Entity titleUniversity Safety OfficerEntity identifier75Entity typeAgencyDate range1970 - 1987DescriptionThe University’s first Safety Officer, Mr Will Barker, was appointed in 1970. He became executive officer and secretary to the University Safety Committee and until 1972 he also acted as the University’s Accommodation Officer. Although accountable to the Chairman of the Safety Committee for the performance of his duties, the Safety Officer was formally placed within the administrative structure of the Comptroller’s Branch. In 1975 his duties defined as - acting as adviser to the University and to departments and individuals on matters of safety and to ensure the implementation of safety policy; to organise instruction in methods of safety; to co-operate with specialists within or outside the University in the examination of problems related to safety; to keep staff conscious of their responsibility for the safety of those working or studying under them; to advise the officers responsible for new buildings and the modification of old buildings on all matters which affect safety; to compile accident data and co-operate with insurance officers on related matters; and to co-operate with the University Medical Officer on the provision of first-aid materials and training and the provision of occupational health supervision and monitoring.
Mr Barker retired in August 1980 and was replaced by Mr Alan Wilson in August 1981 following a Committee of Deans enquiry into safety administration on campus. In 1986 an Occupational Health and Safety Manager was appointed and shortly afterward the Safety Officer became part of an Occupational Health and Safety Branch which was created within the Comptroller’s Office, to bring the University’s policies and procedures into line with provisions of the Victorian OH&S Act of 1985.
