting to hospital if relevant and providing the individual with appropriate care
6.2	contact SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 immediately when a notifiable incident as defined in Safe Work Australia Incident Notification Information Sheet has occurred and provide the following information:
	6.2.1	an overview of what happened, how it happened, including date, time and location
	6.2.2	information about the individual who was injured (worker, student, visitor, parent, other)
	6.2.3	information about the injury, including treatment received and hospital details, if they were taken to hospital
	6.2.4	immediate action taken to make the site safe
	6.2.5	further safety action taken, or actions that will be taken, to prevent the incident occurring again
	6.2.6	take care not to disturb the site until SafeWork NSW releases the site
6.3	contact the CEDoW Workplace Safety and Wellbeing Team after making the necessary reporting to SafeWork NSW
6.4	complete the relevant CEDoW Injury Notification Form
6.5	participate in any ongoing investigation of the incident undertaken either by CEDoW or SafeWork NSW
6.6	respond to any recommendations that arise from the investigation of the incident
6.7	support any related worker’s compensation and return to work, when the incident involves a CEDoW staff member

7 first aid

SCHOOLS/CEO SITES MUST:

7.1	establish a First Aid Management System by:
	7.1.1	referring to the CEDoW First Aid Manual to complete the CEDoW First Aid Management System - Template, and
	7.1.2	documenting the school/CEO site’s First Aid Response Procedures including any site-specific first aid response protocols that are supplemental to those set out in the *CEDoW Minimum First Aid Response Procedure*
7.2	maintain records of all first aid administered via the relevant CEDoW Injury Notification Form and, in the case of a student, a sickbay entry in the CEDoW electronic Student Information System (eSIS)
7.3	communicate the school/CEO site’s First Aid Management System to workers annually or upon commencement, specifically referring to:
	7.3.1	identification of the school/CEO site’s designated first aid officers
	7.3.2	the location of first aid facilities and first aid equipment including first aid kits and automated external defibrillator
	7.3.3	the expectations of workers to administer first aid to those in need, in line with their level of training
	7.3.4	the school/CEO site’s First Aid Response Procedures
7.4	conduct regular reviews of the school/CEO site’s First Aid Management System, at least annually
7.5	advise workers of any amendments made to the school/CEO site’s First Aid Management System within a reasonable timeframe
7.6	advise workers of any amendments made to the school/CEO site’s existing First Aid Response Procedures or the introduction of new First Aid Response Procedures within a reasonable timeframe

work health and safety committee MUST:

7.7	support the regular reviews, at least annually, of the school/CEO site’s First Aid Management System and First Aid Response Procedures

FIRST AID OFFICERS MUST:

7.8	be aware of and understand the first aid risks identified in the school/CEO site’s First Aid Management System
7.9	be aware of and understand the school/CEO site’s First Aid Response Procedures
7.10	complete first aid training according to the CEDoW First Aid Manual
7.11	adhere to their school/CEO site’s First Aid Management System in particular:
	7.11.1	the responsibility in accordance with their duty of care to provide first aid when required, in line with their level of training
	7.11.2	the recording of any first aid treatment they have administered
7.12	complete the relevant CEDoW Injury Notification Form to record any injury or illness treated
7.13	support the school/CEO site to maintain all first aid facilities and first aid equipment, as required

WORKERS MUST:

7.14	complete first aid training according to the CEDoW First Aid Manual
7.15	adhere to their school/CEO site’s First Aid Management System in particular:
	7.15.1	the responsibility in accordance with their duty of care to provide first aid when required, in line with their level of training
	7.15.2	the recording of any first aid treatment they have administered
7.16	complete the relevant CEDoW Injury Notification Form to record any injury or illness treated

8 RETURN TO WORK PROGRAM (WORK-RELATED INJURY MANAGEMENT)

return to work coordinator MUST:

8.1	notify the insurer of all work-related injuries within 48 hours of the injury
8.2	participate in any injury investigations as required
8.3	inform the staff member of their rights and obligations in relation to a work-related injury
8.4	adhere to the *CEDoW Return to Work Procedure*
8.5	utilise the CEDoW Quality Return to Work Practices to support a staff member to recover at work
8.6	advise the staff member that the insurer’s obligations include:
	8.6.1	appointing a case manager
	8.6.2	coordinating all aspects of the management of a claim
8.7	advise the staff member that their treating doctor and other treating medical and allied health professionals’ obligations include:
	8.7.1	assessing, diagnosing and treating the staff member
	8.7.2	assessing the staff member’s capacity and supporting their recovery at work
	8.7.3	completing all necessary documentation
8.8	liaise with the insurer on a case-by-case basis for their recommendation for an approved workplace rehabilitation provider, when required
8.9	advise the staff member of the approved workplace rehabilitation provider’s obligations, where relevant
8.10	make early contact with the staff member’s treating doctor and other treating medical and allied health professionals to discuss their normal duties, available suitable work and opportunities for workplace modifications or assistive equipment
8.11	liaise with relevant stakeholders, including the insurer, treating doctor, other treating medical and allied health professionals and approved workplace rehabilitation provider
8.12	assess all rehabilitation needs with the consent of the staff member
8.13	participate in the development of, and comply with the obligations set out in, the staff member’s Injury Management Plan, written by the insurer
8.14	assess the availability of suitable duties in consultation with the staff member and their Principal/Supervisor
8.15	support and monitor the progress of the staff member and communicate with all relevant stakeholders
8.16	maintain regular contact with the staff member throughout their recovery
8.17	maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the staff member

SCHOOLS/CEO SITES MUST:

8.18	provide a safe and healthy working environment for all CEDoW Staff recovering at work
8.19	promote a positive attitude toward workers compensation claims and recovery at work
8.20	display the If You Get Injured at Work poster in a visible area accessible to all CEDoW Staff
8.21	advise CEDoW Staff of the availability of workers compensation resources on the CEDoW Staff Gateway
8.22	advise CEDoW Staff of the *CEDoW Return to Work Procedure*
8.23	provide employment to the staff member that is both suitable and, so far as reasonably practicable, the same as, or equivalent to, their pre-injury employment
8.24	identify suitable duties in consultation with the staff member and the Return to Work Coordinator
8.25	participate in the development of and comply with the obligations set out in the staff member’s Injury Management Plan, written by the insurer
8.26	maintain regular contact with the staff member throughout their recovery
8.27	contact the Return to Work Coordinator with any concerns about a staff member’s return to work
8.28	maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the staff member

staff MUST:

8.29	notify their Principal/Supervisor as soon as possible after a work-related injury or illness occurs and complete the relevant CEDoW Injury Notification Form
8.30	nominate and provide details of their nominated treating doctor and other treating medical and allied health professionals to CEDoW
8.31	provide informed consent for CEDoW to exchange information regarding their injury management and recovery with the:
	8.31.1	insurer
	8.31.2	nominated treating doctor
	8.31.3	other treating medical and allied health professionals
	8.31.4	approved workplace rehabilitation provider
	8.31.5	State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA)
8.32	participate and cooperate in the development of their Injury Management Plan, developed by the insurer
8.33	take all reasonable measures to comply with the actions set out in the insurer’s Injury Management Plan
8.34	make all reasonable efforts to recover at work
8.35	be aware that they may seek support from their union representative, where relevant

Procedure

Implementation

SUPPORT MATERIAL

healthy and safe workplace

Workplace safety and wellbeing

consultation

Links to external websites relating to consultation are available on the CEDoW Gateway Workplace Safety and Wellbeing site.

ROLES AND responsibilities

Links to external websites relating to roles and responsibilities, including leadership commitment and accountability, are available on the CEDoW Gateway Workplace Safety and Wellbeing site.

hazard identification

Workplace hazard inspections

Links to external websites relating to workplace hazards are available on the CEDoW Gateway Workplace Safety and Wellbeing site.

risk management

Links to external websites relating to risk management are available on the CEDoW Gateway Workplace Safety and Wellbeing site.

notifiable incidents: mandatory reporting

Notifiable incidents

first aid

Links to external websites relating to first aid are available on the CEDoW Gateway Workplace Safety and Wellbeing site.

return to work program (work-related injury management)

Links to external websites relating to work-related injury management are available on the CEDoW Gateway Workplace Safety and Wellbeing site.

work health and safety POLICY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

POLICY RELEASE

The Work Health and Safety Policy was released at the Principals' Business Meeting on 21 November 2022 and is subject to change at any time.
CEDoW staff are expected to fully implement the Work Health and Safety Policy from 21 November 2022. Additional sections of the Policy will be released progressively, and CEDoW staff will be notified of each subsequent release. CEDoW staff are expected to comply with each new release of the Policy from the date specified in the notification(s), and as updated on the Policy Directory.

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

CEDoW staff are expected to fully implement the Work Health and Safety Policy from 21 November 2022. Anyone that determines they are unable to implement all expectations at any time must contact the Senior Professional Officer: Education Policy
Compliance with the Policy expectations occurs through CEDoW compliance processes

POLICY MONITORING

Personnel in CEDoW People and Culture are responsible for providing advice to the Senior Professional Officer: Education Policy of any changes to compliance requirements
A formal evaluation of the Work Health and Safety Policy will be conducted in November 2024.

POLICY PUBLICATION

The Work Health and Safety Policy is published on the CEDoW website under Education Policy. The Senior Professional Officer: Education Policy is responsible for ensuring the Policy’s version currency and accuracy.
CEDoW Staff should contact the Team Leader, Workplace Safety and Wellbeing for any clarifications regarding the Policy.

LEGISLATION

Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW)

Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (NSW)

Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW)

Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 (NSW)

Workers Compensation Regulation 2016 (NSW)

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Workplace Safety Policy Framework

Policy

DOCUMENT DETAILS

introduction and context

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT

EXPECTATIONS

1 healthy and safe workplace

principals/SUPERVISORS MUST:

workers MUST:

2 consultation

SCHOOLS/CEO SITES MUST:

3 ROLES AND responsibilities

CEDoW leadership team MUST:

principals MUST:

all workers MUST:

SCHOOLS/CEO SITES MUST:

4 hazard identification

SCHOOLS MUST:

work health and safety committees must:

workers MUST:

5 risk management

SCHOOLS/CEO MUST:

work health and safety committees MUST:

workers MUST:

6 notifiable incidents: mandatory reporting

SCHOOLS/ceo MUST:

7 first aid

SCHOOLS/CEO SITES MUST:

work health and safety committee MUST:

FIRST AID OFFICERS MUST:

WORKERS MUST:

8 RETURN TO WORK PROGRAM (WORK-RELATED INJURY MANAGEMENT)

return to work coordinator MUST:

SCHOOLS/CEO SITES MUST:

staff MUST:

Procedure

HEALTHY AND SAFE WORKPLACE

hazard identification

RISK MANAGEMENT

FIRST AID

return to work program (work-related injury management)

Implementation

SUPPORT MATERIAL

healthy and safe workplace

consultation

ROLES AND responsibilities

hazard identification

risk management

notifiable incidents: mandatory reporting

first aid

return to work program (work-related injury management)

work health and safety POLICY IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

POLICY RELEASE

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

POLICY MONITORING

POLICY PUBLICATION

LEGISLATION

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