[Success Story - Griffith University] Improving Workplace Health & Safety

Client Background

Since opening its doors in 1975, Griffith University has come to be regarded as one of Australia's most innovative tertiary institutions and influential universities in the Asia-Pacific region.Griffith University was the first university in Australia to offer degrees in Asian studies and environmental studies to students and remains a pioneer in these fields. Griffith University has grown to be a large multi- campus institution with internationally recognised strengths in teaching and research, and is currently Australia’s ninth largest higher education provider. 

Business Challenge

Griffith has five campuses and is home to more than 43,000 students from 131 countries and over 4,000 staff.Prior to 2012 staff and students of Griffith University were required to report incidents and hazards via a paper-based reporting system.

Incidents and hazards were reported by staff and/or students that resulted in a manual workflow process. The process included notification to the relevant Supervisor and Manager as well as the local area Health and Safety Advisor. All reported incidents and hazards were then manually reviewed by the Health and Safety Manager. Where it was deemed necessary an investigation and action plan were undertaken. This manual process resulted in the following:

• Incidents and hazards were not being reported as the process was very time- consuming.
• Sometimes extensive time delays between an incident or hazard being reported and it being acted upon by a Health and Safety Advisor were unacceptable.
• Manual reports were sometimes lost in the mail, or would remain on someone’s desk awaiting review for months at a time.

Solution

Griffith University purchased PAN Software’s RiskWare (GSafe) to streamline incident and hazard reporting.

GSafe has allowed Griffith University to improve its incident and hazard reporting. Griffith University now has a Health and Safety team who are able to conduct proactive investigations and produce effective on-line action plans. 

"GSafe (RiskWare) provides us with accurate and timely incident/hazard data allowing the health and safety team within Griffith University to allocate resources where they are most needed."

- Kerry Longster

Systems & Administrator Coordinator, Health & Safety, Griffith University

Results

Griffith University has an incident and hazard reporting system that is user friendly for all staff and students.

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• Incident and hazard reports are now more informative.
• Staff and students are able to log an incident or hazard report and keep track of it.
• Staff and students are notified when the incident or hazard they have logged has been reviewed, actioned and completed.
• Ad-hoc reporter allows system administrators to create various reports as and when required.

GSafe has played a major role in providing Griffith University management with accurate and timely reporting of all incidents and hazards that have occurred to staff, students, visitors and contractors.