SA Power Networks Work Health and Safety Directive

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1 SA Power Networks Work Health and Safety Directive

2 SA POWER NETWORKS

3 Purpose Purpose To ensure that SA Power Networks workers (including employees and contractors etc), customers and any other persons on any SA Power Networks workplace are not exposed to the risk of injury or disease. To define the responsibilities of senior management/officers, line management, leaders, employees and contractors for the implementation and compliance with SA Power Networks Work Health and Safety Policy and Directive. WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY DIRECTIVE 1

4 Definitions Officer means: a director or secretary of SA Power Networks; or a person: who makes, or participates in making decisions that affect the whole or a substantial part, of the business; or who has the capacity to affect significantly the organisation s financial standing. Worker Worker is any person who performs work for SA Power Networks. Competent Person Is a person who is suitably qualified (whether by experience, training or both) to carry out the work or function described in the Work Health and Safety Policy. Disciplinary Procedures Are SA Power Networks procedures which will be used in the case of disciplinary action being applied to any SA Power Networks employee in accordance with the applicable Enterprise Agreement. Hazard Is a situation, condition or behaviour that has the potential to cause injury or illness. Isolation Mechanism Is any tag or mechanical, electrical, or electronic device which has been used for the purposes of isolating equipment from being energised. Safety Device Is any mechanical, electrical or electronic equipment, or a combination of these that is in place to provide a worker with protection from injury while performing work. Leader Is any SA Power Networks worker who supervises the work of others. 2 SA POWER NETWORKS

5 Rehabilitation Workplace rehabilitation is a managed process involving early intervention with appropriate, adequate and timely services based on assessed need, and which is aimed at maintaining injured or ill employees in, or returning them to, suitable employment. 1 Risk Assessment Means the process of evaluating the probability and consequences of injury or illness arising from exposure to an identified hazard or hazards. General Safety Rule Is a safe work instruction, practice or behaviour that has been specified by SA Power Networks. These safety rules are usually specified in the safety manual and work instructions etc. Non Negotiable Safety Rule Is a safety rule which is in place to prevent potential serious injuries to workers and/or the public. These rules are non negotiable and must be adhered to at all times. Cardinal Safety Rule Is a safety rule which is considered fundamental to ensuring that the well being of SA Power Networks workers and the public is maintained. If it is demonstrated that the employee wilfully breached a cardinal rule their employment will be terminated. Appropriate actions will also be taken if any contractor wilfully breaches a cardinal rule. 1. National Occupational Health and Safety Council (NOHSC): Guidance Notes for Best Practice Rehabilitation Management of Workplace Injuries and Diseases, April WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY DIRECTIVE 3

6 Work Health and Safety Directive Application This Directive applies to all SA Power Networks workers (employees and contractors). Explanation The provision of a safe and healthy work environment for SA Power Networks workers (including employees and contractors and any other person who works for SA Power Networks), customers and the community is paramount. Accordingly SA Power Networks will: ensure health and safety considerations are an integral part of the process of purchasing, conceptual design, field modifications and the construction of plant including lines and substations and the delivery of services of any kind; design, construct and operate its facilities to safe standards which are acceptable to the electrical industry; identify, assess and control hazards to provide a safe working environment for employees, customers and the community; consult with workers and customers on matters that may affect their health and safety; interpret and enact the relevant legislation which may be amended from time to time; ensure compliance with all safety rules, cardinal rules and instructions in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Policy and Directives; provide effective rehabilitation and claims management services to meet the objectives specified in the Work Health and Safety Policy and Rehabilitation Procedures; involve injured employees in their rehabilitation and the decision making process required to achieve a safe and suitable return to work; and provide continued employment and training where applicable to all employees undergoing rehabilitation programs. General Safety Rules General Safety Rules are integral to the safe work procedures developed and implemented to protect workers from injury whilst at work. SA Power Networks is committed to provide information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure all workers under the control of SA Power Networks are aware of the safety rules and the need to comply with them as a condition of their employment. 4 SA POWER NETWORKS

7 Non-compliance with a Safety Rule may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Non Negotiable Safety Rules The SA Power Networks Non Negotiable Safety Rules which are available on the hub re-enforce operationally the safety priority that no job is so important that it can not be completed safely. This places the safety of people before that of protecting plant & equipment and continuity of supply. To ensure the safety of people, a risk assessment must be performed formally prior to the commencement of each job or task (eg. Job Folders / Job Sheets, Take 2 4 Safety) or informally depending on the nature of the work. Wilful non compliance with a Non Negotiable Safety Rule will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Cardinal Safety Rules The following are cardinal safety rules because they are considered fundamental to ensure the well being of SA Power Networks employees and contractors. 1. Except for an approved inspection, testing, maintenance or repair procedure, workers must not interfere with, remove or make ineffective any safeguard, safety device, equipment or appliance provided to prevent serious injury to any worker or member of the public. 2. An unauthorised person must not remove another worker s isolation mechanism. 3. A worker must wear prescribed personal protective equipment as directed. 4. No illegal drugs will be in the workplace. 5. No person will be in the possession of a firearm on SA Power Networks premises or in vehicles unless authorised (e.g. Police). Non-compliance with a cardinal rule is considered a serious breach of a person s conditions of employment and disciplinary action will be initiated. If it is demonstrated that the employee wilfully breached a cardinal rule their employment will be terminated. Appropriate actions will also be taken if any contractor wilfully breaches a cardinal rule. WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY DIRECTIVE 5

8 Responsibility Statement Chief Executive Officer is responsible for: ensuring that all reasonable and practicable steps are taken to: monitor the effectiveness of the health and safety performance of SA Power Networks; and hold management responsible for the effective implementation of, and compliance with the Work Health and Safety Policy and Directive. Officers are responsible for: exercising due diligence in accordance with their respective office within SA Power Networks. General Managers are responsible for promoting a safety culture including: displaying a good example through appropriate attitude and behaviour; holding line management accountable to achieve the intent of the Policy through the performance review and development system; establishing and monitoring the achievement of agreed health and safety performance objectives; and ensuring a program is in place to audit the established safety system for continuous improvement. Managers and Leaders are responsible for promoting a safety culture including: displaying a good example through appropriate attitude and behaviour; proactively identifying risks and incident trends and implementing corrective actions when and if required; ensuring workers have a clear understanding of all SA Power Networks Safety Rules, Non Negotiable Safety Rules and Cardinal safety rules and their responsibilities to comply with them; providing a working environment which enables the prevention of injuries to workers. This includes the development and implementation of safe work practices, the safe operation of plant and equipment and compliance with legislation; providing information, supervision, instruction and training to ensure employees are competent to carry out their work in a safe manner; 6 SA POWER NETWORKS

9 observing workers work behaviours to identify compliance with Safety Rules and Safe Work Instructions and assisting to develop a sound and resilient Safety Culture which eliminates complacency; consulting workers including elected health and safety representatives regarding current or new work instructions/ procedures including the introduction of new plant or equipment; involving and supporting workers and elected health and safety representatives in hazard identification, risk assessment and control; providing and supervising the wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment and ensuring its correct use; ensuring all incidents including near misses are investigated in accordance with SA Power Networks reporting procedures; ensuring that necessary steps are promptly taken to prevent incidents including near misses from recurring; ensuring ready access to SA Power Networks rehabilitation and counselling services for all employees; advising the relevant health and safety representative of any incident; assessing and monitoring capability of service providers in the supply chain, and verifying that they meet health and safety requirements; ensuring that before starting work all personnel are inducted; and ensuring a program is in place to audit the established safety system for continuous improvement, including the inspection and/or safety testing of personal protective equipment and other workplace equipment. All SA Power Networks Workers are responsible for: displaying a good example through appropriate attitude and behaviour; complying with the Cardinal Rules and other safety rules as specified in other SA Power Networks safety documents; being involved and committed to achieving an injury free workplace; ensuring their own safety and that of any others possibly affected by their actions; performing quality risk assessments to detect any hazards in the workplace and notifying the appropriate leader; speaking up to their leader about any safety concerns/issue; WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY DIRECTIVE 7

10 Responsibility Statement continued eliminating or controlling any workplace hazards (if qualified and/or competent to do so); complying with all safety instructions and safely operating equipment using approved safe work methods; making proper use of personal protective equipment whenever required and/or instructed to do so; performing work which they are qualified and competent to carry out safely; reporting to the responsible leader any incidents including near misses which have occurred; looking out for other workers; and complying with all relevant work health and safety legislation. Principal Contractor Responsibilities Where SA Power Networks is the Principal Contractor it is responsible for the following: monitoring workers and contractors under their control for compliance with relevant legislation, codes of practices and standards; ensuring all workers on the site are provided health and safety induction prior to commencing work; maintaining all health and safety induction records; taking all reasonable steps to ensure all workers provide relevant certificates of competency, licenses or permits required to perform the work safely; ensuring facilitation of consultation between all service providers on site and their workers (including those used by the service providers on site); obtaining copies of the contractors Safety Management Plans and Safe Work Method Statements; and satisfying and demonstrating the full requirements under the Safety Management System of the Client or, as appropriate, the Principal Contractor. The Manager, Work Health and Safety as the custodian of the Work Health and Safety Policy and Directive is responsible for: monitoring the implementation of the Policy and Directive; coordinating the review process for relevance to business requirements and consistency with legislation; and recommending any appropriate amendments to this Directive. 8 SA POWER NETWORKS

11 References References SA Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986 SA Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1995 Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and Regulations Model Work Health and Safety Legislation SA Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986 National Occupational Health and Safety Council (NOHSC): Guidance Notes for Best Practice Rehabilitation Management of Workplace Injuries and Diseases, April 1995 SA Power Networks Best Practice Guidelines Related Policies/Directives SA Power Networks Contractor Management Directive Number 1.2 SA Power Networks Design and Construction Directive Number 1.3 SA Power Networks Drug and Alcohol Directive Number 1.4 SA Power Networks No Smoking Directive Number 1.5 SA Power Networks Purchasing Directive Number 1.7 Incident Notification & Investigation Procedure Number 2.4 SA Power Networks Rehabilitation Procedures Signed R Stobbe Chief Executive Officer SA Power Networks September 2012 Directive number: 1.1 Date of Origin: 1995 Last Date of Review: September 2012 Version number: 6 Next Review Date: September 2015 Approved by: CEO WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY DIRECTIVE 9

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