About the OH&S Division

Mission

The mission of the University of Queensland's Occupational Health & Safety Division is to achieve the highest attainable level of occupational health and safety (OH&S) for employees, students and other persons at The University of Queensland. 

History

The Occupational Health and Safety Division was created in 1986 and initially consisted of a Director and one administrative support person.

In 1989 the first OH&S legislation was placed in Queensland which increased obligations of employers and introduced strict penalties for non-compliance.  As a result of this, further positions were added to the OH&S Unit and by 1994 there were four specialist positions of Ergonomics, Occupational Hygiene, Radiation Safety, and Rural Safety.

In 1999 new Federal legislation was enacted relating to Gene Technology and a further specialist position of Biological Safety created.  In 2000 a proposal was placed before University Senate for the University to Self Insure for Workers Compensation.  This proposal was approved and the Work Injury team was created to administer self insurance.  This team is located within the Occupational Health and Safety Division as a part of the operational model which includes injury prevention, accident investigation; claims management and rehabilitation. 

The emphasis on Gene Technology Regulations has continued with the addition of an Assistant Biosafety Adviser to the Unit in 2002 to ensure compliance is maintained with the Federal Gene Technology Act.  In 2003 further prescriptive legislation was enacted in Queensland with the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act.  The Dangerous Goods provisions are currently being met within existing resources of the OH&S Division.

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