locher health & safety policy

Locher acknowledges the need to manage OHS&W through effective policy development, management systems and prevention programs that are developed, implemented and reviewed incorporating the following strategies:

Policies and procedures which work towards achieving standards and regulations set out in accordance with the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986,  Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986 and Australian Standards Codes of Practice have been implemented to include:

• Senior management commitment and active involvement
• Clearly defined and assigned roles, responsibilities and procedures for achieving the aims and objectives of Locher as outlined in Organisation Goals & Strategies, Section 1 of QMS 
• Utilisation of appropriate internal and/or external expertise where required  
• Effective consultation with employees 
• Continuous Improvement

It is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer to ensure Locher's commitment to the health, safety and welfare of employees, temporary employees and contractors at all times. In fulfilling this responsibility the management of Locher is committed to provide and maintain, as far as reasonably practical, a workplace and work environment that is safe and without risk to health. As Responsible Officer, the accountability for employee occupational health, safety and welfare rests with the CEO.

In support of the policy Locher's Management (including CEO, Managers, Team Leaders) accept the following Roles and Responsibilities:

• Must fulfil its responsibility under the relevant Legislation, Regulations, Codes of Practice and Australian Standard which apply
• Ensure appropriate and adequate training is provided to all Managers, Team Leaders and employees/temporary employees/contractors to enable them to fulfil their responsibilities 
• Must provide safe systems of work 
• Is responsible for implementing a Hazard Management System identifying all reasonably foreseeable hazards, assessing risks and implementing controls to eliminate or minimise risks using the recognised hierarchal of risk control 
• Is responsible to implement effective injury and illness reporting, recording and investigation and effective rehabilitation measures for employees who suffer work-related injuries and illness 
• Ensure the principle of continuous improvement is promoted through effective strategic planning, employee involvement, performance measurement, auditing and action plan implementation. 
• Ensure a consultative process such as health and safety meetings and consultation meetings are working effectively to monitor, resolve and review health and safety issues

Employees, including all temporary/contract employees have a duty of care to:

• Follow safe and healthy work practices
• Comply with OHS&W policies, procedures, instructions and directions, either written or verbal issued by the Responsible Officer, Managers or Team Leaders 
• Report hazards in the workplace and make recommendations to management on how to reduce the level of risk 
• Report accidents, injuries or near miss incidents 
• Assist accident investigators or workplace inspectors 
• Disclose any physical or psychological limitations that could affect their ability to work safely

Locher is committed to encouraging communication, consultation and co-operation between management and employees on health, safety and welfare issues. The following mechanisms are available to all employees:

• Ability to make continuous improvement suggestions by completing a Continuous Improvement Plan (CIAP) form
• Ability to raise concerns about hazards by completing a Continuous Improvement Action Plan (CIAP) form 
• Attendance at OHS&W Emergency Planning Meetings; Team Meetings; Consultation Meetings; Quarterly Workshops  
• Ability to openly discuss any concerns with Team Leaders, Managers, Directors or the Chief Executive Officer of Locher

Policy Review

The Locher Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Policy is formally reviewed twice yearly at the Locher Strategic Planning Days and revised as necessary to comply with any changes to relevant legislations, regulations, Codes of Practice, Australian Standards or organisation structure changes.

Continuous Improvement

The concept of continuous improvement is evidenced in the OHSW&IM System.
It is achieved by continually evaluating the performance of the OHSW&IM system against its OHSW&IM Policies, objectives and targets for the purpose of identifying opportunities for improvement.

The continuous improvement process should:

• Identify areas of opportunity for improvement of the OHSW&IM System which lead to improved OHSW&IM performance
• Determine the root cause or causes of non-conformances or deficiencies 
• Develop and implement plans of corrective and preventative action to address causes 
• Verify the effectiveness of the corrective and preventative actions 
• Document any changes in procedures resulting from process improvement

Policy Dissemination

A copy of this policy is provided to all employees, including temporary and contract employees as part of their initial induction at which time the intent of the policy is explained.

Copies are available on the Locher website, in the Locher Quality Management System and in the Locher HR Policy Manual, a copy of which is distributed to all employees at induction.