• Section 1 - Purpose and Context
• Access to Buildings
• After Hours Safety on Campus
• Recommendation for Safe Conduct

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) It is the policy of the University of Western Sydney to establish a safe place of work, safe working methods and to provide safe plant, machinery and equipment and adequate training and support systems. All members of the University community are required to consider the safety, health factors and accident potential of all the activities they are involved in at the University and will plan such activities in such a manner as to reduce the risk of accidents. Managers, supervisors and lecturers at all levels will ensure that prompt action is taken to correct unsafe conditions and practices in their area of responsibility and activity.

(2) Students are integral members of the University community and as such are required to consider the safety, health factors and accident potential of the academic and non-academic activities with which they are involved at the University.

(3) Postgraduate and Honours students are required to observe all rules regarding safe practice and conduct, as well as complying with reasonable requests that are made to ensure their safety and health or that of others.

(4) All staff, Postgraduate and Honours students need to be aware of their obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to work in a safe manner and to report any hazardous areas or incidents to their direct supervisor.

(5) It is recognised that Postgraduate and Honours students have a requirement to pursue their studies and research outside of the University's normal business hours, during which period the University functions with minimum staffing levels, therefore the procedures for after hours access and safety at each campus must be complied with. Details can be obtained from the Student Central.

Access to Buildings

(6) Staff will be provided with the means to gain access to areas authorised by the relevant Unit Head.

(7) Undergraduate students will not be issued with such means. For special circumstances authorisation must be provided to Security by the Unit Head (or delegate). An authorisation form must be filled out.

(8) All higher degree research students will be provided with a means of access (such means of access may be effected by provision of a key, or by electronic coding of the student ID card) to areas authorised by the Unit Head (or delegate) on the conditions set out below:

1. There will be no cost to the student.
2. In the event a student loses equipment provided as means of access, Security must be notified, and the student must pay for a replacement.
3. At the completion of study, the student must return the means of access to Security before departing from the campus; in the case of a student ID card, the electronic coding will be disabled. Failure to do so may make the student a debtor to the University and may affect their graduation.

(9) Undergraduate students will not normally be allowed access into Campus buildings after hours. Prior notification to Security must be made for special circumstances and authorisation provided.

After Hours Safety on Campus

(10) Each academic and administrative unit must provide their students and staff with a code of practice indicating procedures and emergency procedures for the use of that area and equipment. A copy of each code must be supplied to Security. Under no circumstances are children allowed in laboratories.

(11) For the purpose of definition, 'after hours' is defined as when boom gates or normal facilities are closed. 'After hours' may be defined specifically by each Academic Unit. Students and staff must refer to School Codes of Practice.

(12) Normal laboratory (hazardous area) hours are defined as: 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. Some laboratories may vary from these times. Workshops or laboratories will not be considered to be after hours if they are under the control and supervision of authorised staff.

1. Staff and students working beyond 10pm Monday to Friday, outside 7am to 5pm Saturday and outside 10am to 2pm Sunday, must sign in and out of the building in the 'After Hours' book located in the entrance foyer to each building. 'After Hours' books will be provided and maintained by Academic Units occupying the building.
2. If a person is working alone in a laboratory or other high risk area, they must be provided with, and use, a personal pager networked into the campus security system. (Pagers must be available for use in all laboratories that are used after hours.) The pager will be fitted with a lone worker security button. Faculties will provide this equipment for the use of all higher degree research students.
3. A Faculty's Code of Practice should cover students and staff involved in laboratory and field work.
4. The recommendations from AS2243.1, 1.5 must be followed and interpreted in conjunction with the Code of Practice issued by each Faculty.
5. All staff and students must ensure that doors are locked behind them when entering or leaving a building after hours. Staff and students must use the designated after hours entrance/exit.
6. Faculties must identify in their Codes of Practice what are 'significant risks' and what procedures must be used when working in isolation after hours.
7. Faculties must appoint a 'safety officer' who will ensure that the 'after hours' sign-in book is in place and correctly maintained. They will also develop an implementation code, pertinent to their area, that conforms with this policy.

Recommendation for Safe Conduct

(13) Listed below are some basic rules that must be observed by laboratory users. This list is not exhaustive. In all laboratories the minimum standards that must be observed are those contained in the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and its Regulations and the Australian Standard 2243 Safety in Laboratories.

(14) The following list of recommendations applies to all personnel working within a laboratory:-

1. Never adopt a casual attitude in the laboratory and always be conscious of the potential hazards.
2. Ensure that personal clothing is suitable to laboratory conditions, eg. non-slip, closed-in footwear. Do not wear open-toed shoes in the laboratory.
3. Always wear eye protection when in the laboratory area.
4. Use protective clothing and devices appropriate to the type of operation being carried out giving due consideration to the work being carried out in the vicinity.
5. Never run in the laboratory or along corridors.
6. Never indulge in reckless behaviour in the laboratory.
7. Always exercise care when opening and closing doors and entering or leaving the laboratory.
8. It is further recommended, wherever possible, students and staff do not work in isolation in the laboratory; ensure that at least a second person is within call.

(15) Students who persistently violate this policy will have their after hours access privileges denied and action will be taken under the Misconduct - Student Non-Academic Misconduct Policy.

(16) Staff who persistently violate this policy will have their after hours access privileges denied and disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with the Misconduct - Student Non-Academic Misconduct Policy.