Over 3000 UQ staff have already completed the University’s new online safety induction program, just eight weeks on from its launch.
Secretary and Registrar, Douglas Porter, said he was delighted by the warm response to the General Safety Induction, which represents a key aspect of the University’s commitment to employee safety and wellbeing.
“To have such a high percentage of the university staff complete the program [in this time] really is an achievement… and I think it shows also that our staff are aware of occupational health and safety issues and recognise the need to be up-to-date with them,” he said.
Associate Director of Occupational Health and Safety, Gary Chaplain, said he was confident the program had boosted health and safety standards and awareness across UQ’s campuses.
“From our perspective [it’s] been a bigger success than we ever expected, and we’ve had very positive feedback from the participants who have been doing the program,” he said.
Consisting of a slide presentation and a 20-question, multi-choice quiz, the induction takes about 45 minutes to complete, and provides information (in voiceover and through active links) on important aspects of working at UQ, including its alcohol and drug policies, handling of hazardous materials, emergency procedures including evacuation routes, and medical facilities and workers’ compensation claims.
Staff who have navigated the program during these first eight weeks have made themselves eligible for a range of great prizes, including electronic goods and weekly, dinner-for-two restaurant vouchers.
Dr Bruce D'Arcy from the School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences was lucky enough to take out the grand prize for completing the survey – a five-night holiday for two on Hamilton Island, including airfares from Brisbane.
Those employees who have not yet undertaken the induction will have until the end of the month to do so.
The General Safety Induction is accessible to staff through portals such as my.UQ, the Occupational Health and Safety web page and the New Staff Induction page.
For further inquiries, please contact Daniel Martin, from UQ's Occupational Health and Safety Unit, on telephone 3346 9173 or email d.martin1@uq.edu.au.
