• Section 1 - Purpose of Policy
• Section 2 - Application and Scope – Exclusions or Special Conditions
• Section 3 - Policy Principles
• Section 4 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Section 5 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose of Policy

(1) The University of Wollongong is committed to providing a physically and mentally safe and healthy workplace for its workers, students and visitors. The Work Health and Safety (WHS) Policy defines the principles of this commitment and the University’s approach to the continuous improvement of health and safety in the workplace.

(2) This Policy gives effect to the University’s WHS Management Plan, WHS Management System, procedures and guidelines.

(3) All members of the University community have a collective and individual responsibility to work safely and be engaged in activities to help prevent physical and psychological injuries and illness.

Section 2 - Application and Scope – Exclusions or Special Conditions

(4) This Policy applies to all workers of the University of Wollongong as well as students, affiliates and other visitors including the undertaking of university activity on or off campus.

(5) Entities of the University are required to outline their commitment to work health and safety through their own WHS policy and management systems.

Section 3 - Policy Principles

(6) The University will undertake the following activities in fulfilling its commitment to provide a healthy and safe workplace:

1. develop, implement and maintain a health and safety management system which includes the requirements of this Policy;
2. comply with applicable health and safety legislation as well as other requirements such as Codes of Practice or Australian Standards;
3. develop, implement and maintain a mental health strategy that specifically outlines how to ensure the University is a mentally healthy workplace;
4. implement a health and safety risk management process to ensure workplace hazards are identified, assessed, controlled and reviewed where they are not able to be eliminated;
5. implement a specific mental health risk management process to ensure psychological workplace hazards are identified, assessed, controlled and reviewed where they are not able to be eliminated;
6. allocate sufficient financial and physical resources to enable the effective implementation of the WHS Policy;
7. provide, handle and store equipment, structures, substances and systems of work without risk to health;
8. provide and disseminate current health and safety training and information to workers, students and visitors via the internet and other suitable delivery methods;
9. implement arrangements for the consultation of health and safety matters with workers and students;
10. establish measureable objectives and targets for health and safety aimed at the elimination of work-related illness and injury; and
11. report on measurements and targets to Council and WHS Committee.

Section 4 - Roles and Responsibilities

(7) The Vice-Chancellor and President has responsibility for, and is committed to, the effective implementation of the University WHS Policy.

(8) The Senior Executive will support Executive Deans, Heads of School, Directors, Managers and Supervisors to fulfil their health and safety responsibilities and accountabilities within their area of responsibility. 

(9) University Council has the responsibility to oversee the monitoring of the University’s WHS performance against objectives and targets.

(10) All workers, students and visitors have a responsibility to take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others and comply with any reasonable instruction, policy, procedures or guidelines of the University in relation to health and safety.

(11) The WHS Unit is available to provide advice regarding specific health and safety matters, update the University on legislative changes and assist with the development, implementation and monitoring of this Policy and the WHS management system.

(12) Further description of WHS responsibilities are outlined in the UOW document “Roles and Responsibilities for Workplace Health and Safety”.

Section 5 - Definitions