Last year when Mick Scarvelis took over the reins as CEO at Alice Springs Town Council, he decided this was an ideal time to undertake a comprehensive review of the organisation’s occupational health and safety program. He saw it as an opportunity to look at an issue and involve everyone in a planning process.
The first step was for members of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee to undertake a training process and have all facilities audited. WorkHealth officers have been through the organisation conducting a full audit of the workplace. This covered everything from floor coverings to wiring and entry and exit points.
The audit extended to all Council sites, including the library, swimming pool, depot, public function rooms and the new hall. Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator Ingo Steppat said the audit, readily identified any problem areas.
By and large the system in place was working well and only minor matters needed to be addressed. All work teams are now required to regularly assess risks in their own area and report to the Occupational Health and Safety Committee.
Precautionary imperatives include having no one work alone in isolated areas and having qualified First Aid personnel present at jobs which have high risks attached, such as chainsaw teams.
First Aiders are paid for their additional expertise in this important role. Included in the safety requirements are people working under contract to Council. Contractors must use the same occupational health and safety standards as applied by Council. Ingo Steppat said that Council has enjoyed a good record in occupational health.
“If we can maintain the record we already have we’ll be happy,” he said. “One problem is trying to maintain that standard and keep up to date safety equipment and appropriate precautions as technology and work changes.”
Council is also undertaking an audit on public places in Alice Springs. At the moment, it is designing pamphlets so people hiring Council facilities have information readily available on safety precautions that must be taken.
For further information contact Ingo Steppat, telephone (08) 8950 0533.
