Entity titleUniversity Safety CommitteeEntity identifier20Entity typeAgencyDate range1963 - 1987DescriptionThe University Safety Committee was appointed by Council in 1963 and held its inaugural meeting on 19 March 1963. Its role was to be purely advisory, with ultimate responsibility for safety measures lying with heads of departments. The committee initially reported through the Professorial Board but in July 1967 became a standing committee of Council.
The committee’s function was to advise on safety measures throughout the campus, particularly in the areas of roads and traffic, floor surfaces, radiation hazards and workshop protection. The Safety Committee released its first general safety policy in 1969 and a year later on the committee’s recommendation, the university’s first Safety Officer was appointed.
By 1971 the Safety Committee’s terms of reference were defined as:
1. Making recommendations to Council and acting with the object of raising safety standards in the University
2. Acquainting chairmen of departments and other responsible persons in the University of any situation involving danger which comes to its notice
3. Examining, in collaboration with the Buildings Committee, safety aspects of design of new buildings and of new construction
4. Being available for consultation with persons in the University
5. Making available expert advice and instruction
6. Making recommendations on methods of traffic control and formulating rules and regulations
7. Consulting with Buildings and Grounds Branch with a view to making recommendations on the location of roads, pavements etc. with the purpose of reducing traffic hazards.
In 1986 an Occupational Health and Safety Manager was appointed and shortly afterward a branch of the Comptroller’s Office was created to deal with the whole area of occupational health and safety. This brought the university’s policies and procedures into line with the provisions of the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1985. The Safety Committee was one of several relevant committees to be reviewed at this time. Finding that the OHS Branch would encompass most of the functions which the Safety Committee was established to perform, the committee recommended to Council that it be dissolved. The motion was approved by Council in December 1987.
