We are committed to providing a healthy and safe workplace for our people and for customers and the community.
Our Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Policy outlines how Greater Western Water seeks to deliver on this commitment.
It applies to all operations and functions of Greater Western Water, regardless of where work is being performed.
This Policy applies to all Greater Western Water employees, visitors, and delivery partners and contractors engaged by Greater Western Water.
Purpose
This policy recognises the critical role Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) plays in achieving Greater Western Water’s 2030 vision of Thriving People and Country. In doing so, it recognises that Traditional Owners have been the custodians of the land and water for thousands of generations. The commitments within this policy enable the pathway to achieve the 2030 vision.
The purpose of this policy is to outline the Executive and Board commitment to meet HSEQ obligations and continuously improve HSEQ practices and outcomes, enabling GWW to progress toward its 2030 ambition, to prevent harm to people and the environment.
Objectives
The objective of this policy is to support the strategic outcomes of delivering value for customers and healing and caring for Country.
Additionally, this policy supports the improvement of the strategic enablers of people, partnership and progress.
Scope
The scope of this policy includes all operations and functions of GWW, its Board, executive and employees. The intent and ambition for HSEQ performance is to assist in establishing HSEQ expectations of delivery partners and contractors.
Commitment
To achieve our strategic objectives, we make the following HSEQ commitments. We will:
enable our leaders to identify and undertake activities that demonstrate and support this commitment.
develop and maintain integrated HSEQ management frameworks and processes that detail the practices, roles, and responsibilities to meet our legal and other compliance requirements to progress our ambition.
make evidence-based investment and service delivery decisions that consider and manage the risks of harm to people or Country.
aspire to sector leadership and excellence in HSEQ, through improving HSEQ maturity in line with GWW’s cultural ambition and 2030 Strategy.
establish clear and meaningful metrics that measure, evaluate, inform, and continually improve HSEQ performance.
address GWW’s environmental, sustainability and climate change impacts by achieving net zero emissions, moving towards zero waste, addressing adverse environmental impacts and preventing pollution from our activities and operations.
verify that our delivery partners have systems in place to identify, assess and controls risk and comply with their legal and other obligations,
make well informed decisions by seeking strong partnerships with Traditional Owners and provide meaningful HSEQ consultation opportunities with internal and external stakeholders.
operationalise this policy commitment and ambition by embedding HSEQ and cultural heritage capabilities into our operating model, delivery frameworks and ways of working.
demonstrate continuous improvement through an integrated management review process that assesses our OHS, Environment, Quality, Food Safety and HACCP management systems for their ongoing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness in managing risks, delivering on our obligations and meeting stakeholder needs and expectations.
The commitments detailed in the policy will be monitored and overseen through GWW assurance and governance mechanisms.
References and related documents
Other relevant GWW Policies, Procedures & Guidelines include:
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic)
Environmental Protection Act 2017 (Vic)
ISO Standards: ISO14001, ISO9001, ISO45001
Review process
The policy will be reviewed every two years or more frequently as required. Approved by the Board/ELT in March 2025 Next due for review by the Board/ELT in March 2027
