WORKING IN ISOLATION PROCEDURE

Transcription

1 Document uncontrolled when printed Procedure ID no 0479/05 WORKING IN ISOLATION PROCEDURE This procedure is applicable to: All Department of Education and Children's Services employees. DOCUMENT CONTROL Managed by: Phil O Loughlin Contact person: Voula Panayotopoulos Responsible position: Executive Director Human Resource & Workforce Development Approved by: Chief Executive Version: 1 File number: 0479/05 Contact position: Director, Health and Safety Services Date approved: 11 September 2011 Status: FINAL Contact number: Next review date: 10 September 2014 Security classification: Health and Safety Services Page 1-8

2 CONTENTS 1. TITLE PURPOSE SCOPE OBJECTIVES PROCEDURE DETAIL WORKING IN ISOLATION FLOWCHART ACTIONS OF MANAGERS AND EMPLOYEES ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REVIEW DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS REFERENCES...7 APPENDIX 1 GUIDELINE FOR HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND WORK LIMITATION...8 Date Version Revision description 7/1/10 1 H&SS review REVISION RECORD Page 2-8

3 1. TITLE Working in Isolation Procedure. 2. PURPOSE This procedure provides guidance to site managers for the development of systems of work, to reduce the likelihood of injury from hazards associated with remote or isolated work, by: 2.1 Complying with relevant legislation and codes of practice on working in isolation, and the South Australian Public Sector Code of Practice for Crown Self-Insured Employers. 2.2 Complying with DECS Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare and Injury Management Policy. 2.3 Maximising organisational health and wellbeing while delivering high quality service and learning outcomes for students and children. 2.4 Satisfying the requirements of the Safety and Wellbeing in the Public Sector Strategy (SWIPS). 2.5 Managing the risks associated with working in isolation. 3. SCOPE This procedure applies to all DECS activities where work in isolation may be present. 4. OBJECTIVES 4.1 To develop and facilitate best practice working in isolation procedures. 4.2 To reduce the incidence of workplace injury and illness. 4.3 To assist site managers to identify, implement and review working in isolation control measures. Page 3-8

4 5. PROCEDURE DETAIL 5.1 WORKING IN ISOLATION FLOWCHART Page 4-8

5 5.2 ACTIONS OF SITE MANAGERS AND EMPLOYEES An employee working in isolation is to report to their manager before proceeding to the destination and on arrival at the destination An employee working in isolation will be provided with suitable means of communication. e.g. two way radio, mobile phone A manager is to ensure that regular contact is made with each employee working in isolation. The period of these contacts will be dependant on the assessed risk, but shall not be greater than two hourly intervals If an employee suffers an injury while working in isolation and is able to use the means of communication, contact is to be made immediately with their school or office When attempts to make contact with an employee working in isolation are unsuccessful, the manager is to arrange an immediate visit to the work area An employee shall report to the supervisor after completing isolated or remote work. 6. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES POSITION SITE MANAGERS EMPLOYEES ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY Site managers are responsible for integrating the DECS occupational health, safety & welfare and injury management policy in their operations, and shall: Retain an up-to-date register of the names of individuals or positions who are required to work alone or in isolation. Determine under which conditions working alone or in isolation is permitted. Determine which types of duties may be conducted while working in isolation. This includes defining limitations and prohibitions on specific activities when working in isolation. Assess the risks to each employee who is working in isolation, with consideration of the nature of their work, degree of isolation and conditions at the work-site. All employees are responsible for their own health and safety (Section 21 OHS&W Act 1986) and shall: Ensure they work safely so as to not endanger themselves or others. Follow the requirements of this procedure when working in isolated or remote areas, including notifying the relevant contact person of expected working in isolation commencement and completion times. Participate in consultative processes. Report any hazards associated with working in isolation. Obey any reasonable instructions to ensure their health, safety and welfare, and that of others. Ensure that they do not endanger their own or another s safety through the consumption of alcohol or any other drug. Page 5-8

6 7. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REVIEW 7.1 The state-wide consultative system, including this procedure will be evaluated for effectiveness every 3 years by a sub-committee of the State OHS&W Consultative Committee. 7.2 Individual sites shall review and evaluate the effectiveness of their processes annually. 7.3 Site managers must ensure that employees are consulted and provided with any necessary instruction, training and supervision to ensure that control measures are effectively implemented. 8. DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS TERM DANGEROUS GOODS DECS HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE ISOLATED ISOLATED WORK MANAGER MUST REMOTE REMOTE WORK SHALL SITE MANAGER SYSTEMS OF WORK MEANING Substances classified as dangerous goods according to the criteria of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code. The Dangerous Goods classification of a substance can readily be obtained from the relevant MSDS. Dangerous Goods may be explosive, compressed gases, flammable (liquids or solids), spontaneously combustible, water-reactive, oxidising, toxic, radioactive, corrosive or be dangerous due to miscellaneous properties (e.g. harmful to the environment). Department of Education and Children s Services. A substance listed on the Safe Work Australia Hazardous Substances Information System and is a substance that has an inherent potential to cause illness or injury. An employee is considered to be isolated if they are on their own and normal medical / emergency services are not readily contactable in the event of injury, illness or violence, or would take an extended time to arrive. See Working in Isolation. A person with line management responsibilities. Indicates that a statement is a legislative requirement See Isolated. See Working in Isolation. Indicates that a statement is mandatory Any person who has responsibility and control of a DECS site or work unit. This includes, but is not limited to Executive Directors, Regional Directors, Directors and Principals. The total set of methods adopted for carrying out the operations required in a particular workplace. They cover all aspects of the employment situation including the organization of work processes; the methods of using machinery, plant and equipment; the methods of hiring labour; job training and instruction about hazards associated with the job and their management. Page 6-8

7 WORKING IN ISOLATION Working in isolation (also known as Isolated Work or Remote Work) is a situation where an employee is working in an isolated environment. It also includes employees working on their own who are: Operating or maintaining hazardous plant. Handling hazardous substances or dangerous goods. Undertaking any other work that is considered, on the basis of a risk assessment) to be dangerous for a person to perform alone. 9. ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS As a guide, records must be retained, in accordance with the following table: Description of Record Records relating to formulation of agency-wide OHS&W policies that have the authorisation of the Chief Executive. Includes master copies of proposals adopted, consultation papers, final reports, and master copies of policy circulars. Records relating to hazard identification and risk assessment of foreseeable hazards in agency workplaces. Includes measures taken to eliminate or control risks Records must be kept (for a period of 5 years from the date of the last entry in them) in relation to the provision of information, instruction and training where the work involves any plant, substances or activity that is a risk to health or safety. Disposal Schedule Reference Authority Number: 2006/GDS15(V7) : PERMANENT Authority Number: 2006/GDS15(V7) : TEMPORARY - Retain until 2040, retention subject to a review at that date OHS&W Regulations 2010 Part 1, Division 3.22 (2) (d) 10. REFERENCES DECS Hazard Management Procedure. General Disposal Schedule 15, 7th Edition, Effective 14 November 2006 to 30 June Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare (OHS&W) Act 1986, Section 19 Duties of employers. Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare (OHS&W) Regulations 2010, Part 2, Division 14 Remote or isolated work. Safety and Wellbeing in the Public Sector Strategy, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Public Sector Workforce Relations Page 7-8

8 APPENDIX 1 GUIDELINE FOR HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND WORK LIMITATION Page 8-8