1. Purpose
This policy is provided on behalf of the RTO, Lumify Learn as a commitment to providing quality training and assessment in accordance with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 (SRTOs). As such, Lumify Learn is required to comply with relevant Federal, State and Territory laws, including that relating to Workplace Health and Safety (WHS).
The purpose of this policy is to ensure Lumify Learn complies with relevant Commonwealth and State Work Health and Safety (WHS) Legislation and regulatory requirements that are relevant to its operation and Scope of Registration.
2. Policy Statement
Lumify Learn is committed to providing a learning environment that is free from safety and health hazards and that all staff, clients and visitors are fully informed of these safety and health requirements including Emergency Procedures that affect their duties or participation in vocational education and training.
Lumify Learn will:
Provide staff, clients and contractors a safe and healthy learning environment;
Provide a safe and healthy workplace to allow all our employees to perform their tasks to their maximum potential, safely and efficiently; and
Comply with relevant laws, regulations and standards.
3. Policy Principles
3.1 Underpinning Principles
Lumify Learn uses a consultative and participative approach with employees regarding Workplace Health and Safety.
Lumify Learn considers Risk Management a top priority in all activities on and off site and WHS is a key element of this risk management. Communication within all levels of the organisation ensures everything from clearly marked exits to spill signage and evacuation plans form the basis of a comprehensive approach.
The Lumify Learn Management is to conduct bi-annual Safety Risk Audits and enter any identified Actions into the Continuous Improvements Register. This includes an Action Date and a Date Closed so that the Administration and Compliance Manager can follow up any issues with the RTO CEO if required.
Lumify Learn at all times plans for and monitors its employees and clients wherever they are working.
Evaluation of WHS matters are discussed in the regular meetings.
Lumify Learn provides ergonomic equipment at all times.
Safe use of equipment is discussed at regular staff meetings.
Safe plant and equipment are provided and maintained by Lumify Learn.
Environmental protection is an Lumify Learn concern including disposal of various types of materials from the administrative areas to industrial waste where relevant.
3.2 First Aid
Lumify Learn has qualified First Aid competent employees at all times.
Lumify Learn ensures first aid is only administered by qualified First Aid competent employees.
3.3 Management of Workplace Hazards/Risks
Trainers/Assessors must undertake a safety inspection of training and assessment environment prior to commencement each day.
Hazards may be identified at any time and are to be reported to the relevant campus Training Manager immediately.
Hazard Management will include:
Hazard identification;
Risk Assessment;
Risk Control; and
Monitor and Evaluation.
3.4 Reporting Accidents and Incidents
All accidents and incidents must be reported immediately to relevant campus Training Manager immediately.
3.5 Emergency Management Plan
In the event of an accident or incident, emergency management plans must be followed. These may include:
Administration of first aid;
Organising medical assistance (paramedics, doctors, transport to hospital/medical facility);
Bomb threats protocols;
Evacuation protocols;
Hazard corrective actions.
4. Lumify Learn Responsibilities
4.1 Buildings
Lumify Learn is responsible for complying with the building, health and safety approval requirements of each site used for training delivery (i.e. educational premises), including the premises used by any third party.
There are some differences of approach between the jurisdictions in whether or not they issue approvals for the use of buildings as educational premises on the basis that premises meet BCA requirements. Lumify Learn must identify any local (state or local government) requirements and comply with them.
Where BCA approval is required, the BCA requires buildings to comply with a range of health, safety and structural requirements including requirements relating to:
Emergency lights
Air flow
Egress
Electrical load
Student capacity
Exit signage
Fire safety
Door and corridor widths
Toilet facilities, and
Disabled access and disabled toilet facilities
Note: Educational premises are classified in the BCA as ‘Class 9b buildings’.
4.2 Primary Duty of Care – Lumify Learn
Lumify Learn will:
Provide and maintain: safe work areas and systems of work; adequate facilities and amenities
Monitor the work environment to maintain safe working conditions
Provide adequate information and training to workers regarding workplace health and safety (including ways of reporting health and safety issues)
Keep information and records relating to the health and safety of their employees
Nominate a person at the appropriate level to be the employer’s representative when health and safety issues arise.
Ensure that an appropriate person is nominated by the workers to be the employee representative when health and safety issues arise.
4.3 Primary Duty of Care – Employees and Clients
All employees and clients have a primary duty of care to :
Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and for the health and safety of anyone else who may be affected by your acts or omissions at the workplace; and
Cooperate with your employer or trainer with respect to any action taken by the employer or trainer to comply with any requirements imposed by or under this Act;
Not willfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse safety equipment that is provided; and
Not willfully put at risk the health and safety of others.
5. Legislation
Lumify Learn will abide by the relevant Work Health and Safety legislation for the State or Territory that training and/or assessment is being delivered.
The legislation provides a balanced and nationally consistent framework to secure the health and safety of workers and workplaces by:
Protecting workers and other persons against harm to their health, safety and welfare through the elimination or minimisation of risks arising from work; and
Providing for fair and effective workplace representation, consultation, co‑operation and issue resolution in relation to work health and safety; and
Encouraging unions and employer organisations to take a constructive role in promoting improvements in work health and safety practices, and assisting persons conducting businesses or undertakings and workers to achieve a healthier and safer working environment; and
Promoting the provision of advice, information, education and training in relation to work health and safety; and
Securing compliance with this Act through effective and appropriate compliance and enforcement measures; and
Ensuring appropriate scrutiny and review of actions taken by persons exercising powers and performing functions under this Act; and
Providing a framework for continuous improvement and progressively higher standards of work health and safety; and
Maintaining and strengthening the national harmonisation of laws relating to work health and safety and to facilitate a consistent national approach to work health and safety in this jurisdiction.
6. Records Management
All documentation from Workplace Health and Safety processes are maintained in accordance with Records Management Policy.
7. Monitoring and Improvement
All practices for Workplace Health and Safety are monitored by the relevant campus Training Managers and areas for improvement identified and acted upon (See Continuous Improvement Policy).
8. Related Documents
QA_POL_22 Incident Management Policy
QA_PRO_22 Incident Management procedure
QA_FRM_22_01 Incidents report form
QA_REG_22 Incident register
QA_POL_23 Bullying and Harassment Policy
QA_REG_25 Continuous Improvement Register
WHS Risk Assessment form
Risk Register