Recognition of performance on a voluntary basis of formal health and safety roles through granting of two days special leave per annum.
Granting of Two Days Special Leave for Volunteer Health and Safety Roles
Staff who voluntarily perform formal health and safety roles are eligible to receive two additional days special leave per annum. Staff must meet the eligibility requirements outlined below and perform the role for at least 9 months within a 12 month period in order to access the special leave. Performance in the role is not required to be consecutive, but must equate to a total of 9 months over the 12 month period. Staff voluntarily performing multiple formal health and safety roles will receive a maximum of two days special leave in total.
Eligibility is determined by Faculty/Divisional Health and Safety Committees followed by a recommendation for special leave to the Head of School/Head of Department.
Leave should be taken at a time discussed and agreed between the eligible staff member and their supervisor. The two day's special leave is to be managed locally. Eligible staff can apply for the leave via Staff Connect (VHSL), with organisational areas accountable for the accuracy of these records. Any related costs to the leave will be met from the local area budget. This special leave is non-cumulative, that is, it must be taken within each 12 month period.
"Voluntary role" means it excludes those where the role is a requirement of the position as outlined in the relevant position description and/or where a specific allowance is paid for performing the role.
Formal Health and Safety roles are defined as:
• Workplace Health and Safety Officer (WHSO) as nominated by management
• Workplace Health and Safety Representative (WHSR) as nominated or elected by colleagues
• Wardens
• Practice Area Radiation Safety Officer (PARSO)
• First Aid Officer.
Eligibility requirements
In addition to completing 9 months in the voluntary role within a 12 month period staff must also meet the following requirements to be eligible to access the special leave:
• WHSO/WHSRs participated in the legislated functions e.g. committee (attend 75% of annual scheduled meetings), inspections/audits, investigations and education
• Wardens, completed the ‘Appointment of Wardens’ form, participated in drills or routine inspections, provided feedback and attended at least one of the two required Warden meetings
• PARSOs attended 75% of the meetings and keep protection plans current
• First Aid Officers provided the service required, manage the kits, check the records and send them to HSAS annually
• Meet relevant legislative and policy requirements (for example, requirements of the Health and Safety Act).
Staff must also have met the relevant training requirements for each role as follows:
• WHSO/WHSRs who have completed training within ten years
• Wardens must have completed initial training and in subsequent years attended the refresher training
• PARSOs must have completed licence requirements
• First Aid Officers must be current in training including CPR.
Role of Health and Safety Committees
Faculty and Division Health and Safety Committees, the Institute Biosafety Committee and the Radiation Safety Committee are requested to amend their terms of reference through the addition of the following:
• The committee will maintain a list of staff undertaking formal health and safety voluntary roles with beginning and end dates of service
• The committee, which will meet a minimum of four times per annum, will review the eligibility of the staff and make a recommendation for special leave to Head of School/Head of Department.
A copy of each committee’s revised Terms of Reference should be provided to Roxanne Egeskov (Associate Director, HR Health & Safety Advisory Services) r.egeskov@qut.edu.au.