Winter wisdom

Winter is here with an increase in rain, wet weather, and wind, and travelling to, from, and around at work can be more dangerous.

The instances of motor vehicle accidents getting to and from work, and slips, trips and falls on campus (both outside and when entering buildings with wet shoes) increase during rainy periods.

There may also be an increase in pedestrian traffic with Global Corporate Challenge walkers braving the weather and walking around campus in order to keep their step count up.

Please keep an eye out for them when driving around on campus. The use of heaters in the office or at home can also lead to hazards such as fire.

Improve the safety for yourself and others during these times by: 

  • Allowing extra time to travel to or from work or to other locations on campus
  • Slowing down while driving on campus and being aware of pedestrians who may be rushing to avoid rain 
  • Making sure your footwear is suitable for walking on wet and slippery surfaces 
  • Paying attention to the various surfaces that you are walking on and proceeding according to the circumstances 
  • Reporting any unsafe structures or tree limbs identified following heavy weather 
  • Reporting any slip, trip or fall hazards in addition to immediately rectifying them if it is possible to do so.
  • Making sure that any combustibles are not within the vicinity of heaters, that heaters are switched off when you are not present, and never connecting heaters to power boards, extension leads or double adaptors. Heaters of the radiant, fan, bar or element type are prohibited as they present a high risk of fire however oil column or panel heaters with a maximum rating of approximately 1 kWatt are suitable as these have less potential for causing fires or overloading power circuits.

As winter also brings an increase in the prevalence of influenza and the common cold, you may find the following information available via the NSW Government Health website useful.

What can you do if you spot a wet weather hazard?

If you spot a hazard, you should control it, if it is possible to do so safely. If you think the hazard poses an immediate threat, then isolate the area, contact Security Services on ext: 15888 (Callaghan) or 84222 (Ourimbah) or 16293 (Port Macquarie) and complete the hazard report through the Online Incident Reporting system.

If the hazard is not immediately threatening, you should still submit a hazard report through the Online Incident Reporting system, and also submit a maintenance request via Maximo noting “Health and Safety issue” if Facilities Management need to fix the issue.

Reporting hazards in this way will notify the Health and Safety Team who can then follow-up and monitor trends (for example ongoing slip, trip or fall hazards in an area may identify a need to install non-slip surfacing in an area, or investigate drainage solutions for washed over pathways).

Contact the Health and Safety Team for more advice and information