E.04.01 Identifying and Managing Hazards (National Procedure)

Procedure Standard

• All hazards are identified, recorded, classified and action taken to reduce risk of injury.

Procedure

1. The Prison site Health and Safety Committee is established according to planning team requirements.
2. Training in hazard identification and responding to accidents and incidents is provided.
3. Hazards are identified and documented and where necessary external advice sought.
4. Hazards are prioritised using the Accident Potential Matrix according to the probability of harm from a hazard, and the level of harm possible from a hazard.
5. A Hazard Control Plan is written by the Health & Safety Committee and negotiated and approved by the Prison Manager.
6. Copies of the Hazard Control Plan are sent to the Regional Advisor H&S.
7. Hazards are either eliminated, isolated, or minimised using a project-based approach.
8. Control procedures are set up for those hazards being isolated or minimised.
9. Information is provided on control procedures to all those affected.
10. The people exposed to the hazard follow the required control procedures.
11. Any further hazards identified are documented and forwarded to the Prison Manager.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Prison Manager

1. Ensure local Health and Safety Committee is established.
2. Ensure training is provided to Health and Safety Committee members on hazard identification and accident investigation.
3. Make final decision on elimination, isolation or minimisation of hazard, and takes resulting actions.
4. Ensure that First Aid Cabinets are available in all habited areas of the facility.
5. Maintain the H&S 09 Hazard Register for all identifed significant hazards and within the facility.

Health and Safety Committee

1. Identify and document hazards.
2. Maintain a register of hazards.
3. Prioritise hazards for the level of harm possible and the probability of harm occurring.
4. Identify whether a hazard should be eliminated, isolated, or minimised.
5. Identify control procedures for hazards to be isolated or minimised.
6. Recommend actions to the Prison Manager.

PCO/UM

1. Identify and implement emergency preparedness and response requirements for the unit.
2. Train and support staff in sound Health and Safety practice.
3. Induct all new staff to the Unit using H&S 13 Induction Checklist as a guide.
4. Ensure new staff complete the H&S 18 Health and Safety Induction workbook.
5. File evidence of understanding on the employee’s personal file.
6. Maintain a register of Induction of all staff  on a H&S 16 Induction Checklist Register.
7. Ensure unit has a Blood Spills Kit, maintained with the recommended contents to protect staff from infectious or communicable diseases.
8. Ensure supplies of Infectious diseases emergency (First Aid Kits) pouches are maintained and distributed to staff as required.
9. Monitor any issues and ensure that checks have been initiated to maintain compliance, by way of internal Maintenance Request procedure monitor progress in-house.
10. Ensure weekly and monthly meetings include Health and Safety discussions, which also include considerations to reviewing Hazard Management.
11. Advise staff of the following requirements:
    1. Occupational health and safety
    2. Workplace accident reporting requirements
    3. Smoke-Free policy
    4. Safe driving policy
12. Accurately record, report and manage accidents and incidents.
13. Manage rehabilitation in the event of an accident, incident or illness to return employees to the workplace.

Unit Health and Safety Officer

1. Each Unit should have a Health and Safety Officer (HSO).
2. The HSO is to complete the H&S 11 Monthly Inspection Checklist.
3. Give the checklist to the PCO / Unit Manager.
4. Six monthly self-assessments shall be completed and given to the PCO / UM and Regional Advisor Health and Safety.
5. Any issues arising from the checks are to be addressed by way of compliance or by submitting an internal Maintenance Request procedure and monitoring progress in-house.

Unit staff

1. Advise prisoners of the following requirements:
   1. Smoke-Free policy
   2. Safe driving policy
   3. Prisoner induction forms
   4. Health and safety for prisoners
   5. Reporting accidents of prisoners

All Staff

1. Are responsible for health and safety issues within their area of work, including hazards.
2. Report all hazards using a H&S 08 Hazard Report and Evaluation form as soon as practicable.
3. Any issues arising from the checks are to be addressed by way of compliance or by submitting an internal Maintenance Request procedure and monitoring progress in-house (where required).
4. Read information about control procedures.
5. Follow control procedures.
6. Inform Prison Manager and Health and Safety Committee where a hazard or potential hazard is identified.

Visits staff, volunteers and contractors

1. Visitors, volunteers and contractors to the facility are notified of significant hazards and emergency procedures within the area.
2. Ensure visitors, volunteers and contractors sign the Visitors Book, wear their tag and retain the leaflet of information.
3. Long term and regular volunteers should receive the same level of induction as new staff.

Health and Safety for Prisoners

1. Prisoners are to adhere to the requirements of the Health and Safety Policy.
2. As part of the Induction process into a Unit every prisoner will be taken through the following:
   1. Emergency procedures
   2. Evacuation areas
   3. Complete the A.18.F1 – Physical activity readiness Questionnaire
   4. Complete the A.18.F2 – Physical activity authorisation form
   5. Have completed the Health Induction through Health staff
3. Prisoners engaged in employment or community work must be supervised by a competent instructor or work party supervisor at all times while engaged in these activities.
4. When engaged in sporting or gym activities offenders are to be supervised by a person competent to assess the offender’s level of fitness relative to the activity undertaken, and able to ensure activities are being performed safely.
5. Safety equipment are to be provided for all prisoner workplaces as required.
6. Prisoners are to be instructed in the use of work equipment by a person competent in the use of that equipment.

Visitors

1. Will adhere to the requirements of the Health and Safety Policy.