Introduction

This Guide to Safety for RSPhys is a resource that will assist you safely undertake Work, Health, Safety (WHS) tasks (formerly known as OHS). It is not intended to be an exhaustive and complete safety document, but to give quick access to basic information and links to ANU safety webpages.

The ANU Health and Safety Management arrangements (HSMA) are aligned with the Commonwealth Work, Health and Safety Act 2011, (WHS) implemented in January 2012. The University's management committment can be viewed here.

Under University policy and Commonwealth law administered by Comcare, the management and staff of ANU are required to put in place safe and healthy systems of work.

COMCARE - Work Health Safety Act 2011
       All workers have four key duties (this includes staff and students):

• Take reasonable care of your own health and safety.
• Take reasonable care that your conduct does not adversely affect the health and safety of others.
• Comply, so far as you are reasonably able, with any instruction given by supervisors and managers.
• Cooperate with reasonable notified policies and procedures -> (especially special ones developed for your area).

Although School management (through the Director, heads of departments, research group leaders, and line supervisors) are primarily responsible for this process, legislation requires, and common sense indicates, that all employees should contribute to the design, implementation and maintenance of safe systems of work.  The processes of cooperation and consultation on Work Health and Safety (WHS) matters takes place through normal supervisor-staff communications and through the deliberations of the RSPE WHS Committee.

The technical and managerial requirements for safe laboratory operations are given in the relevant Australian Standards, the codes of practice published by Comcare, and WHS policies of the University. The School has highly qualified scientists, mechanical, electrical and electronics staff who can assist you. RSPhys contacts for Emergency situations including First Aid; Wardens; etc can be found here

Relevant safety training courses run by the University WHS Branch (or contractors) should be successfully completed by all staff approved to work in laboratories using ionising and non-ionising radiation, lasers, chemicals, corrosives, manual handling work, confined spaces etc..