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Title | Work Health and Safety Commitment Policy |
Policy Number | P74 |
Type | Council Policy |
Document Owner | Chief Executive Officer |
Approval Date | 20 January 2023 |
MaGiQ Document ID | 691449 |
Review Date | January 2026 |
Council Resolution Number | OC016/2023 |
Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) is committed to creating a safe working environment for all employees, contractors, volunteers, visitors and members of the public. CDRC is committed to the highest standards of Work Health and Safety (WHS) and Return to Work (RTW) through effective risk management, leadership, team work and individual commitment and responsibility; so that no one's health and safety is put at risk.
CDRC is committed to fostering a strong “Safety Central” culture that is built on the organisation’s values which are CRISP as follows:
CREATIVE
We want to create a culture of innovation within Council that encourages and shares ideas
RESPECT
Appreciation for cultural differences and everyone’s opinions
INTEGRITY
We want to create a workforce that is honest, dependable, loyal, trustworthy and reliable
SAFETY
Safety takes priority over all actions and we want everyone to arrive at work and go home from work safe
PATIENCE
We want to build a workforce that is able to deliver services and take time to actively listen to our community
To facilitate achievement of the policy objectives, the organisation will establish and maintain a structure which provides for a pro-active and collaborative culture where
safety takes priority over all actions, where everyone goes home safely.
The structure comprises supporting procedures that identify our key responsibilities and accountabilities for all workers and outlines the organisation’s commitment to:
This policy applies to all workers, as defined by Section 7 of the Work Health Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 in the provision of services, goods and works provided by the organisation.
Application of this policy will be as follows and failure to comply or observe a direction within this policy and associated procedures may be considered a breach of the terms of employment or contract and sufficient grounds for termination:
Executive Leadership Team (Includes the Chief Executive Officer and Directors) |
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Management (includes Regional Managers, Managers and Senior Coordinators – anyone who has supervisory or direct supervision of workers) |
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Workers |
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Risk and Work Health and Safety Team |
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This Policy is to be read in conjunction with the supporting policies and procedures/Codes of Practice listed in Appendix A.
This Policy should not be considered as the only document that may relate to work health and safety commitment; other tiers of government, agencies or organisations may have legislation or policies that also apply.
Date | Details |
Revised inclusion of roles and list of procedures | |
February 2012 | Revised, name change from Occupational Health and Safety Policy (268/2012) |
12 April 2013 | Fully revised to address new legislation (544/2013) |
27 September 2018 | Extensive revision taking out procedural matters (113/2018) |
30 January 2020 | Reviewed and adopted (CRN OC013/2020) |
29 January 2021 | Reviewed and adoption (CRN OC019/2021) |
January 2023 |
Extensive revision – Purpose updated to align with CDRC values and outcomes, procedural matters removed and will be referenced in procedures. New Appendix A included to contain reference to Procedures and Codes of Practice as required, application of policy included, Legislative references updated and definitions updated. Reviewed and adopted (CRN OC016/2023) |
MagiQ Document # | Supporting Documents to this Policy | Document Name | Code of Practice/Guidance Document Reference |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Asbestos Management Procedure | In the absence of a Procedure/Code of Practice the organisation will abide by Work Health Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 - Division 2, Section 19 – Primary Duty of Care and Return to Work Act 1986 - Part 5 - Workers compensation and rehabilitation - Division - Claim procedures and determination and Return to Work Regulations 1986 |
Existing – due for review July 2026 | Policy | P64 – Fitness for Work Policy | Not applicable |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Non Work-Related Injury/Illness Procedure | In the absence of a Procedure/Code of Practice the organisation will abide by Work Health Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 - Division 2, Section 19 – Primary Duty of Care |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Document Management Procedure | Not applicable; however refer to Records Management Standardsfor Public Sector Organisations in the Northern Territory Refer here https://dcdd.nt.gov.au/government-records/ntps-organisations-records-information-management-standards |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Incident Reporting & Investigation Procedure | In the absence of a Procedure/Code of Practice the organisation will abide by Work Health Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 - Division 2, Section 19 – Primary Duty of Care |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Procedure | Code of Practice: How to manage health and safety risks Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace Code of Practice: managing the risk of falls in the workplace |
Currently under development | Procedure | WHS First Aid Procedure | Related Code of Practice – First Aid in the workplace - https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/first-aid-in-the-workplace |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Contractor Management Procedure | Related Code of Practice - Construction work |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Plant Procedure | Related Code of Practice - https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/managing-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace2 |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Workplace Emergency Management Procedure | Related Code of Practice: Refer s5 – Emergency Plans https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/705948/code-of-practice-managing-the-work-environment-and-facilities.pdf |
Existing - Overdue for Review | Procedure | Safety Lockdown Procedures for CDRC worksites (Recommend cross referencing with the WHS Emergency Plan Procedure – new as above) | Related Code of Practice: Refer s5 – Emergency Plans https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/705948/code-of-practice-managing-the-work-environment-and-facilities.pdf |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Isolation, Lock Out, Tag Out Procedure | Code of Practice –https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/managing-electrical-risks |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Electrical Procedure | Code of Practice - Managing electrical risks in the workplace - https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/managing-electrical-risks |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Asbestos Management Procedure | Code of Practice – https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/how-to-manage-and-control-asbestos-in-the-workplace |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Handling Inappropriate Behaviour from the Public at Work Procedure | Code of Practice – How to manage work health and safety risks - https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/how-to-manage-work-health-and-safety-risks |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Hazard Management Procedure | Code of Practice – How to manage work health and safety risks - https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/how-to-manage-work-health-and-safety-risks |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Heavy Vehicle Management Procedure |
In the absence of a Procedure, ensure the Traffic Act (NT) and Traffic Regulations are adhered to and guidance documents below are referred to:
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To be developed | Procedure | WHS Drug & Alcohol Management Procedure (this will support the below Policy) | In the absence of a Procedure/Code of Practice the organisation will abide by Work Health Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 - Division 2, Section 19 – Primary Duty of Care |
Overdue for review – due September 2022 | Policy | P69 Smoking, Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy | Not applicable |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Workplace Inspection Procedure | Code of Practice – How to manage work health and safety risks - https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/how-to-manage-work-health-and-safety-risks |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Internal Audit Procedure | In the absence of a Procedure/Code of Practice the organisation will abide by Work Health Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 - Division 2, Section 19 – Primary Duty of Care |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Induction and Training Procedure (Need to ensure this aligns with the P16 Training and Development Policy) | Code of Practice – How to manage work health and safety risks - Refer s4.2 https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/how-to-manage-work-health-and-safety-risks |
Due for review 8 December 2022 | Policy | P16 Training and Development Policy | Not applicable |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Remote/Isolated Work Procedure | Code of Practice – Refer s4.2 – Managing the work environment facilities - https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/managing-the-work-environment-facilities |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Hazardous Chemicals Procedure | Code of Practice – Managing Risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace - https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/managing-risks-of-hazardous-chemicals-in-the-workplace2 Code of Practice - Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals - https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/labelling-of-workplace-hazardous-chemicals Code of Practice - Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals- https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/preparation-of-safety-data-sheets-for-hazardous-chemicals |
To be developed | Procedure |
WHS Consultation & Communication Procedure (Incorporates appointment of work groups, HSR appointments and WHS Committee engagement) |
Code of Practice – Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination - https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/work-health-and-safety-consultation,-cooperation-and-coordination |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Confined Space Management | Code of Practice – Confined Spaces- https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/confined-spaces |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Excavation and Trenching Procedure | Code of Practice – Excavation Work - https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/excavation-work2https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/excavation-work2 |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Hot Work Procedure | Code of Practice – Welding Processes - https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/welding-processes2 |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS UVR & Inclement Weather Procedure | Code of Practice, Refer s 4.1 – Managing the work environment facilities https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/managing-the-work-environment-facilities |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Hazardous Manual Tasks Procedure | Code of Practice – Hazardous Manual tasks - https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/hazardous-manual-task |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Prevention of Falls Procedure | Code of Practice: https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/managing-the-risk-falls-at-workplaces |
To be developed | Procedure | WHS Work Zone Traffic Management Procedure | Follow the General Guide to workplace traffic management https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/resources-and-publications/guidance-materials/general-guide-workplace-traffic-management |
Due for review November 2022 | Policy | P13 - Internal Uniform Policy (contains PPE requirements) by not in detail, introduction of WHS PPE Procedure recommended to compliment above policy |
Not applicable |
Due for review September 2025 | Policy | P63-Discrimination, Bullying and Harassment | Not applicable |
Due for review September 2025 | Policy | P14 – Risk Management Policy | Not applicable |
Due for review September 2023 | Policy | SP01 – Code of Conduct Employees | Not applicable |
Due for review July 2023 | Policy | P71 - Vehicle (Fleet)Usage Policy | Related Code of Practice - https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice/managing-risks-of-plant-in-the-workplace2 |
*Note - Appendix A may be amended from time to time throughout the policy lifecycle and will be updated accordingly via the council’s records management system without going through a formal policy review, given procedures are internal documents approved by relevant Directors / CEO and outline the procedural elements to enact on this policy.
**Note – in the absence of a WHS Procedure listed on Appendix A, workers are to refer to the relevant Code of Practice on the NT Worksafe website here https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/codes-of-practice or relevant legislation as applicable.
Term | Description |
Control measure | An action taken to eliminate or minimise health and safety risks so far as is reasonably practicable. A hierarchy of control measures is set out in the WHS Regulations to assist duty holders to select the highest control measures reasonably practicable. |
Duty holder | Any person who owes a work health and safety duty under the WHS Act including a person conducting a business or undertaking, a designer, manufacturer, importer, supplier, installer of products or plant used at work (upstream duty holder), officer or a worker. |
Hazard | A situation or thing that has the potential to harm a person. Hazards at work may include: noisy machinery, a moving forklift, chemicals, electricity, working at heights, a repetitive job, bullying and violence at the workplace. |
Health | Health includes both physical and psychological health. |
Work Health and Safety Committee (WHSC) | A consultative body established under the WHS Act. The committee's functions include facilitating cooperation between workers and the person conducting a business or undertaking to ensure workers’ health and safety at work, and assisting to develop work health and safety standards, rules and procedures for the workplace |
Health and safety representative | A worker who has been elected by their work group under the WHS Act to represent them on health and safety matters. |
Job Safety Analysis (JSA) | A JSA is a form of risk assessment, which details step-by-step how a task is to be carried out safely. |
Managing risk | This is a process set out in the WHS Regulations to eliminate health and safety risks so far as is reasonably practicable, or if this is not reasonably practicable, minimise the risks so far as is reasonably practicable. It includes identifying hazards, assessing and implementing control measures, and reviewing and maintaining the control measures to ensure their ongoing effectiveness. |
May | ‘May’ indicates an optional course of action. |
Must |
‘Must’ indicates a legal requirement exists that must be complied with.
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Person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) |
A PCBU is an umbrella concept which intends to capture all types of working arrangements or relationships.
Individuals who are in a partnership that is conducting a business will individually and collectively be a PCBU. |
Reasonably practicable |
‘Reasonably practicable’, in relation to a duty to ensure health and safety, means that which is, or was at a particular time, reasonably able to be done to ensure health and safety, taking into account and weighing up all relevant matters including:
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Risk | The possibility harm (death, injury or illness) might occur when exposed to a hazard |
Should | ‘Should’ indicates a recommended course of action. |
Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) | SWMS is a document which details step-by-step how a task is to be carried out safely. SWMS are prescribed for all High-Risk Construction Work (HRCW) under safety regulations in Australia. |
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) |
An SOP is a safe work procedure outlining how to operate a plant safely. This document includes instructions on:
[as defined by the Code of Practice, Managing Risks of Plant, section 1.4] |
Task Risk Assessment (TRA) | A risk assessment involves considering what could happen if someone is exposed to a hazard and the likelihood of it happening. A Task Risk Assessment is undertaken using the WHS Risk Assessment Form located in MagiQ here |
Volunteer association | A group of volunteers working together for one or more community purposes |
Work group | A group of workers established to facilitate the representation of workers by one or more health and safety representatives. A work group may be all workers at a workplace but it may also be appropriate to split a workplace into multiple work groups where workers share similar work conditions or are exposed to similar risks and hazards. For example all workers on night shift. |
Worker | Any person who carries out work for a person conducting a business or undertaking, including work as an employee, contractor or subcontractor (or their employee), self-employed person, outworker, apprentice or trainee, work experience student, employee of a labour hire company placed with a 'host employer' or a volunteer. |
Workplace | Any place where work is carried out for a business or undertaking and includes any place where a worker goes, or is likely to be, while at work. This may include offices, factories, shops, construction sites, vehicles, ships, aircraft or other mobile structures on land or water. |