All staff and researchers play a role in managing health and safety risks, and managers or supervisors have legal responsibilities to identify hazards, assess risks and take action to eliminate or minimise these.

Risks may relate to work, study or travel that is conducted for University activities. Any actions taken to identify and address potential hazards or risks need to be documented as part of a risk assessment.  It is important to consult with those who actually undertake the work, or could be affected by the work or study, as they may have good knowledge on any risks that exist and ideas about how these could be controlled.

While employees who manage staff or students have legal requirements, all staff members and higher degree by research students are obliged to assist in the management of risk within their work area, and make sure we are all working and studying safely.

Risk assessment guidance

People not familiar with conducting risk assessments can access a short online FLO course put together by the WHS Unit, that steps through the basics of risk management. There is also a short case study available.

Access to the training can be found on the University’s staff development web page.

For further information visit the University’s WH&S webpage or contact the WHS Unit at whs@flinders.edu.au.