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August/September, 2015. In This Issue:
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OH&S @ Monash
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Greetings,
Welfare issues feature strongly in this edition, with a focus on health promoting strategies coming soon to Monash.
We also are pleased to report a number of success stories that have occurred since the last edition, and welcome a new Principal Consultant to the OH&S Team.
This edition also contains interesting and useful information about:
- The Australasian University Safety Association Conference;
- 2015 Influenza Vaccination Program;
- Local OHS Document Control;
- Mindfulness;
- Defibrillators;
- Emergency evacuation drills at Berwick;
- 10,000 steps in 2015;
- R U OK? day
Stay safe and healthy!
Norman Kuttner,
Manager, OH&S
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AUSTRALASIAN UNIVERSITY SAFETY ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
Monash OH&S goes international The biennial Australasian University Safety Association (AUSA) conference was
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| Pictured: Sally Hibbert, Runner up for best presentation. |
held in Queenstown, New Zealand, on 23-25 June 2015. AUSA is the network for OHS professionals servicing the tertiary education and research sector of Australasia
Several members of the OHS team attended and delivered papers to delegates from Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and the UK.
The Monash University OH&S delegation included: Norman Kuttner, Anne Ohlmus, John Hayman and Sally Hibbert. The team presented on new Occupational Health and Safety initiatives that have recently been developed and implemented across Monash University.
As is always the case, the Monash presentations were highly anticipated and extremely well attended as Monash University is seen as the sector leader in OH&S.
All presenters were commended and Sally Hibbert received the runner-up award for the best presentation. Her paper was titled; "Changing the approach and overcoming challenges to OHS internal auditing in a university environment".
Congratulations Sally!
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| The Monash University OH&S team in New Zealand |
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VICE-CHANCELLOR'S AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO OH&S
It's that time of year again when we encourage work areas to consider staff to be nominated for the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Exceptional Contributions to OHS.
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Winner of the 2014 Vice-Chancellor's Award for Exceptional Contributions to OHS Ricardo San Martin, pictured with the President & Vice Chancellor, Professor Margaret Gardner and Manager OHS, Norman Kuttner.
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The Award recognises the contributions of staff who show leadership relating to management of safety issues and the implementation of innovative and exciting ideas in Occupational Health and Safety, leading to and creating a safe and healthy workplace.
The award carries a financial reward of $3000 for an individual and $5000 for a team.
To apply and access details about the award, please click here.
For further information, contact your OHS consultant/advisor or ring the OHS helpline on 51016.
You are strongly encouraged to consider nominating a colleague or work group.
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INFLUENZA VACCINATIION PROGRAM
A Record Number!
This year various faculties and divisions at Monash University participated in complementary influenza immunisations in preparation for the colder seasons and flu months.
The vaccinations were conducted by Health Watch Australia, an independent Australian owned organisation with specialised interests in corporate health, medical practice management and public health education. Health Watch Australia offered a specialised, multi-facetted health care service through its corporate health division and a network of medical centres.
This is the first year that the Facilities and Services Division has coordinated the flu vaccination program for campuses including: Clayton, Caulfield, Peninsula, Parkville, Berwick, Alfred Hospital and Notting Hill. By coordinating the influenza vaccinations, the Facilities and Services Division has significantly reduced stress on individual departments.
The distribution of flu vaccinations to staff members commenced in April and concluded in June. The Facilities and Services Division is proud to announce that a record number of 2,662 staff members received immunisation against this year's influenza.
It is important to receive a vaccination against the flu each year to remain protected from aggressive viruses and to stay healthy in the colder months.
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| LOCAL OHS DOCUMENT CONTROL Staying Up To Date Academic/administrative units may develop local OHS policies, procedures and guidelines and in  accordance with Monash University's OHS Management System requirements, these must be regularly updated and controlled.
As such, strategic priority 3.2 of the 2015 Faculty/Divisional OHS Plan requires academic/administrative units to ensure that locally generated OHS documents are updated and sufficiently controlled.
To assist with this requirement, OH&S have developed the Local OHS Document Control and Retention Procedure, which is now available from the OH&S website.
Specifically, each local OHS document must be identified by a document title and include a document footer with version control.
Heads of academic/administrative units are responsible for the local implementation of this procedure in areas under their control. This may involve the regular review of local OHS documents by the local OHS committee as part of continuous OHS improvement strategies for the area.
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MINDFULNESS
FOR WELLBEING AND PEAK PERFORMANCE
Free Online Program For Staff
Richard Chambers and Craig Hassed have launched a free mindfulness program, which is available to all staff. Dr Craig Hassed is a General Practitioner and Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, and the Mindfulness Coordinator at Monash University. Craig is a regular speaker in Australia and internationally on the application of mindfulness for health and wellbeing
This practical six-week course explores the science, practice and philosophy of mindfulness. You will learn how to incorporate mindfulness practices into your life to reduce stress, improve mental health, and enhance your personal and professional life.
The online course aids staff members in learning mindfulness techniques in order to reduce stress, improve wellbeing and work/study performance.
It is hosted on an external platform called www.futurelearn.com, which means it is available to everyone, from anywhere in the world!
Details:
FREE online course
Begins on 14th September, 2015
Duration: 6 weeks, 2 hours per week
Certificates are available on completion
If you are interested in taking part, click here.
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| AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR PROGRAM
Your Health And Safety Is Our Occupation Monash University has an extensive Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) program across all campuses.
Defibrillators are lightweight, battery operated and portable devices that are easy and safe to use in the case of cardiac arrest. The machine gives clear spoken instructions and once in position is able to detect the heart's rhythm. These defibrillators are remarkable as they will not deliver a shock unless one is needed.
There are now over 46 defibrillators situated throughout the Monash University campuses (including the Security offices). Locations can be viewed here and are available on the front page of the OHS website.
The majority of defibrillators currently accessible at Monash University are Defibtech AEDs (automatic external defibrillators). These were chosen for their ease of use, safety and easily recognisable cover.
In addition, all Monash University first aiders (approximately 570) are trained and refreshed in defibrillator use and CPR every 3 years, as part of their first aid qualification.
When possible, It is preferable that trained first aiders use a defibrillator in case of an emergency. However, in an urgent situation when no first aider is available, an untrained person may also safely use the defibrillator by following the voice prompts.
It is recommended that staff refer to the defibrillator location list to locate their nearest defibrillator.Staff who are interested in becoming a Monash University First aider should first discuss this with their supervisor. Course details are available from SDU - http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/staff-development/a-z.html
Monash is very fortunate to have such an extensive defibrillator program.
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EMERGENCY WARDENS
Keeping Us Safe
Personnel from Monash Residential Services and Facilities and Services recently conducted evacuation drills at the Berwick campus.
These drills are extremely important as they ensure the safety and wellbeing the public, staff and students.
It is essential that emergency drills are conducted regularly as they test the efficiency and capability of emergency equipment, while also familiarising occupants with emergency procedures. These procedures can include the recognition of alarm system sounds and the practice of evacuation events.
All staff and students were successfully evacuated from offices and student accommodation for a short period of time.
The emergency team should be congratulated for their efforts and success.
The team includes: Tim Wong , Patricia Thorne, Ian Mortlock, Elizabeth Myers, Belinda Hancock and Liz Myers.
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| OHS BEST PRACTICE Clean Up Days @ Monash HR A proactive approach to OHS has been adopted by Monash HR who have implemented clean-up days as part of their OHS risk management program. This is in addition to the biannual workplace inspections and provides a wonderful example of how office areas can achieve best practice OHS measures. Good housekeeping can eliminate workplace hazards and is the foundation for the prevention of workplace incidents. Many workplace incidents and hazards can be directly attributed to poor housekeeping, for example: slips, trips and falls from objects on floors, stairs and platforms; being hit by falling objects; cuts; sprains and strains; and fire. 
There is a direct link between good housekeeping and a safer workplace, including: - a more effective use of workspace - improved traffic flow for people and equipment - prevention of workplace incidents - improved productivity and quality, and - improved staff morale Finally, the key to an effective housekeeping program and the success of the Monash HR clean-up days is that everyone takes responsibility. |
| 10,000 STEPS Get Ready to Step Out Registrations for the Monash 2015 10,000 Steps Challenge will open shortly. This year our virtual destination will be going global and covering the beautiful country of Italy! The challenge will commence on Monday October 26th and will launch with the Global Walk/Run to motivate walkers. Keep an eye out to register your team(s) soon! 
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| MONASH R U OK? DAY Every Conversation Counts Monash is proud to be a program partner of R U OK? Day for 2015. R U OK? Day will be held on Thursday the 10th of September. R U OK? Day is a national day of action that reminds us that every person and every conversation counts. Building a community that is caring and suicide aware, is everybody's business. We can all have bad days but when bad days become months or years, some can lose hope. . This is why Monash has a University-wide mental health strategy for our staff and students. An important part of this strategy is education, mental health promotion and early intervention. 
For more information and copies of flyers, and posters, please visit the R U OK? Page |
| EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Free External Counselling For Staff And Their Families A free, professional external counselling service (called EAP) is available to all Monash employees and their immediate family members. 
The service offers confidential, short-term support for a variety of work-related and personal problems that may be affecting you at work or at home, including:
- Interpersonal conflict and tension
- Work-related stress
- Changes in your work environment
- Harassment and grievances
- Relationship or family matters
- Personal and emotional stress
- Grief and bereavement
- Career issues
- Mental health concerns
- Personal crisis or trauma
The key principles of EAP are to ensure that:
- it is available to all staff members and their immediate families free of charge;
- access to EAP is voluntary;
- professional counselling is provided by qualified psychologists;
- strictest confidentiality is maintained by the provider;
- staff members seeking assistance will not jeopardise their employment in any way; and
For more information visit the Monash Employee Assistance Program
or call 1800 350 359. |
| INTRODUCING DAVID KEBBELL Principal OHS Consultant
Having worked for 24 years in OHS regulatory roles, both in the UK and
 with WorkSafe Victoria, David moved to 'the other side of the fence' in 2014 as Lead OHS Advisor with the City of Boroondara, prior to attaining his role here at Monash.
David has worked with thousands of diverse workplaces and a broad range of stakeholders to deliver safety outcomes and has, unfortunately, had to investigate many serious workplace incidents.
David has over 12 years management experience and considers himself an 'all-round generalist' in the OHS field with specific expertise in occupational hygiene and plant safety.
He focusses on working closely with the workforce at all levels and empowering/motivating them to drive sustainable safety outcomes and gradual cultural change.
Safety Tip: Focus on areas of significant risk and take time to consider "what can go wrong here" before undertaking an activity or task.
If something doesn't feel right, seek advice!
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| MEET THE OH&S TEAM Angela Wall 
I commenced my occupational health career in Africa as an occupational health advisor in a large supermarket. As there were very few health facilities in the immediate area, I often found myself looking after not just staff but also their families. I rapidly learnt to appreciate and be sensitive to the many different customs and cultures I came across. While in Africa I commenced further qualifications in occupational health. This culminated in obtaining a Master of Occupational Health in Australia. It was an added bonus to experience a wide range of different learning conditions. Since coming to Australia I have had occupational health roles in the retail, transport and banking sectors. These roles have included injury management, health promotion, safety and first aid training. I have been an Occupational Health Nurse Consultant at Monash University since 2000. I am part of the Occupational Health Team in OHS and job share with Occupational Health Nurse Consultant - Helen Powell. I have an ongoing passion for first aid. This started in my youth when I was a St John Ambulance cadet and I have continued this interest in my current role. Being at Monash has given me the opportunity to regularly attend first aid conferences, so we can ensure Monash University has the most up to date first aid provision. For me, each day presents new and exciting professional challenges, a great opportunity to collaborate with the Health Team and also to learn something new. Helpful tip: Find out the location of your nearest first aider and defibrillator - as you never know when you might need them !
Click here for the defibrillator locations
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