OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

Introduction

Cooke & Dowsett and its senior management are committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of the working environment for its staff, contractors and others. As a consequence of this Cooke & Dowsett encourages all members in the workplace to regard accident prevention and working safely as a collective and individual responsibility.

Commitment

Cooke & Dowsett recognises its responsibility under the relevant state Acts and associated legislation. Managers and supervisors have a key responsibility with regard to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of staff, contractors and others. In fulfilling this responsibility, managers have a duty to provide and maintain so far as practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risks to health. Cooke& Dowsett is therefore committed to:

Undertaking risk management activities to adequately manage risks to persons in the work environment, including review of changes to work methods and practices;

Compliance with all relevant legislation standards, and other relevant requirements;

Ensuring that plant, equipment and substances are safe and without risk to health when used in accordance with standard operating procedures;

Providing, monitoring and maintaining systems for the safe use, handling, storage and transportation of plant, equipment and substances;

Maintaining safe systems of work, the work premises and the work environment, including systems to adequately manage emergency response;

Providing adequate facilities to protect the welfare of all employees;

Providing appropriate OH&S training to all employees;

Providing information and supervision for all employees and contractors enabling them to work in a safe and healthy manner;

Consultation with all employees and contractors to enhance the effectiveness of the OH&S Management System;

Providing adequate resources, including finances, to facilitate the fulfillment of Cooke & Dowsett’s OH&S responsibilities;

Regular review and evaluation of Health and Safety Management systems including audits and workplace inspections;

The establishment of measurable objectives and targets to ensure continued improvement aimed at elimination of work-related injury and illness.

Responsibility and Accountability

The Directors have ultimate responsibility for the implementation and review of the Cooke & Dowsett’s OH&S policy, and delegation of OH&S management responsibilities. In fulfilling the objectives of this policy, management is committed to regular consultation with staff to ensure that the policy operates effectively and that health and safety issues are regularly reviewed.

In this regard, managers are responsible and accountable for day-to-day OH&S within their areas of responsibility, and have the authority to fulfill those responsibilities. The Health and Safety unit is available to consult and advise regarding specific OH&S matters and to assist with the development and implementation of OH&S system procedures and programs. The OH&S responsibilities of management at all levels, are detailed further in our OH&S management system.

Project Managers and Site Managers

Are responsible for the effective implementation and regular review of this OH&S policy;

Must observe, implement and fulfill responsibilities under relevant Acts and Regulations which apply to OH&S within the environment, and will endeavour to comply with Australian Standards and approved state Codes of Practice;

Must ensure that the agreed procedures for regular consultation between management and those with designated and elected OH&S responsibilities are followed;

Are responsible for ensuring that the OH&S management system is implemented, effective and consistent with Cooke & Dowsett’s objectives;

Must ensure that all significant risks associated with hazards in their operations are identified, controlled, registered and reviewed in consultation with employees;

Must ensure all incidents within their area of control are reported and investigated, and basic causes and control strategies identified.

Staff

Are required to take reasonable care of themselves and others in the workplace;

Have a responsibility to actively participate in the program;

Have a responsibility to comply with relevant OH&S management system policies, procedures and programs, as appropriate;

Must not bypass or misuse systems or equipment provided for OH&S purposes;

Must report any unsafe conditions that come to their attention.

OH&S Committee

Is consulted regarding Cooke & Dowsett OH&S Management system, including policy, procedure, and program review and implementation.

Contractors and Sub-Contractors

Are required to comply with the OH&S policies, procedures & programs set out by Cooke & Dowsett;

Must observe directions on health and safety from designated personnel.

Review

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will be identified and targets set to monitor and improve overall OH&S performance. This policy will be regularly reviewed as required by legislation and organisational changes or, as a minimum, every year.