Employment Services:
Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S)

TAFE NSW is committed to implementation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 and other associated health and safety legislation. By considering physiological, psychological and environmental factors TAFE NSW aims to give staff the highest degree of physical, mental and social well being in their work environment.

Who has responsibility for OH&S in TAFE NSW?

TAFE NSW and all its staff are responsible for occupational health and safety. The responsibilities of different staff are as follows:

Senior Managers
Senior Managers give overall direction to occupational health and safety in the Commission by:

  • establishing and reviewing long and short term corporate goals in health and safety;
  • allocating resources for occupational health and safety;
  • ensuring staff comply with occupational health and safety legislation,
  • TAFE NSW policy and other associated safety standards.

Line Managers
Line Managers are responsible for taking reasonable care of all staff and students in their areas of responsibility by:

  • implementing and maintaining safe work practices;
  • providing occupational health and safety training to staff;
    regularly inspecting workplaces to identify and control hazardous situations;
  • taking action to investigate and fix potential health and safety hazards;
  • giving information and instruction for the safe handling of equipment and materials;
  • following legal requirements for protecting staff by providing protective clothing and equipment and supervising their use;
  • helping to select duties for staff on workplace based rehabilitation programs.

Individual staff members
Individual staff members are required to:

  • take reasonable care of the health and safety of people at their work place and those who may be affected by their acts or omissions;
  • follow safe working practices and comply with health and safety policies;
  • use all protective clothing and equipment provided by the Commission;
  • report unsafe working conditions, faulty equipment and accidents.

What OHS legislation applies?

Some of the major Acts and regulations that could apply are:
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000;
  • Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001;
  • Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations;
  • Public Health Act;
  • Pure Foods Act:
  • Environmental Protection Offences Act and Regulations;
  • Clean Air Act;
  • Clean Water Act;
  • Noise Pollution Act.

If staff do not comply with these acts or regulations they, or TAFE NSW could incur a fine or be prosecuted.

Occupational Health & Safety Policy

It is the policy of TAFE NSW - Western Institute to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, that all employees, students and visitors are safe from injury and risks to health while on TAFE premises. Western Institute intends to meet this commitment by ensuring that work practices and procedures comply with the Acts and Regulations governing Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare.

It is a requirement of all employees, students and visitors to ensure all practical measures are observed to provide a safe and healthy working and learning environment.