ABS Work Health and Safety Policy

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is committed to the psychological and physical health and safety of our people, our visitors and others who work for us and with us.

The ABS and its senior executives, including the Australian Statistician, are committed to meeting the requirements under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) (WHS Act) and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 by having a work health and safety management system (WHSMS) aligned to relevant legislation and Australian Standards.

The ABS approach to Work Health and Safety (WHS) is one of continuous improvement. This occurs by consistently reviewing our WHS processes and encouraging and supporting innovative healthy and safe work practices.

ABS proactive strategies are aimed at enhancing the health and wellbeing of our people at work, to achieve this, the ABS commits to:

• Allocating sufficient financial and human resources to the effective implementation of the WHSMS.
• Communicating and consulting with workers about WHS.
• Building a WHS risk management culture based on defined principles and behaviours.
• Promoting a WHS reporting and learning culture.
• Taking all reasonably practicable measures to eliminate or, where that is not possible, minimise risks to the physical and psychological health, safety and wellbeing of our people and others.
• Providing ABS workers with training to maintain and improve health, safety and wellbeing outcomes.
• Supporting the rehabilitation of our people following an injury or illness, enabling a safe and productive return to work.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that:

• The ABS is compliant with current legislation, relevant Codes of Practice and Australian Standards.
• All levels of staff understand their WHS obligations and responsibilities.
• There are clear governance arrangements in place including accountabilities and responsibilities for managing WHS.
• Measurable objectives and targets aimed at eliminating or controlling hazards that may cause injury or illness, are established and regularly reviewed.
• The ABS demonstrates WHS leadership.

This policy applies to ABS workers, visitors and other persons. This policy should be read in conjunction with the ABS WHSMS.

Australian Statistician

• Holds overall responsibility for this policy.
• Ensures appropriate resources are in place to support this policy.

Deputy Australian Statisticians, General Managers, Program Managers, and Directors

• Ensure appropriate resources are in place to support this policy.
• Implement this policy in consultation with workers.
• Communicate the requirements of this policy to workers.
• Ensure workers are made aware of and comply with the requirements of this policy.

Assistant Directors, Managers, Supervisors

• Implement this policy in consultation with workers.
• Communicate requirements of this policy to workers.
• Ensure workers are made aware of and comply with the requirements of this policy.

ABS Workers

• Be aware of and comply with the requirements of this policy.

Work Health and Safety Act 2011

Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011

AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems

AS/NZS 4804:2001 Occupational Health and Safety Management systems

AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems

The WHSMS Procedure (PRO-03-07)

Endorsed by Dr David Gruen, 23 March 2023

Australian Statistician, Australian Bureau of Statistics

Next review: March 2028