Occupational Health and Safety Policy

Occupational health and safety is of paramount importance to Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. The Group values its people and their wellbeing and is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all staff, contractors, customers and visitors.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank strives to have injury-free workplaces and works to ensure legal compliance with all occupational health and safety requirements.

What does the bank do to meet its commitment to occupational health and safety?

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank believes a proactive approach to OH&S is critical.

To meet our commitment, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank will take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the health and safety of persons by the development, implementation and enforcement of policies and procedures that provide for the following:

• Identification of any hazards and associated risks in the workplace and prompt implementation of risk control strategies.
• Adequate training, instruction and supervision of all staff and contractors as necessary for them to perform their role safely.
• Encouragement of active participation in raising and resolving OH&S issues.
• Promotion of an active rehabilitation and return to work program with the aim of the employee making a full return to pre-injury duties wherever possible.

Everyone is responsible for health and safety

Board and Executive - Are responsible for ensuring there is a strategy in place to effectively manage OH&S across the Group. Together they ensure adequate resources and governance are applied to achieve the health and safety standards and practices required for risk management and compliance and legal obligations.

Managers - Are responsible for assisting in the development, implementation and enforcement of the Group’s OH&S policies and procedures. They are responsible for caring for the welfare of their staff and for identifying, assessing and controlling any risks in the workplace for which they are responsible.

Employees - Are responsible for complying with the Group’s OH&S policies and procedures and must notify their managers of any OH&S concerns so they can be promptly addressed.

Everyone - Including Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Group staff, contractors, visitors and members of the public are responsible for ensuring their own health and safety while in any of the Group’s workplaces and for taking care to ensure the health and safety of other persons.

At Bendigo and Adelaide Bank we aim for continuous improvement in health and safety and our Occupational Health and Safety Policy will be reviewed every two years.

Administration of this policy and specific duties

Application	This policy (and any associated procedures) apply at the following workplaces: Workplaces under the management or control of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Group and its subsidiaries. The workplaces of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Group franchisees.
Implementation	This policy applies as of the date it is approved by the Board. Amendments may be made from time to time as approved by the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Governance & HR Committee.
Review	This policy is to be reviewed every two years.
Specific responsibilities	It is the responsibility of all staff and managers to assist in the implementation of the Policy and for achieving the objectives of the Policy. Particular responsibilities are set out below.
Executives must	Promote an effective safety culture supported with appropriate leadership skills within the organisation. Review the effectiveness of the safety management system on an annual basis. Provide business units with appropriate resources to implement, manage and maintain safe systems of work.
Managers must	Demonstrate appropriate leadership behaviors in the area of OH&S and support people within their team to effectively use the safety management tools available to them. Promote a culture of OH&S instruction, information, training and supervision so that individuals can safely perform their expected roles. Adopt the process of hazard identification, risk management and incident investigation. Develop a culture of OH&S inspections of the workplace so that hazards are identified and controlled. Promote effective OH&S consultation with staff, Health and Safety Representative and contractors so that OH&S information is disseminated and OH&S issues are identified and resolved in a timely manner.
All staff must	Perform their duties in a manner that adheres to safe working practices and procedures and protects their own health and safety as well as that of others. As required, complete OH&S training and actively take part in OH&S information sharing. Report incidents, injuries and hazards in accordance with procedures. As relevant to them, be an active participant in resolving OH&S issues as they arise.
Health and safety representatives should	Comply with any and all legal obligations and requirements relating to consultation with management. Assist in facilitating communication between management and staff on health and safety matters. Proactively take part in supporting the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Group’s OH&S initiatives and in resolving OH&S issues. Collect/disseminate information to/from their Designated Work Groups (DWG) and represent the interests of their DWG in OH&S matters. Where practical, participate in OH&S investigations and inspections of the workplace within their DWG.

This policy was adopted by the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Board on 26 November 2007