Work Health, Safety and Environmental Policy (WHSE)

Purpose

The Trustee for the Vendas Family Trust trading as Vendas Maintenance Pty Ltd (Vendas Maintenance) is committed to conducting its landscaping, gardening, grounds maintenance, property maintenance and associated services in a manner that protects the health, safety and wellbeing of workers, contractors, clients, visitors, members of the public and the environment.

As a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU), Vendas Maintenance is committed to ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and other persons who may be affected by our work activities. We recognise that effective Work Health, Safety and Environmental (WHSE) management is fundamental to the success of our business and forms an integral part of every activity we undertake.

Our Commitment

Vendas Maintenance is committed to:

• Complying with all applicable Work Health and Safety legislation, environmental legislation, Regulations, approved Codes of Practice, Australian Standards and client contractual and site-specific WHSE requirements.
• Providing and maintaining a work environment that is safe and without risks to health, so far as is reasonably practicable.
• Protecting the physical and psychological health and safety of workers and other persons who may be affected by our work activities, so far as is reasonably practicable.
• Eliminating hazards and, where elimination is not reasonably practicable, minimising risks through the application of the hierarchy of controls.
• Providing and maintaining safe systems of work, safe plant, equipment, vehicles and workplaces.
• Ensuring plant, equipment and tools are appropriately maintained, inspected and fit for purpose.
• Providing appropriate information, instruction, training, supervision and resources to enable work to be undertaken safely and competently.
• Consulting with workers on WHSE matters and encouraging their participation in identifying hazards and improving workplace safety.
• Consulting, cooperating and coordinating activities with clients, principal contractors, subcontractors and other duty holders where WHS duties overlap.
• Maintaining appropriate emergency preparedness and response arrangements.
• Reporting, investigating and learning from injuries, incidents, near misses and environmental events and notifying the relevant regulator of notifiable incidents where required by law.
• Maintaining processes for identifying, assessing and controlling WHSE risks associated with all work activities.
• Monitoring, reviewing and continually improving our WHSE management systems and performance.

Environmental Commitment

Vendas Maintenance recognises its responsibility to protect the environment and is committed to conducting its operations in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.

We are committed to:

• Complying with all applicable environmental legislation, regulations, local government requirements, client environmental specifications and relevant industry standards.
• Preventing pollution and minimising environmental impacts arising from our activities.
• Protecting native vegetation, waterways, biodiversity and surrounding ecosystems where our work is undertaken.
• Using natural resources responsibly by reducing energy consumption, water usage and waste generation.
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by progressively adopting battery-powered equipment, maintaining fuel-efficient plant and equipment and transitioning to electric or hybrid vehicles where reasonably practicable.
• Maintaining all plant and equipment to maximise efficiency, minimise emissions and extend operational life.
• Reusing and recycling materials including steel, aluminium, green waste, packaging and other recyclable materials wherever practicable.
• Managing fuels, chemicals and hazardous substances responsibly to prevent spills, contamination and environmental harm.
• Conserving water through responsible irrigation practices, regular servicing of reticulation systems, rainwater harvesting and the use of environmentally responsible soil and wetting agents where appropriate.
• Promoting sustainable landscaping practices through the use of native and drought-tolerant plants, soil conservation and responsible vegetation management.
• Supporting tree planting and vegetation programs that enhance biodiversity, improve green spaces and contribute to carbon sequestration.
• Continually reviewing our environmental objectives and improving our environmental performance.

Management Responsibilities

Management will:

• Demonstrate leadership and commitment to WHSE.
• Provide sufficient resources to effectively manage WHSE risks.
• Ensure hazards are identified, risks assessed and appropriate control measures implemented before work commences.
• Ensure Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), risk assessments and safe work procedures are prepared and implemented where required.
• Provide suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure it is available and maintained.
• Ensure workers are appropriately trained, supervised and competent to perform their duties.
• Monitor WHSE performance, undertake workplace inspections and review incidents to promote continual improvement.
• Foster a positive WHSE culture through consultation, communication and leadership.

Worker Responsibilities

Every worker is expected to:

• Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
• Comply with all WHSE policies, procedures, instructions and lawful directions.
• Correctly use plant, equipment and personal protective equipment provided.
• Participate in workplace consultation and training.
• Identify hazards, complete risk assessments where required and report unsafe conditions.
• Immediately report injuries, incidents, near misses, environmental hazards and unsafe work practices.
• Protect the environment by minimising waste, preventing pollution and using resources responsibly.
• Cooperate with all reasonable WHSE measures implemented by Vendas Maintenance.

Consultation and Communication

Vendas Maintenance recognises that effective consultation is essential to maintaining a safe and environmentally responsible workplace. We are committed to consulting with workers on matters that affect their health, safety and wellbeing and encouraging their active participation in identifying hazards, managing risks and improving our WHSE systems.

Where duties overlap, we will consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with clients, principal contractors, subcontractors and other duty holders to ensure WHSE risks are effectively managed.

Continuous Improvement

Vendas Maintenance is committed to the continual improvement of its Work Health, Safety and Environmental Management System through:

• Regular review of WHSE objectives and performance.
• Workplace inspections and audits.
• Incident and hazard reporting and investigation.
• Monitoring legislative and industry changes.
• Ongoing consultation with workers and clients.
• Implementation of corrective and preventive actions.

Everyone engaged by or working with Vendas Maintenance shares responsibility for maintaining a workplace where safety, environmental stewardship and continual improvement are fundamental to the way we conduct business.