3.E Responsibilities

As the duty holder, Biotao , being the PCBU, must:

ensure the health and safety of its workers and others in our workplace
ensure the health and safety of other persons is not put at risk from work carried out as part of its operations
provide and maintain a work environment that is without risks to health and safety
provide and maintain safe plant and structures
provide and maintain safe systems of work
ensure the safe use, handling and storage of plant, structures and substances
provide adequate facilities for the welfare of workers
provide information, training, instruction and supervision
monitor the health of workers and the conditions of our workplaces.

Specific duties as a PCBU also include:

record and notify Comcare of any notifiable incidents arising out of the conduct of the business or undertaking
ensure authorisations are in place for any high risk work or plant
consult so far as reasonably practicable with other PCBUs or persons who have a duty in regard to a work health and safety matter
consult so far as reasonably practicable with workers, their representatives and Health and Safety Representatives on work health and safety matters.

The Principle

The principle and as the officer, are responsible for ensuring that Biotao complies with any duty or obligation under the WHS Act. This is achieved by this officer exercising due diligence, which means they:

acquire and keep an up to date knowledge of work health and safety matters
gain an understanding of Biotao’s operations and the hazards and risks involved
ensure that appropriate resources and processes are provided to enable hazards to be identified and risks to be eliminated or minimised
ensure that information regarding incidents, hazards and risks is received, considered and responded to in a timely way
ensure that Biotao has, and implements, processes for complying with its WHS duties and obligations
verify the provision and use of the resources and processes listed above.

This may include:

having work health and safety as a standing agenda item for each business meeting
integrating WHS laws into everyday business through consultation with Managers and all workers
developing a work health and safety management system framework, which will be reviewed on a regular basis by the principle
ensuring that WHS risk management is incorporated into all business activities and that hazard identification, risk assessment and control is an on-going process, including:
– development and maintenance of a WHS risk register
– development and maintenance of WHS policies and procedures
– ensuring an effective injury/incident reporting procedure
– ensuring appropriate processes are in place for WHS issues relating to contractor management
– ensuring an effective injury/incident reporting procedure
– ensuring that the procurement of any equipment takes into account WHS matters
– ensuring that regular hazard inspections of the workplaces occur
– ensuring that WHS is a standing agenda item at all staff meetings
– incorporating WHS updates and information into regular reporting provided to the principle by Farm Managers
– ensuring that WHS issues are part of all training provided for staff, including induction
– ensuring that contractors and visitors to are provided with appropriate and reasonable WHS information at site entry, and
– ensuring that the work environment is a safe environment.

Farm Manager

The farm Manager, (if an officer), is responsible for ensuring that WHS policies and procedures are implemented in the workplace and/or systems of work under their control. As an integral part of their normal duties, the Farm Manager will:

consult with their workers on measures to protect their health and safety
actively follow agreed safety practices and model positive attitudes towards health and safety matters
arrange for their workers to be instructed in healthy and safe systems of work and procedures and supervise the practice of safe working procedures
notify the Principle of all incidents, hazardous situations, dangerous occurrences or immediate risks to health and safety of any workers
ensure that all workers are informed of this policy
undertake consultation with all managers and workers on change that may affect their health and safety
ensure that WHS is a standing agenda item at all staff meetings
communicate WHS matters to the Principle.

Managers and Leaders

Managers and leaders are responsible for providing a workplace that is, as far as reasonably practicable, safe and healthy workplace for workers and visitors, in particular in the areas of their control. This includes:

modelling health and safety leadership
demonstrating a commitment to good health and safety performance, by:
- talking about safety at regular meetings
- ensuring safe work procedures are followed
- reporting incidents, hazards and safety concerns promptly
- assessing task risk and not allowing an activity to continue until it can be controlled adequately
fostering a strong work health and safety culture where worker input is valued
Promoting and implementing the Work Health and Safety Management System
actively support the identification of hazards and risks and the management of these
understand and monitor safety performance objectives
proactively manage other duty holders (e.g. contractors), when required.

Workers

Workers must take reasonable care for their own health and safety while they are at work, and take reasonable care that their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons. They must comply, so far as they are reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction given by the Manager, as well as co-operating with any reasonable Biotao policy or procedure which relates to workplace health and safety. On a day to day basis, this includes:

to the extent of the worker’s control or influence over working conditions and methods, take reasonable care to work safely
making sure that the work area safe when leaving it
make proper use of all appropriate safeguards, safety devices and personal protective equipment
follow agreed safe working practices and rules
report all known hazards, accidents and incidents as soon as possible.

It is acknowledged that, in accordance with the Act, a worker may cease, or refuse to carry out work that would expose the work if they have a reasonable concern the work would expose the worker to a serious risk to their health or safety. The Act requires workers who cease work to notify the relevant manager that they have ceased unsafe work as soon as practicable after doing so. It also requires workers to remain available to carry out ‘suitable alternative work’. This would not however require workers to remain at any place that poses a serious risk to their health or safety.

Contractors

Contractors, sub-contractors and self-employed persons are defined as “workers” under the WHS Act if they carry out work in any capacity for Biotao. They are required to:

comply with the requirements of the WHS legislation
have in place any work health and safety policies and programs required under State or Territory safety legislation
consult with Biotao about safety matters and comply with Biotao policies
work safely and to include the safety of Biotao staff and visitors in their safety plans.

If any staff member believes that a contractor may be engaging in an unsafe work practice, they are required to report this issue to their manager.

Visitors

Visitors and other persons to Biotao also have responsibilities to abide by our workplace safety rules and procedures. These responsibilities include to:

take reasonable care for their own health and safety and for the health and safety of other persons
comply with, so far as they are reasonably able, all reasonable safety directions provided by Biotao staff
report all safety related incidents to Biotao staff
ensure the adequate supervision of any accompanying children
not enter any restricted area without authorisation or escort
not bring or consume alcohol or illegal drugs at Biotao workplaces or worksites
not wilfully or recklessly interfere with Biotao property.