MINUTES

Occupational Health & Safety Committee

Herston Safety Committee
Report on OH&S Committee held on 9th January 2012.

Meeting Agenda
1

Apologies

Confirmation of the previous minutes

Business arising from the previous minutes

Matters for consideration

New Business

Other Business

Next Meeting

Meeting Minutes
Meeting opened: 10am

Attendance

Present
Steve Wallis (Chairperson); David Franks (Secretary, WHSO); Melanie Thomas (Discipline of Paediatrics & Child
Health); Julie Ayre (IPLC); Barb Heath (Herston Medical Library); Phil Berquier (SOM Head of School
representative); Sheila Cleary (Psychiatry, Mental Health); Sussan Ghassabian (CIPDD); Sheila Dohnt (Faculty
of Health Sciences, WHSO)
Apologies
Leila Cuttle (Childrens Burns lab/co-chair); Marea Fox (CNRC); Deb Sunners (CONROD, Edith Cavell Building);
Cheryl Swanson (Centre for Chronic Disease); Sabina Scott (QCPRRC)

Confirmation of the previous minutes

The minutes from the previous meeting held on 26/07/2011 were confirmed and accepted.

Business arising from the previous minutes

3.1

Harmonisation Update

DF reminded committee that new Work Health & Safety Laws were introduced from 1st January this year
which aims to nationally uniform laws regarding OHS ensuring that workers have the same protection
regardless of where they work in Australia. Notable points:

Greater responsibility on HOS/Snr management teams. For example OHS responsibilities cannot be
delegated down by HOS. However duties can now be shared and therefore Snr management team
equally accountable.
WHSOs can now be charged. If not showing due diligence by keeping records, current information,
ensuring that business/school is using appropriate resources to eliminate or reduce risk.
When looking at provisions for funding to manage or implement control measures to mitigate risk it
will no longer be acceptable for the school to claim financial hardship. SoM will be considered UQ.
Those with duties under the act can refer to new Regulations and Codes of Practice (attached) for how
to discharge their obligations, including some practical guidance.

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Action:

An information session has been scheduled for 9th February 2012 10-11am E.S. Meyers Lecture
Theatre (Herston) which will discuss the topic further.
A recommendation was made for committee members to attend the information session in Feb.

Matters for Consideration

4.1

Minutes/Report from OH&S Council Meeting

SD provided an update from the previous council meeting. Minutes attached. Notable points:

4.2

A working party has been established to address the possibility/consequences of introducing a no

smoking policy within UQ.
An electronic chemical tracking system is to be trialled within the Faculty of Health Sciences at various
locations from a number of schools with initial findings reported back to UQ Executive Director
Operations, Maurie McNarn. The Thoracic Research Centre at TPCH has offered to represent the SOM
within this trial. This will commence over the coming months with update provided at next meeting.
Minutes/Reports from Schools/Centres/Work Units

4.3

Faculty OHS Committee Minutes attached.

OH&S Communications

New worker and RHD student induction checklist has recently been introduced and should now be used in
place of the previous copy.

Now
includes
immunisation
requirements
which
confirm
vaccinisations/immunisations that might be required in certain activities.
New Training Needs Analysis form also recently introduced.

Action:
4.4

understanding

of

New forms should be used in future inductions. Current versions found on OHS website.

Health & Safety Management Plan

SD in the process of revising and will provide an update at next meeting.

Action:
4.5

SD to update at next meeting.

Incidents and Accidents

39 incidents reported throughout 2011.

Action:

4.6

Reiterate to work areas that incidents in QHealth facilities need to be reported through both UQ
and QHealth reporting systems.
Everyone to let supervisors in their area know that incident reports should be signed off as
quickly as possible so HoS can sign off within the established time limits.
If people receive incident reports incorrectly, let WHSO know ASAP so they can change the form
to go to the correct supervisor.
Breakdown of incidents to be provided by DF for next meeting.

Proposed changes to the work environment

Restricted Access to Health Sciences Building:

o DF reported that students have been mistreating study areas of the building including but not
limited to; storing food & drink, installing beds from other work areas and sleeping on site,
general untidiness.
o As a result 24/7 access will be cut from 13th Jan 2012.

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o
o
o

4.7

OH&S Workplace Assessments and Audit Reports

The majority of annual audits have been completed, with approx. 8-9 outstanding.
Reminder: WHSO annual audits will be conducted using the monthly checklist rather than the old
annual checklist.

Action:

Access to student areas will be off limits from 8pm-6am.

Security will complete a walk through and ask students to leave between these times.
Students will be sent an email and it will be addressed at orientation.
This has been approved by Jenny Sutton and Leonie Calloway.

All areas requested to download the form & start going through their area.
DF will be in touch over the next couple of months to arrange annual inspection time.

New Business

5.1

Block 6 Chemical & Mould Issues

SG reported that unidentified chemicals had been left within an unused cool room with the work area
of TetraQ.
Having switched off the cooling mechanism in 2011 this has led to the growth of mould within this
particular room.

Action:
5.2

DF to investigate and arrange for the removal of chemicals as necessary.

Student OHS Module via Blackboard (David Franks)

5.3

DF reported that as a result of the Universitys Enforceable Undertaking a compulsory OHS module will
need to be completed by all students prior to graduation.
This will be available online via Blackboard and will comprise of interactive, general workplace safety
components.
Availability of the module is expected around March 2012. SOM staff/students will be updated as
necessary.
OHS staff/RHD students Online Induction now to be completed via Blackboard (David Franks)

OHS staff/RHD student online induction modules are no longer available through Elmo.
This training feature will now be supported through Blackboard with immediate effect.
Whilst most modules are already available, some modules including chemical safety and risk
management are still under construction.

Other Business

Next Meeting

The next OH&S Committee meeting is scheduled for 12th July 10am.

Meeting closed: 10:40am

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