Welcome to our comprehensive Health Safety & Wellbeing Induction Handbook for employees and contractors. This guide outlines essential safety protocols, responsibilities, and procedures to ensure everyone's wellbeing while working at our facilities. Our first priority is to ensure personal safety and the safety of our colleagues, contractors, visitors, and communities.
This handbook covers critical information including workplace policies, emergency procedures, hazard identification, and specific safety protocols for various work environments. By understanding and following these guidelines, you'll help maintain a safe and productive workplace for everyone.
IA
by Ian Abrahams
Forklifts & pedestrians
1
Exclusion Zones
To ensure pedestrian safety, maintain a strict 3-meter or 10 foot separation between pedestrians and operating forklifts at all times. Clearly marked exclusion zones should be established, and physical barriers should be used in high-traffic areas where forklifts are in operation to prevent accidental collisions.
2
Forklift Design
All forklifts must be regularly inspected and well-maintained according to the manufacturer's guidelines. They should be fitted with speed governors to limit their maximum speed, especially in areas with pedestrian traffic, to prevent accidents and ensure safer operation.
3
Emergency Resources
Ensure readily available resources for all types of emergencies, including a sufficient number of trained staff members certified in first aid and CPR. Clearly marked and easily accessible first aid stations should be available throughout the facility, equipped with necessary medical supplies to handle injuries promptly and effectively.
4
Hi-Vis Clothing
All pedestrians, including employees and visitors, must wear high-visibility clothing, such as vests or jackets, to ensure they are easily seen by forklift operators and other vehicle drivers in shared zones, particularly in areas with poor lighting or during night-time operations, thus reducing the risk of accidents.
Safety First Value
Our Priority
Our first priority is to ensure our own personal safety and the safety of our colleagues, hire casuals, contractors, visitors, customers, partners and communities. At no time is safety to be compromised.
Site Awareness
Everyone must be made aware of the hazards present on the site and what is required to manage them so that potential incidents are avoided.
Safe Practices
Understanding safe paths of travel, working procedures, isolation of equipment, permit systems, handling of hazardous chemicals, emergency response, and appropriate PPE is essential for everyone's safety.
Activities at this site involve separate processes that require specific safety protocols. This handbook outlines the safety requirements that must be demonstrated while working for our organization. All contractors must complete this induction and confirm they and their employees will conduct themselves safely per our requirements.
Definitions & Responsibilities
Key Definitions
A Contractor is any person coming onto the site to carry out work. General Contractors provide various services and interact with plant and facilities. Sub Contractors are employed by General Contractors. Low Risk Contractors provide services deemed low risk and don't need access to production areas.
Management Responsibilities
Management is committed to providing a workplace that is safe and without risks to health by complying with relevant legislation, providing information, training, and supervision to ensure understanding of workplace hazards and safety procedures.
Employee Responsibilities
All employees and contractors must assess hazards, follow procedures, report incidents, take reasonable care for their own health and safety, and cooperate with management regarding safety requirements. No one should willfully interfere with safety equipment.
Workplace Policies
1
Policies and Procedures
We have established HSW policies and procedures to ensure compliance and provide a safe work environment. These apply to all people working on site and are displayed on notice boards or made available electronically. Any breaches may result in formal disciplinary actions.
2
Appropriate Behavior
Everyone must work and behave appropriately and professionally. We expect high standards of personal conduct, treating everyone with courtesy and respect. Inappropriate behavior including discrimination, bullying, harassment, and offensive language is regarded as serious misconduct.
3
Safety Rules
Behaviors inconsistent with our safety beliefs will not be tolerated, including deliberately causing harm, knowingly violating procedures, allowing unsafe work, interfering with safety devices, and inappropriate behavior toward others.
Site Safety Rules
Site Access
Different access protocols exist for hire casuals, low-risk contractors, night cleaners, and general contractors. All must sign in, receive proper induction, and follow specific entry procedures. Swipe cards/fobs must only be used by the person they're allocated to.
Emergency Evacuation
In emergencies, follow the evacuation procedure and warden directions. "Beep Beep" means prepare to evacuate; "Whoop Whoop" means evacuate immediately. Leave via the nearest safe exit, proceed to evacuation points, and don't return until instructed.
First Aid
Only trained First Aiders should administer first aid. Don't move injured persons unless necessary for safety. First Aiders are listed on site Safety Boards, and First Aid Rooms/Kits are located throughout the facility.
Incident Reporting & Communication
1
Report Immediately
All hazards, near misses, incidents, property damage, and injuries must be reported to your supervisor/manager immediately. This includes injuries, illnesses, trips, falls, collisions, and damage to equipment or stock.
2
Record in VAULT
Incidents must be recorded in the online Incident Reporting System "VAULT" no later than the end of shift. This ensures they can be acted on and eliminated to prevent future occurrences.
3
Investigation
Incidents must be investigated by the area Manager who will implement corrective actions to mitigate and where possible eliminate hazards. This helps prevent similar incidents in the future.
4
Communication Channels
We use various methods to share safety information including inductions, noticeboards, daily/weekly safety toolbox meetings, and training sessions. Contractors working more than one day must attend daily toolbox talks.
Workplace Environment
1
1
Housekeeping
Housekeeping is everyone's responsibility. Keep work areas free of materials that shouldn't be there. Emergency access paths and exits must remain unobstructed. Clean up spills immediately using appropriate spill kits.
2
2
Drug & Alcohol Guidelines
Everyone must report to work fit and not under the influence of non-prescription drugs or alcohol. Medication that may affect work safety must be discussed with supervisors before starting shifts. Unauthorized supply or consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs on site is prohibited.
3
3
Food & Drinks
Food consumption is restricted to designated areas. Non-alcoholic drinks must be in sealed containers. Everyone is expected to clean up after meals and keep lunchrooms tidy. Personal belongings should be stored in lockers, not kitchen areas.
4
4
Security
Security is everyone's responsibility. Report suspicious behavior to supervisors. Personal electronic devices may only be used in designated areas during breaks. Contractors need permission to take photographs on site.
Safety Hazards & Equipment
1
Hazard Identification
Hazards must be reported immediately and, where possible, fixed by the person identifying them. No task should commence until hazards have been assessed via risk assessment, Job Safety Analysis, or Safe Work Method Statements.
2
Material Handling Equipment
MHE operators must have current High-Risk Licenses, be assessed as competent, complete pre-operation checks, maintain safe distances from pedestrians, and follow all safety protocols including proper load handling and horn usage at intersections.
3
Traffic & Pedestrian Safety
Always use designated walkways, follow marked pathways, maintain the 3-meter exclusion zone between MHE and pedestrians, and obey all traffic signage. The site speed limit is 10 km/hr, and reverse parking is required in the car park.
4
Manual Handling
Use proper techniques: plan handling, check weight, keep loads close to body, avoid twisting, use legs properly, and seek assistance for heavy items. The maximum one person may lift alone is 15kg; anything heavier requires a two-person lift.
Personal Protective Equipment & Work Permits
Personal Protective Equipment
PPE provides an added layer of protection but doesn't always provide full protection. Hi-visibility clothing must be worn in production, warehouse, and traffic areas. Safety footwear is required in warehouse, production, and maintenance areas. Appropriate protective equipment must be worn as identified by site signage and work instructions.
Working at Heights
Working at heights above 2 meters requires a Permit to Work and is restricted to trained personnel. Harnesses and fall restraint systems must be regularly checked. Never use boxes, crates, or chairs to gain access to heights—use proper ladders or platforms.
Confined Space & Hot Work
Confined spaces must be clearly identified and appropriately labelled. Entry requires formal training certification and permission. Hot work in non-designated areas requires authorization. Both activities require Permits to Work and risk assessments completion before commencing.
Wellbeing Resources & Support
TELUS Health (Employee Assistance Program)
A free and confidential service for all employees and their families offering help with personal and work-related issues. Professionally trained clinicians are available 24/7, 365 days a year to help with family problems, marital concerns, financial matters, stress, depression, and other issues affecting personal or work life.
Crisis Support Services
Additional support resources include the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467), Lifeline (13 11 14), 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), and Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636). These services provide counseling and support for various personal crises.
Workplace Support
Our organization offers various wellbeing initiatives and programs throughout the year. We encourage open communication about mental health and provide resources to support employee wellbeing both at work and in personal life.
Outdoor Work Safety
When working outdoors, remember sun safety: Slip on protective clothing, Slop on sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade, and Slide on sunglasses. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, especially in hot conditions.