Corrective Actions Protocol

Wellbeing and Safety Training and Induction Procedure

1. The purpose of our protocol

Our protocol sets out how Adelaide University manages corrective actions. Providing a structure for the recording, assigning, and monitoring of corrective actions until completion to:

prevent the recurrence of incidents.
contribute to continuous improvement in the management of incidents.
ensure safe systems of work and the maintenance of a safe workplace.
address non-compliance with a Wellbeing and Safety (W&S) procedure, protocol or legal requirement
address areas for improvement identified through W&S investigations
address root causes and contributing factors.

This protocol should be read in conjunction with the Wellbeing and Safety System Management and Review Procedure, which gives effect to the Wellbeing and Safety Policy,

2. Our protocol applies to

2.1 Inclusions

Members of our Adelaide University Community and the activities they undertake.
All actions associated with:
- All W&S incident, hazard and investigation reports within Unisafe
- actions arising from defined W&S activities conducted by an authorised third party (e.g. electrical testing provider)
- regular safety testing
- workplace monitoring (e.g. workplace inspection and assurance checks, and other safety reviews)
- emergency contingency testing exercises
- W&S internal/external audits.

2.2 Exclusions

Where testing is conducted by a qualified external service provider and immediate corrective action is taken to rectify the fault/issue.

All actions arising from the University's Internal Audit Program or other University assurance/compliance reviews, where they are managed through separate governance arrangements.

3. Our corrective actions protocol

3.1 Roles and responsibilities

University roles and responsibilities for managing W&S risks, including those risks associated with fieldwork, are set out in the Wellbeing and Safety System Management and Review Procedure

3.2 Ensuring corrective actions management

The table below outlines key roles and responsibilities for corrective actions management.

Role	Responsibilities	Protocols
Supervisor	Must Ensure corrective actions are logged in Unisafe, assigned to staff, shared with stakeholders, and tracked until completed. Ensure the completion of corrective and preventative actions to ensure safe systems of work and support continuous improvement.	Determine effective and achievable actions arising from W&S activities: incident reports investigations workplace monitoring (i.e. workplace inspection and assurance checks, safety reviews) testing procedures W&S internal/external audits emergency incidents/evacuation and contingency testing, advice/reports from a competent person or external specialist. Consult with your line manager where an action requires resources beyond your control. Create W&S actions in Unisafe. If you need assistance contact the W&S team. Set the due date according to the priority in Appendix A
Wellbeing and Safety Team	Must Ensure corrective actions are logged in Unisafe, assigned to staff, shared with stakeholders, and tracked until completed. Ensure the completion of corrective and preventative actions to ensure safe systems of work and support continuous improvement.	For operational monitoring, produce a monthly report on open corrective actions and distribute this report (or relevant sections thereof) to the persons assigned a corrective action and the relevant Dean of the School/Function and Executive of College/Portfolio. Quarterly produce a summary of all overdue W&S corrective actions to be included in the governance report.
Dean of School/Director of sub-functions	Must Ensure the completion of corrective and preventative actions to ensure safe systems of work and support continuous improvement.	Review open and overdue W&S corrective action reports. Take the necessary steps to follow up where corrective actions are outstanding.
PVC/DVC of College/ Portfolio	Must Ensure the completion of corrective and preventative actions to ensure safe systems of work and support continuous improvement.	Monitor overdue W&S corrective actions through Unisafe or other relevant reports. Take action to ensure the completion of W&S overdue actions where appropriate.

4. Performance Measures

Corrective actions managment conforms with this protocol

100% of agreed actions to address any issues have been completed within the agreed timeframes.

100% of overdue actions have been addressed by the area executive.

5. Definitions used in our protocol

The following definitions are applicable to this protocol, for generic Adelaide University definitions refer to the Glossary of Terms.

Safety Testing is a formalised test administered on an item of plant/equipment or activity, to make sure it is operational and non-hazardous. The Work Health and Safety Regulations SA (2012) and Codes of Practice set out specific testing requirements.

Additional information on testing is provided in the W&S protocols and knowledge articles:

air and health monitoring
emergency management
hazard management
confined spaces protocol
fume cupboards
plant safety protocol
electrical safety management protocol
gas cylinders and compressed gases
fall prevention protocol
emergency safety shower and eyewash testing
noise and sound protocol

Unisafe is the online system used by our staff and students to manage information related to wellbeing and safety issues. This includes reporting incidents, injuries and hazards to ensure timely investigations, risk assessments and control measures are applied to keep our community safe.

6. How our protocol is governed

6.1 Compliance

Corrective actions management at Adelaide University is conducted in compliance with the following established regulations and guidelines:

Legislation & Code of Practice

Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA)
Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA)

University-related documents and resources

6.2 Governance

This protocol is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.

Parent procedure	Authority to create and maintain this protocol is granted under the Wellbeing and Safety System Management and Review Procedure
Policy category	Corporate
Approving authority	Executive Director of People, Advisory and Wellbeing
Policy owner	Deputy Vice Chancellor People and Culture
Responsible officer	Deputy Vice Chancellor People and Culture or their delegate
Effective from	1 September 2026
Review date	1 September 2031
Enquiries	Wellbeing and Safety Team
Replaced documents	None

7. History of changes

Date approved	To section/clauses	Description of change
September 2026	N/A	New protocol

Appendix A

Rating	Timeframe guide	Description
Urgent	As soon as can be achieved (1-2 weeks)	Action needs to be taken to prevent a serious risk of injury or harm to operators or others. Task or activity should be ceased or access restricted while action is being completed.
High	As soon as is practicable (3-6 weeks)	Action is needed to address WHS legislative compliance with W&S Procedures requirements. While there is no immediate risk to an individual continuing failure to complete the action will undermine the objectives of the University W&S Policy and Procedures.
Medium	When planning permits (7-16 weeks)	Action is required to address industry standards or best practice norms in order to reduce the risk of injury or harm to as low as can be achieved.
Low	Longer than 4 months	Action is required to address systems or processes in order to achieve continuous improvement.