This procedure describes the way in which ACBC policies, guidelines, procedures and forms are generated, approved and issued.

All ACBC agencies must comply with statutory obligations under Work Health and Safety legislation. The aim of this procedure is to ensure that:

• There is a process for regularly identifying the legislation that applies to ACBC agencies.
• There is a process for developing and implementing policies and processes as required by legislation.
• There is a process for monitoring compliance with legislation.

Employers are required by legislation to consult with workers on any issue or situation which may have an effect on their health and safety at work.  The ACBC recognises the importance of consultation with workers on health and safety matters in developing and implementing processes which will assist in making our workplaces safe.

There several avenues through which consultation takes place.  These are detailed in this procedure.

In addition, the ACBC has formed a WHS Network, which is consulted on matters relating to WHS policies and procedures.  The members of this group represent each of our workplaces.  They are consulted on development of policies and processes.  Part of their role is to forward proposed policies and procedures to employees at their workplaces for input.  The feedback obtained is considered by the Network in developing policies and procedures.

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that there is a process in place for the workers to be represented by Health and Safety Representatives chosen by them, to consult with the employer on matters relating to Work Health and Safety

The purpose of this procedure is to outline the processes for consultation, formation and operation of Work Health and Safety Committees at Australian Catholic Bishops Conference workplaces.

This procedure applies when a work health and safety matter is raised through the standard process for reporting and investigation of incidents and hazards but has not been resolved to the satisfaction of any party.

Risk assessment and risk control is an essential part of managing workplace health and safety. It enables us to implement appropriate measures to control foreseeable risks to health and safety in our workplaces.

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that a systematic process is used to identify, assess and control risks to workplace health and safety arising from activities undertaken by the ACBC and its agencies.

This procedure describes the process of risk management, which is the overall process of risk identification, risk analysis and risk evaluation, risk control and review.

Associated documents:

document WHS001 Risk ID, Assessment & Control (344 KB)

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) recognises that Workplace stress can have serious, negative consequences for both workers and the organisation and is to be minimised. The purpose of this procedure is to endeavour to provide a healthy and safe workplace that is free from workplace harassment, violence and stress. To this end, the ACBC will endeavour to:

• work with supervisors who have identified workplace stressors and conduct risk assessments to eliminate stress or control the risks from stress. These risk assessments will be regularly reviewed as part of the health and safety risk assessment process
• provide training for all supervisory staff in good management practices
• provide a confidential Employee Assistance Program for workers affected by stress

Musculoskeletal injuries are the most common type of injury experienced by office workers.  The aim of this process is to identify activities which may have a component of hazardous manual handling, to assess the degree to which these activities may result in manual handling injuries and to implement control measures to reduce these risks as far as practicable.

Associated documents:

document WHS002 Hazardous Manual Handling ID (360 KB)

document WHS003 Hazardous Manual Handling Risk Assessment & Control (364 KB)

The purpose of this procedure is to set out the basic principles for managing the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous substances and dangerous goods at ACBC workplaces. The overarching principle is to provide a systematic method for identifying and controlling potential chemical hazards in order to minimise the risk of adverse health and safety effects to people, the environment or property.

Associated documents:

document WHS018 Identification of Hazardous Substances & Dangerous Goods (375 KB)

document WHS019 Risk Assessment & Control Hazardous Substances (345 KB)

document WHS020 Risk Assessment & Control Dangerous Goods (345 KB)

document WHS021 Register of Hazardous Substances and Dangerous Goods (366 KB)

This procedure provides guidance on how to manage risks associated with asbestos and asbestos containing material (ACM) in the workplace so that risk to workers of asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer are eliminated or minimised.   This procedure gives information on how to identify the presence of asbestos at the workplace and how to implement measures to eliminate or minimise the risk of exposure to airborne asbestos fibers.

Associated document:

document WHS026 Asbestos Register (335 KB)

The purpose of this procedure is to protect ACBC workers from the health hazards which may result from exposure to hazardous noise at ACBC workplaces. This is achieved by the identification, assessment and control of hazardous noise.
Managing the risks related to noise will help to:

• Protect workers from hearing loss and other hearing problems (e.g. tinnitus)
• Improve the ability to hear warning sounds
• Create a less stressful work environment

Associated documents:

document WHS025 Noise Identification Assessment & Control Checklist (142 KB)

During the course of work we are required to use items of plant and equipment which rely on an external source of power such as electricity, gas or petrol such as lawn mowers, vacuum cleaners, hole punchers and binding machines.  It is important to be able to use items such as these safely.

The purpose of this procedure is to set out the basic principles for managing the safety of items of plant and equipment used in our workplaces.  The overarching principle is to provide a systematic method for identifying and controlling risks to health and safety to people, the environment or property

The purpose of this process is to provide guidance on a risk management approach to the prevention of falls at our workplaces.  In most cases work at heights will be carried out by independent contractors.  In the office environment, working at heights is restricted to the use of ladders, stepladders and step-stools.

The purpose of this procedure is to give guidelines on the selection, provision, use and maintenance of personal protective equipment.

We all have an obligation to keep our workplaces safe and to proactively seek to address hazards which may be present in our workplaces.

We do this by systematically inspecting our workplaces and addressing any hazards that are found.  This procedure describes the way in which these inspections are to be carried out.

Associated document:

spreadsheet WHS008 Workplace Safety Inspection Checklist (23 KB)

In order to improve health and safety at our workplaces, it is vitally important for all employees, contractors, volunteers and visitors to report any incidents or hazards at the workplace.  This enables us to investigate the issues raised and to implement effective corrective actions.

This procedure sets out a process for reporting and investigating incidents and hazards. 

Associated documents:

document WHS009 Incident,Hazard Reporting & Investigation (426 KB)

document WHS006 Notification of Receipt of Incident,Hazard Report (327 KB)

document WHS007 Notification of Findings and Corrective Action (328 KB)

We have a legislative obligation to report some types of accidents and incidents to the State/Territory WorkCover Authority. 

This procedure outlines our obligations, and our process for reporting these accidents and incidents.

The aim of this procedure is to ensure that:

• There are adequate processes to deal with emergencies at ACBC agencies
• Appropriate training is given to all staff that have been assigned a role in the control of emergencies at ACBC workplaces
• Awareness training on emergency procedures is given to all workers at ACBC workplaces

The aim of this procedure is to ensure that:

• There are adequate arrangements to deal with emergencies at ACBC agencies
• appropriate training is given to all workers that have been assigned a role in the control of emergencies at ACBC workplaces

Associated document:

WHS PRO 020 Emergency Procedures