Central Desert Regional Council - Work Health and Safety Commitment Policy

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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

Purpose

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:

Ensure compliance and keep up to date with relevant legislation, codes of practice and Australian Standards;
Ensure risks arising from work are eliminated or where that is possible, risks should be minimised so far as is reasonably practicable;
Ensure development of a suite of safety documentation to assist with identification of risks associated with the work being undertaken. This includes development of Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) and Job Safety Analysis (JSA’s) for tasks and development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for operation of safe plant/equipment;
Promote and facilitate a pro-active hazard management approach in the identification, reporting, assessment and elimination or control of hazards;
Provide and maintain safe plant, structures, chemicals, facilities and systems of work;
Work in consultation and communicate with all workers, contractors and key stakeholders on health and safety matters;
Provide relevant and up to date training, information, instruction, and supervision;
Utilise appropriate internal and/or external expertise, when required, in all related activities;
Facilitate effective, early and positive return to work processes to assist injured workers to return to work and achieve the best practicable levels of physical and mental recovery; and
Effective and supportive claims management practices.

Scope

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

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)	Provide safety leadership for the organisation and ensure all workers act in accordance with the policy and supporting procedures; Provide the necessary resources and leadership for the organisation to achieve the intended outcomes of the policy and supporting procedures and review these regularly to ensure they remain appropriate to meet the needs of the organisation; Take reasonable steps to ensure the business or undertaking has and uses appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise, so far as is reasonably practicable, risks from the work environment and facilities; Ongoing monitoring and review of Work Health Safety matters in the workplace, including review of reporting relating to incidents on a regular basis.
Management (includes Regional Managers, Managers and Senior Coordinators – anyone who has supervisory or direct supervision of workers)	Participate in development, implementation and communication of this policy and supporting procedures to workers in their area; Monitoring through their supervisory activities that the policy and supporting procedures are adhered to; Keep up to date with changes in WHS legislation, codes of practice and standards, updating procedures accordingly; Role-model behaviours that drive a positive safety culture, adds value and demonstrates leadership; Ensure that workers in their area have had appropriate training to undertake the activities identified within this policy and records management standards are met in accordance with relevant Procedure; Ensure contractor management activities are undertaken in accordance with relevant procedures and/or Codes of Practice In the absence of a WHS Procedure as listed in Appendix A, ensure the relevant Code of Practice is adhered to; Develop, consult and implement Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) and Job Safety Analysis (JSA’s) documents for tasks undertaken by workers; Develop, consult and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for safe operation of plant/equipment. Managers must investigate all hazards, accidents, near misses, injuries and illnesses within 7 day(s), unless the matter is a complex investigation e.g. notifiable incident.
Workers	Workers have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and to not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons; Workers must comply with reasonable instructions, as far as they are reasonably able, and cooperate with reasonable health and safety policies or procedures that have been notified to workers. Workers must participate in WHS consultation for WHS matters e.g. policies, procedures, development of SWMS, JSA’s and SOPs’, training, wearing of appropriate PPE and clothing as instructed; Workers must report all hazards, accidents, near misses, injuries and illnesses to their supervisor immediately and document within 24 hours
Risk and Work Health and Safety Team	Ensure implementation, education and communication of the policy, supporting procedures and other associated documentation by providing advice to Managers and workers where required; Review management systems to ensure they are compliant with legislative changes and ensure any new or changed WHS requirements are disseminated to all company officers, supervisors, workers, contractors and supplies as appropriate; Provide advice and support on development of safety documentation e.g. SWMS, JSAs and SOPs etc.; Ensure records are maintained in line with legislative requirements.

Legislation and Reference

This Policy is to be read in conjunction with the supporting policies and procedures/Codes of Practice listed in Appendix A.

Work Health Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 - Division 2, Section 19 – Primary Duty of Care
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011
Return to Work Act 1986 - Part 5 - Workers compensation and rehabilitation - Division - Claim procedures and determination and Return to Work Regulations 1986
Dangerous Goods Act 1998 and Dangerous Goods Regulations 1985
Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2010 and Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2010
Radioactive Ores and Concentrates (Packaging and Transport) Act 1980 and Radioactive Ores and Concentrates (Packaging and Transport) Regulations 1980
Electricity Reform Act 2000 and Electricity Reform (Safety and Technical) Regulation 2000
AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 5.2 OH&S Policy

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.

Review History

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)
20 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)

Appendix A

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: Load Restraints Guide - National Transport Commission V64 Load Restraint NT Government Document - Vehicle information bulletins and forms \| NT.GOV.AU
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.

Appendix B – Glossary of Terms

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. Officer An officer under the WHS Act includes: an officer under section 9 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) an officer of the Crown within the meaning of section 247 of the WHS Act, and an officer of a public authority within the meaning of section 252 of the WHS Act. A partner in a partnership or an elected member of a local authority is not an officer while acting in that capacity.
Person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU)	A PCBU is an umbrella concept which intends to capture all types of working arrangements or relationships. A PCBU includes a: company unincorporated body or association sole trader or self-employed person. Individuals who are in a partnership that is conducting a business will individually and collectively be a PCBU. A volunteer association (defined under the WHS Act, see below) or elected members of a local authority will not 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: the likelihood of the hazard or the risk concerned occurring; and the degree of harm that might result from the hazard or the risk; and what the person concerned knows, or ought reasonably to know, about the hazard or risk, and about the ways of eliminating or minimising the risk; and the availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or minimise the risk; and after assessing the extent of the risk and the available ways of eliminating or minimising the risk, the cost associated with available ways of eliminating or minimising the risk, including whether the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk
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: the correct use of guarding and other control measures how to safely access and operate the plant who may use an item of plant. For example, only authorised or licensed operators how to carry out inspections, shut-down, cleaning, repair and maintenance traffic rules, rights of way, clearances and no-go areas for mobile plant procedures when plant malfunctions emergency procedures, and the proper use, wearing, storage and maintenance of personal protective equipment (PPE). [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.