Go to homepage
>
>

Wellbeing and Safety Policy

Section
Otago Polytechnic Council
To be read in conjunction with

The relevant Otago Polytechnic policies, procedures and guidelines and the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) policies, procedures and guidelines as per the Otago Polytechnic Transitioning (Grandparenting) From NZIST Policy.

Sensitive Expenditure Policy

Delegations Policy

 

Approval Date
18 December 2025
Approved By
Otago Polytechnic Council
Next Review
18 December 2027
Responsibility
Deputy Executive Director People and Safety
Pastoral Care Code Outcomes
Outcome 1: A learner wellbeing and safety system
Audience and Scope

1.1. Otago Polytechnic policies and procedures are guided by and give effect to Te Tiriti ō Waitangi and honour our obligations as a Tiriti partner.  

1.2. This is a policy of Otago Polytechnic and applies to our kaimahi*, ākonga , visitors to our work, learning, social and living places, and to people affected by our activities** 

1.3. The scope of the Wellbeing and Safety Policy is the physical and psychological wellbeing and safety aspects*** of our work, learning, social and living activities and places. 

Notes: 

* The term ‘kaimahi’ is consistent with the meaning of worker in the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, s 19, in that it encompasses employees, contractors and sub-contractors, apprentices and trainees, volunteer workers, people on work experience, and so on. 

** the places and activities referred to in this document are those where Otago Polytechnic exercises a degree of influence and control as a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU). 

*** Wellbeing is defined as feeling good and functioning well. Safety is defined as the presence of capacities. 

Purpose

2.1. The purpose of this Policy is to outline our collective commitment to the wellbeing and safety of our community: kaimahi, ākonga ), visitors and people affected by our activities. 

2.2. The Otago Polytechnic Policy Library and the kaimahi intranet, Tūhono  contains material, such as policies, procedures, directives, safety alerts, guidelines and diagrams, that provides information on how the principles are brought to life in our work, learning, social and living places.  

Compliance
Policy Principles

3.1. Otago Polytechnic will set things up to go well by (so far as reasonably practicable): 

a) We recognise that H&S is a shared responsibility  

b) Sharing the responsibility and leadership for wellbeing and safety through consultation, cooperation and coordination. 

c) Having safe and healthy work, learning, social and living environments that place the focus on people’s wellbeing and demonstrate our values. 

d) Using Te Pae Māhutonga and Te Whare Tapa Whā to structure and guide our wellbeing and safety management system and practices. 

e) Complying with relevant legislation and codes, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021, and conforming to relevant standards, guidelines and good practice. 

f) Making good decisions about wellbeing risks and safety risks and taking advantage of our strengths and opportunities. 

g) Reporting on our wellbeing and safety performance to relevant parties, including governance and senior leadership Kaunihera Whakahaere, kaimahi, ākonga and external organisations, to meet internal and external reporting requirements and enable good decision-making. 

h) Being competent at carrying out our activities through access to information and having sufficient training, experience, supervision and monitoring. 

i) Having sufficient, fit for purpose clothing, equipment and facilities. 

j) Communicating up, down and across Otago Polytechnic on wellbeing and safety matters. 

k) Being accountable for our actions, recognising good practice and acknowledging success. 

l) Enabling kaimahi and ākonga to be empowered, engaged and represented. 

m) Preparing for and responding to emergencies and incidents and learning from practices and events. 

n) Learning from our failures and successes and sharing what we have learned. 

o) Supporting the return to work and learning of injured and/or ill kaimahi and ākonga. 

p) Continually improving our wellbeing and safety performance. 

Responsibilities

4.  The following responsibilities apply to this policy. 

Ākonga: Will: 

  • be responsible for adhering to health and safety procedures defined in the Polytechnic as a whole and those specific to their own learning areas,  

  • follow instructions 

  • be proactive and report hazards promptly to their lecturer or similar person representing OP 

  • report incidents, accidents, and occupational illness promptly to their lecturer 

  • be familiar with emergency procedures 

  • ensure safe escape routes are unobstructed 

  • complete all necessary safety training and refresher training in a timely manner. 

Chief Executive: Ensures 

  • health and safety objectives and performance criteria for all managers and work areas are met 

  • appropriate best practice policies and procedures are implemented and reviewed every two years 

  • our obligations under legislation, regulations, codes of practice, standards or industry guidelines are met 

  • responsibility is given to managers, supervisors of staff and learners, and others in positions of responsibility to manage health and safety in their areas. 

Council: 

  • Exercise due diligence under HSWA s44 to ensure the PCBU complies with its duties and obligations 

  • Acquire and maintain knowledge of the operations of Otago Polytechnic and health and wellbeing matters. 

  • Monitor and verify that health and safety systems are effective. 

  • Review critical risks regularly and systematically, and ensure reporting is robust. 

  • Ensure resources for health and wellbeing are made available 

  • Hold management accountable for health and safety performance. 

Formal Leaders: 

  • Ensure that they have up-to-date knowledge of wellbeing and safety, including related Otago Polytechnic policies and procedures and relevant industry updates 

  • Promote a system of continuous improvement in health and safety 

  • support and encourage employee and union consultation and participation in health and safety 

  • Promote and model best practice in health and safety to staff, learners, and others 

  • Identify existing and new hazards (including in new programmes, equipment, plant, or research) and take all practicable steps to eliminate, isolate or minimise exposure to any hazards deemed to be significant. 

Kaimahi:  Will share in the commitment to health and safety and meet their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Including: 

  • supporting the achievement of a healthy and safe work and learning environment 

  • be familiar with the department hazard register 

  • be pro-active in identifying and managing new and existing hazards 

  • promptly report unsafe conditions or equipment 

  • always practice safe work methods, use safety equipment and personal protective equipment as appropriate 

  • immediately report incidents, accidents, and occupational illness - these will be investigated with a focus on identification of hazards and prevention 

  • be familiar with emergency procedures 

  • ensure safe escape routes are unobstructed 

  • complete all necessary safety training and refresher training in a timely manner. 

References

Health and Wellbeing related policies and procedures 

 

Approved

John Gallaher (Chairperson) 

Otago Polytechnic Council 

Date 18 December 2025