Melbourne School of Engineering

Introduction

The Faculty recognises its obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to provide a forum for consultation between employee and management representatives for the provision of health and safety discussion. The Faculty also recognises the requirements of the Environmental Management System to ensure that environmental objectives and targets are recognised at a senior level.

EHS Committees

Each Department of the Faculty (or designated work group) will establish an Environment, Health and Safety Committee that discusses on a regular basis Environment, Health and Safety concerns of staff and students. Membership of these committees must comprise the nominated Safety Officer, the HSR and representatives, nominated by the Head of Department/General Manager, from all areas of Faculty.

All departmental committees will report to the Faculty Environment, Health and Safety Committee.

Membership Faculty EHS Committee

It is recommended that the committee chairperson be the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering or his/her nominee.

Membership will comprise a nominee with supervisory responsibility from each Department, and the Safety Officers from each Department. The Dean or Head of Department shall nominate representatives on the committee. The Safety Officer provides an advisory role to the Head of Department on all environment, health and safety matters. The minimum membership required for a quorum shall be six members of the committee one of which must be the Dean or nominee.

Meetings

The Committee shall meet a minimum of four (4) times per year.

Minutes

Minutes of each meeting will be taken, along with action items, and distributed to all staff via the Department web page and by email to the Faculty.

Terms of Reference

1. Departmental Committees are advisory committees, reporting to the Faculty through the Faculty Environmental Health and Safety Committee.
2. Departmental Committees advise Head of the Departments on all aspects of environment, health and safety in the Department. They also act on behalf of the Heads, subject to his/her direction, to implement policies and procedures in the context of the University's statutory responsibility in the area of Environment, Health and Safety .
3. The objective of Departmental Committees is to improve the environment, health and safety of staff and students who work in Departments.
4. Departmental Committees are responsible for making recommendations on policy and for advising and, where appropriate, initiating action within Departments with respect to:

• all environment, health and safety matters;
• developing and implementing measures designed to ensure a safe and healthy work and study environment for staff and students;
• reducing the number and severity of workplace injuries;
• education and training in safe work procedures;
• monitoring, reviewing and disseminating standards, relevant legislation, University guidelines and Department work procedures relating to environment health and safety;
• maintaining the accreditation of the Department under the Victorian WorkCover Authority's Safety MAP scheme.