Management system
The Faculty of Science is committed to managing workplace risks to personal safety and the environment. EHS Unit is the central coordinating unit within the university, but the responsibility for actual implementation has been delegated to appropriate levels of the workplace. The Faculty of Science Environment Health and Safety Committee is responsible for coordinating environment and safety management in the Faculty of Science; departments are responsible for implementing the system in their work areas.
Environment and safety are being managed using two internationally recognised systems; EMS (Environment Management System, ISO14001:2004) and SafetyMAP. SafetyMAP and EMS are very similar in their elements, and they are best managed by integrating them into the same management system.
An operational strategy has been developed to ensure an adequate and consistent approach across departments. This implementation plan has two major facets:
The system
The first component, the System, defines the roles and responsibilities at the organizational level (i.e., the Department); in particular the ultimate responsibility of the HOD and the roles of all personnel delegated to oversee various EMS functions.
Operational aspects
The second component, the Operational Aspects, outlines the procedures that need to be undertaken to make the workplace compliant; these are largely the responsibility of the departmental EHS Officer and the Work Area Supervisors.
This strategy is outlined in the Operational Strategy Flow Chart : PDF : 80KB
The Faculty's priority EHS objectives are detailed in the Faculty EHS Strategic Plan : PDF : 53KB
Requirements of system
- Managed and ongoing
- Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined
- Awareness levels are high
- Participation is high
- Compliance is documented
- Auditable by records and interviews
- Conformance with legislative requirements (EHS Unit to advise)
Requirements of operation
- Risks are identified and assessed
- Risk control measures are implemented and supported by work procedures
- Documented training and authorization for all personnel
- Immediate availability of records/information to all personnel in the immediate workplace
