Workplace Health and Safety Officer

Workplace Health and Safety Officer

An exciting opportunity has arisen for someone to join the Workplace Health and Safety team as the Workplace Health and Safety Officer!

Australia Zoo is an equal opportunity employer, where we recognise the diversity of our workforce and community – be it on the basis of gender, age, race, sexual orientation, or religious belief.  We provide specific workplace programs to support diversity and equal employment opportunities for women, people with disabilities and all cultural backgrounds.

In holding this position, you are required to ensure that employees are operating within a safe and compliant environment. You are required to offer expert knowledge and skills in order to generate and promote a positive health and safety culture. This represents a key role in helping to control occupational risk. You will be responsible for the planning, implementation, monitoring and review of protective and preventative measures that Australia Zoo requires, and work to minimise operational losses, occupational health problems, accidents and injuries.

To successfully fill his role, you will have a demonstrated ability to work in a high performance environment with a capacity to deliver all requirements of the role.

Duties Include: 

• Direct and assist managers/supervisors to compile risk assessments and safe work procedures for their departments
• Annually review all departmental procedures and risk assessments
• Direct and coordinate hazard identification and reporting procedures
• Organise and conduct regular safety meetings, evacuation drills and emergency drills with department Managers and Points of Contact
• Organise and coordinate emergency asset testing (Eg; fire extinguishers, smoke alarms)
• Organise and coordinate regular audits and inspections on Zoo plant, equipment and services as required
• Assist with the compliance of contractors to our Safety Management Systems
• Ensure all relevant Advisory Standards are current and available on request
• Ensure relevant policies and procedures are up to date with current legislative requirements
• Maintain and oversee the Emergency Procedures and SDS Register
• Preparation of weekly reporting and proposals for quotes as required
• Oversee all workplace rehabilitation & return to work in addition to the WHS Administrator
• Promote occupational health and safety across the business and develop safer and healthier ways of working
• Ensure all departments are aware of, and comply with, all legislation relating to its duty of care, workplace activities and policies and procedures
• Record and report hazards, accidents, injuries and health issues and resolve situations
• Assist with the investigation of accidents and unsafe working conditions, identify possible causes and recommend remedial action
• Conduct training sessions for all departments and staff on health and safety practices and legislation
• Assist with the rehabilitation of workers after accidents or injuries
• Coordinate emergency procedures
• Communicate frequently with senior management to report on the status of occupational health and safety

Essential Criteria: 

• Cert IV in Workplace Health and Safety or equivalent current qualifications
• Experience with Workcover and the rehabilitation process
• Hold current Driver’s Licence
• Available to work weekends, public holidays, and school holiday periods
• Strong communication and problem solving skills
• Keen observation skills to monitor the safety performance of a workplace and identify risks or hazards
• Highly proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (including Excel, Word, Outlook, Powerpoint etc)
• Excellent organisation and time management skills

Preferred Criteria: 

• Current First Aid and CPR certificates
• Any other relevant certificates