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Department of State Growth

Work Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy Statement

Policy statement

The Department of State Growth believes, and is committed to, ensuring that our people, and those affected by the work we do, have a right to return home healthy, safe and well each day.

We know that healthy people, who feel safe and valued in their work, are more productive and better able to contribute to the communities in which they work and live.

We will ensure that we provide and maintain a safe and healthy work environment and not put workers, or others, at risk of injury or illness by complying with the requirements of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 and the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012.

Our commitment

  • Foster a strong health, safety and positive culture into everyday business activities and encourage worker innovation and involvement in health, safety and wellbeing (WHS&W).
  • Uphold a culture of zero tolerance to any form of violence and work actively to support workers affected by violence in a timely manner.
  • Actively promote positive mental wellbeing to ensure our workplaces develop a positive work environment that supports and encourages good mental wellbeing through a genuine, continuous commitment across all levels of the organisation.
  • Identify risks and use sound risk management processes to eliminate or, where elimination is not reasonably practicable, minimise risk to the lowest possible level, with regular review of remaining risks and effectiveness of controls.
  • Manage the risk of COVID-19 in the workplace and implement control measures to minimise these risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
  • Engage in meaningful consultation with workers, their representatives and others on WHS&W issues to develop positive working relationships, greater awareness and commitment.
  • Investigate incidents in accordance with legal and policy requirements so that action can be taken to manage the incident, prevent further incidents and provide support where required.
  • Provide appropriate information, training and instruction to facilitate a safe and productive work and learning environment.
  • Support and promote worker wellbeing that acknowledges the benefits to the individual in their everyday life, mitigating potential health risks and influencing the department’s safety performance.
  • Provide return to work programs to facilitate safe and effective return to work for workers, where possible, for both work-related and non-work-related injuries and health conditions.
  • Establish measurable objectives for WHS&W to guide continuous improvement aimed at the elimination of work-related injury and illness.
  • Disseminate relevant WHS&W information to workers, clients and visitors by the most appropriate means.

Responsibilities

Each of us is responsible for our own health, safety and wellbeing and that of others who may be affected by the work we do.

The Secretary and Executive Committee will:

  • Exercise due diligence to ensure the department complies with its obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
  • Foster a strong health, safety and wellbeing culture.
  • Ensure health, safety and wellbeing is included in corporate plans.

All managers are to:

  • Implement this policy in their area of control.
  • Implement safe systems of work and WHS&W policies, procedures and guidelines in their area of control, ensure that risks are managed so far as is reasonably practicable and strive for continuous safety improvement and a positive workplace.
  • Supervise workers and ensure they receive any necessary instruction, information and training to safely perform their duties.
  • Engage in meaningful conversation with workers and their representatives on WHS&W matters.
  • Ensure all incidents, near misses and hazards are reported and investigated to ascertain the circumstances leading up to the incident, and appropriate action is taken to prevent further incidents from occurring.
  • Implement recommendations from health, safety and wellbeing audits in their area of control.
  • Support workers with injuries or illnesses in line with return-to-work program and other guidelines.

Workers are to:

  • Take reasonable care of their own health, safety and wellbeing and ensure their acts or omissions do not adversely affect themselves or others.
  • Comply with reasonable instructions, policies or procedures of the department, in relation to WHS&W.
  • Report incidents, near misses and hazards, participate in training to safely perform their duties and participate in consultation in WHS&W matters affecting them.
  • Meet their obligations under return-to-work program and other guidelines to support their return to work following injury or illness.

Others (including clients and visitors) at the workplace are to:

  • Take reasonable care of their own health, safety and wellbeing and ensure their acts or omissions do not adversely affect others.
  • Comply with reasonable instructions that are given by the department, in relation to work health, safety and wellbeing.

Kim Evans
SECRETARY
21 December 2021
Date of next review:  21 December 2024