Faculty of Science
Working After Hours or
Alone Procedure
Version
1.0
TRIM file number
D09 /13610
Faculty of Science Doc No.
Short description
Procedure ensuring controls are implemented to
minimise the risk associated with after hours or
alone in the FSc Facilities.
Relevant to
CSU staff, students and researchers
Authority
This Procedure has been approved by [Dean
Faculty of Science] under the Governance (Policy
and Procedures) Rule 2005 of the Council and
sections 20 and 32 of the CSU Act.
Responsible officer
Manager, University Laboratories
Responsible office
Faculty of Science
Date introduced
20/05/2011
Date(s) modified
August 2011
Next scheduled review date
May, 2014
Related University
documents
CSU Occupational Health and Safety Policy, CSU
Risk Management Policy, FSc Risk Assessment
Procedure
Related legislation
OHS Act 2000 & Regulation 2001
Key words
Procedure, working after hours, alone, authorisation
Working After Hours or Alone Procedure
Version 1.0 / Date effective August 2011
Page 1 of 6
1.
PURPOSE
In accordance with the CSU Occupational Health and Safety Policy, the CSU Risk
Management Policy and the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 the Faculty of
Science (FSc) shall provide a safe and healthy environment for staff, students, visitors
and contractors. Central to achieving this is staff, students, visitors and contractors
understanding their duty of care responsibilities and the specialised risk associated
with the FSc Facilities. Specialised risks are increased when individuals work outside
of normal working hours. This procedure aims to ensure controls are implemented that
minimise these risks.
2.
SCOPE
Includes all after hours work in the FSc Facilities and the use of hazardous plant,
equipment and substances where the individual is in an isolated location during normal
work hours. This procedure does not cover working in confined spaces or fieldwork.
3. PROCEDURE
3.1
Roles and Responsibility
Facility Managers are responsible for:
implementing the working after hours or alone procedure
defining ‘normal working hours’ for FSc Facilities
designating high risk facilities
assessing applications for working after hours or alone as outlined in 3.2
completing the After Hours or Working Alone Authorisation Form
Heads of School are responsible for:
ensuring the working after hours or alone procedure is implemented.
final approval for staff and higher degree students to work after hours or alone in
medium and high risk areas, or where the risk involved is assessed as being
medium to high (see FSc Risk Assessment Procedure)
signing the After Hours or Working Alone Authorisation Form
Staff, higher degree students and authorised persons are responsible for:
ensuring they understand their duty of care responsibilities
completing a risk assessment, in consultation with their supervisor, that details
control measures for working after hours or alone as outlined in 3.2.1.
3.2
Managing After Hours and Alone Work
Before seeking approval to work after hours or alone the individual requesting approval,
in consultation with their supervisor and the Facility Manager, must:
complete a risk assessment (see FSc Risk Assessment Procedure) including why
work needs to be done outside normal working hours or alone
have competencies assessed
Working After Hours or Alone Procedure
Version 1.0 / Date effective August 2011
Page 2 of 6
obtain approval
complete a review, at a nominated time, ensuring the effectiveness of the work
procedures
3.2.1 Risk Assessment
Working after hours or alone is an identified risk and shall be assessed through a
risk assessment (see Risk Assessment Procedure).
3.2.2 Competency
Only workers who are deemed competent may work after hours or alone.
Competency is assessed by the Supervisor, Line Manager or Facility Manager.
Records are filed by the Facility Manager.
3.2.3 Approval to work after hours or alone
All individuals are required to obtain written approval (see table 1 for level of
approval required) to work after hours or alone.
Paperwork:
signed risk assessment (including Standard Operating Procedures for
processes and equipment)
signed After Hours and Working Alone Authorisation Form
Paperwork should be retained by the individual, with copies to both the supervisor
and the Facility Manager.
Table 1 After Hours Approval
Risk
Assessment
Matrix number
1
Attention
Approval Level
Very High
Risk
NO work to be done
at this risk level
2
High Risk
3
Medium
risk
HOS, Manager of
University laboratories
(or delegate), Facility
Manager and
Supervisor
HOS, Facility
Manager and
Supervisor
Working After Hours or Alone Procedure
Version 1.0 / Date effective August 2011
Explanation and examples
Examples include:
Using naked flames and flammable
solvents.
Working in cool rooms
Large Animal Handling
Using power tools
The proposed activity can only proceed if all
controls are in place, the task cannot be
undertaken during normal working hours and
all approvals have been obtained. See
Appendix A - AS2243.1:2005 for examples
The proposed activity can proceed for a
competent worker with appropriate controls
and approvals. Examples include:
Undertaking laboratory low risk work in a
medium risk laboratory.
Working with small volumes of hazardous
substances where the risk assessment
identifies the risk as moderate
Page 3 of 6
4/5 or 6
Low Risk
Supervisor and
Facility Manager
Generally defined as staff and students
undertaking office based work where the areas
being accessed are clearly defined. Implement
the following controls and precautions to
alleviate the hazards:
A reliable means of communication is
available
Security staff are notified of expected
arrival and departure times.
Personal security measures are to be
undertaken e.g. lock external doors,
walk in well-lit areas, request security
escort if required.
CSU identification card must be
carried at all times.
NO unauthorised persons are allowed
in CSU Facilities
3.2.4 Review
Approval to work after hours or alone should be reviewed when there are any
changes to the work, equipment or locations.
3.3
Disputes
If a dispute cannot be resolved it shall be referred to the Manager, Occupational
Health and Safety for assessment. Work cannot commence until resolution is
reached by all parties.
3.4
Disciplinary Actions
Staff, students or researchers failing to follow this procedure will be subject to the
University's CSU Code of Conduct.
4. References and Related University Documents
AS/NZS 2243.1 Australian Standard Safety in Laboratories Part 1: Planning and
Operational Aspects
After Hours or Working Alone Authorisation Form
Risk Assessment Procedure
WorkCover NSW
5. APPENDIX
A
High Risk Activities AS2243.1:2005
6. Table of amendments
Version
Date
Working After Hours or Alone Procedure
Version 1.0 / Date effective August 2011
Short description of amendment
Page 4 of 6
number
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
1.0
6/2009
1/2011
8/2011
8/2011
8/2011
Draft
Included more definitions/LD
Amended K Kent
Amended L Hawkins
First version
Working After Hours or Alone Procedure
Version 1.0 / Date effective August 2011
Page 5 of 6
APPENDIX A
HIGH RISK HAZARDS (AS2243.1:2005)
High risk hazards which may be encountered include the following:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
Operating equipment or machinery, including workshop machinery, capable of
inflicting serious injury, such as chainsaws, firearms, lathes and power saws.
Handling venomous reptiles, insects, arthropods or fish.
Working with large animals other than for the purpose of feeding or observation.
Working with, or near, toxic or corrosive substances where there is a significant risk
of exposure to the substance, taking into account the volume used.
Using apparatus that could result in explosion, implosion, or the release of high
energy fragments or significant amounts of toxic or environmentally damaging
hazardous material.
Climbing towers or high ladders.
Working with exposed energized electrical or electronic systems with nominal
voltages exceeding 50 V a.c. or 120 V ripple-free d.c. NOTE: These limits are for dry,
indoor conditions and a more conservative approach should be taken in other
conditions.
Working with radionuclides requiring a high level laboratory in accordance with AS
2243.4 for Australia
Working with microorganisms of Risk Group 3 and higher, or which require the use of
a Containment Level 3 facility or higher containment level in accordance with AS/NZS
2243.3.
Operating lasers of Class 3 and above.
Working in environments not at atmospheric pressure.
Working After Hours or Alone Procedure
Version 1.0 / Date effective August 2011
Page 6 of 6