The occupational health and safety of all staff employed within Alfalfa House, volunteers assisting Alfalfa House and those members and non members visiting and shopping at Alfalfa House are of the utmost importance.

Resources regarding occupational health and safety are available in the office area.

The promotion and maintenance of occupational health and safety, is ultimately the responsibility of the Management Committee and staff, volunteers and members are responsible for the day to day development, implementation and ongoing review of Alfalfa House’s OH&S Program.

The OH&S Program is by nature a consultative program which requires regular development and review. OH&S is to be a fixed Agenda item and an update report is to be provided at each Staff & Management Committee Meeting.

Failure to co-operate or comply with Alfalfa House’s OH&S Program will be considered a breach of Alfalfa House Policy and the person(s) will be referred to Management Committee and subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Specific Responsibilities

a) Administration Coordinator

As part of the Administration Coordinator’s job description, the Administration Coordinator is required to:

be familiar with Alfalfa House’s regulatory requirements concerning OH&S,
ensure that this policy and the OH&S Program are developed and effectively implemented and reviewed using time bound action plans,
provide support and training to other coordinators and hold them accountable for their specific responsibilities.

b) Other Coordinators

Each coordinator is responsible, and will be held accountable for taking all practical measures to ensure:

That they are aware of the OH&S requirements relating to their jobs, have received the training, have access to relevant material and comply with these requirements
That anyone assisting them in their work are made aware, are supervised and receive training to meet their requirements under this program

c) All members performing work for and on behalf of Alfalfa House:

Are required to co-operate with the OH&S Policy and Programs to ensure their own health and safety ands health and safety of others in the workplace.
Are to be consulted on issues which affect their health and safety and refer any concerns they may have in this regard to the Administration Coordinator or to the Management Committee.

d) Contractors and Subcontractors

All Contractors and sub-contractors engaged to perform work at the Cooperative’s premises or other such locations are required, as part of their contract, to comply with the occupational health and safety policies, procedures and programs of the Cooperative and to observe directions on health and safety from coordinators. Failure to comply or observe a direction will be considered a breach of the contract and sufficient grounds for termination of the contract.

Occupational Health and Safety Program

In order to implement the general provisions of this policy procedures will be set up, continually updated and effectively carried out. The procedures, collated in the Alfalfa House OH&S Manual will include all aspects of Alfalfa House occupational health and safety including:

OH&S training and education
Work design, workplace design and standard work practices
Emergency procedures
Equipment
Workplace evaluations
Reporting and recording of incidents, accidents and injuries; and
Provision of readily accessible information