Draft CAI-Vic Occupational Health and Safety Policy

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This policy recognises that the health and safety of all CBV service users, volunteers, staff and others at Computerbank Victoria (both on-site and off-site) is the responsibility of the CBV management committee under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1985. In fulfilling this responsibility, the CBV management committee has a duty to provide and maintain, so far as is practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risk to health. This includes;

• Providing and maintaining safe systems of work;
• Making and monitoring arrangements for the safe use, handling, storage and transport of plant and substances;
• Maintaining the workplace in a safe and healthy condition;
  Providing adequate facilities to protect the welfare of all CBV service users, volunteers, staff and others; and
• Providing information, training and supervision for CBV service users, volunteers, staff and others enabling them to work in a safe and healthy manner.

The CBV Health and Safety Officer is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of this policy. The CBV Health and Safety Officer(s) will be appointed by the CBV management committee.

CBV's main areas of concern for health and safety include: General Health and Safety, Workshop Health and Safety, Kitchen Area Health and Safety and Off-site Health and Safety. These areas are documented in the following sections of this document.

In fulfilling the objectives of this policy, the CBV management committee is committed to regular consultation with service users, volunteers, staff and others to ensure that the policy operates effectively, and that health and safety issues are reviewed regularly.

Responsibilities of CBV Management Committee and CBV Health and Safety Officer(s)

• Is responsible for the effective implementation of the CBV health and safety policy;
  Must observe, implement and fulfil its responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1985.
• Must ensure that the agreed procedures for regular consultation between the CBV management committee and those with designated health and safety responsibilities are followed;
• Must make regular assessments of health and safety performance and resources in co-operation with those with designated health and safety functions;
• Must ensure that all specific policies operating within CBV pertaining to health and safety (fire and explosion, dangerous goods, noise, training, first aid and systems of work) are periodically revised and consistent with CBV health and safety objectives;
• Must provide information, training and supervision for all at CBV in the correct use of equipment and tools throughout the organisation; and
• Must be informed of incidents and accidents occurring on and off CBV premises so that health and safety performances can be accurately monitored and so that insurance claims can be thoroughly documented. (See section on Accident / Incident Reporting)

Responsibilities of CBV Service users, Volunteers, Staff and Others

• Have a duty to take the care of which they are capable for their own health and safety under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1985 and of others affected by their actions at work:
• Should comply with the safety procedures and directions agreed between the CBV management committee and CBV representatives with designated health and safety functions:
• Must not wilfully interfere with or misuse items or facilities provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare of all at CBV and;
• Must act in accordance with agreed CBV procedures for accident and incident reporting, and should report any potential and actual hazards to the designated CBV health and safety representatives.
• This policy will be regularly reviewed in the light of legislation and CBV organisational changes.

CBV committee of management seeks co-operation from all service users, volunteers, staff and others in realising our health and safety objectives and creating a safe working environment.

General Health and Safety

No running, blood and other human waste spills, tidy as you go. Putting things away. Wash hands after toilet and before handling food. Lifting heavy equipment. Rubbish bins. Carrying drinks around. Food and drink in workshop and training areas. Breaks for every hour spent in front of computer screen (continuous).

Training Room Health and Safety

Ergonomics, cables, proper electrical safety practices, 5 minute break rule. Food and drink.

Workshop Health and Safety

Correct Electrical safety practices. Lifting heavy equipment. Closed toe shoe wear. Practice tying hair back if working with open computer boxes. Tidy cables. Safety switches. Fire equipment for dealing with electrical fires

Kitchen Health and Safety

Clean as you go. Correct Electrical safety practices, warnings for cooking equipment that gets hot and has potential to burn others. Not too many in the area at one time. Lifting heavy equipment. Fire equipment for different types of fires occurring in the kitchen

Off-site Health and Safety

Two people to attend when an off-site visit is required. Take mobile phone. Record details of whereabouts, time left and time due back. If driving a service user - must have full licence and full comprehensive insurance for vehicle. Lifting heavy equipment.

Accident and Incident Reports

All accidents and incidents should be reported in the accident and incident report log book. This can be found in the office in the general form and resource drawer. If the report log book is unavailable or inaccessible the incident / accident can be recorded on a sheet of paper and should be handed to the CBV Health and Safety officer or to CBV Committee of management.

Please use the format provided in the log book, that is include time and date of incident, names of witnesses present, nature of incident or accident, action taken, resolution and if any follow up is required. Please try to include as many details as possible.

Grievances

See Grievance Policy and Procedures.

Working towards Accessibility for all

This section acknowledges that CBV is not yet completely accessible to all groups and that we should work towards making this possible. This section lists the current requirements (and if possible the costs) CBV would need to meet in order to be accessible for all. Suggested remedies are given until more concrete solutions can be implemente

• Access Ramps are required for people with wheelchairs, scooters and other mobility devices. (Investigate acquiring ramps or suitable planks for this purpose)
• Disability access toilet facilities are also required. Current situation precludes people in wheelchairs and scooters from using the toilets. (CBV to provide aid when possible and if convenient)
• TTY facilities for the hearing impaired. (David Hatton has a lead on this)
  Information and forms in languages other then English. Also Braille. (Interpreters and services - Penni Diffey is looking into this)