1. What is Workplace safety?
Maintaining the
health, safety and
welfare of employees
and others in all
workplace
environments
2. On successful completion of this unit
you will be able to
Recognise and report any workplace hazard
Comply with procedures to assess and control
risks
Follow workplace procedures in emergencies
Contribute to safety in the workplace through
consultation with employers, employees, OHS
representatives.
3. OHS has a long history
OHS was recognised in the late 1700’s in Britain.
Nothing meaningful was done about it.
During the 1800’s and through the depression
years of the early 1900’s and through the years of
WW 1, WW 2, there were many people who were
out of work and desperately took whatever work
could be found no matter what the conditions.
4. Is the workplace hazardous
worldwide?
The World Health
Organization estimates
• 250 million accidents
occur each year
• 330,000 deaths
• 160 million occupational
diseases
5. Accidents and Injuries can be costly
Lost production
Absenteeism
Medical bills
Increased
WorkCover or
insurance premiums
Unwanted publicity
Replacement or repair
of damaged equipment
Training of new or
casual staff
Poor company image
Fines or prison!
6. What are some typical work-related
injuries?
Bad backs (lifting)
Lung diseases
(breathing toxic
chemicals)
Burns
(hot machinery parts)
Hearing loss
(noisy machinery)
Cuts (sharp construction
tools)
Crushing injuries
(moving objects)
Skin diseases (irritating
substances)
Broken bones (falling)
7. WorkCover Authority of NSW
The statutory authority that administers OHS
legislation in NSW
Provides advice on rights and responsibilities
concerning OHS, rehabilitation and workers
compensation
Investigates causes of accidents, injuries and
illnesses
Issues licenses for hazardous
operations, eg. for the handling of dangerous
chemicals
8. What is the National
Occupational Health Safety
Committee?
Federal authority that considers the laws,
regulations and procedures covering health and
safety to all workers.
10. Employer’s Responsibilities
EMPLOYERS have a ‘duty of care’ (by law) to provide
a safe workplace.
Managers and supervisors MUST help
employers meet this responsibility.
Consult with employees on OHS matters
Assess likely hazards
Control and minimise hazard risks
Provide information to workers
11. Employer’s Responsibility con’t
Consult with workers (through OHS reps
and committees)
Organise safe work systems
Improve understanding (by
instruction/training)
Provide protective clothing and
equipment
12. Employer’s Responsibility con’t
• Ensure tools/equipment/machines are safe
• Supervise inexperienced workers
• Monitor the workplace
• Keep records of inspections and injuries
14. Employee’s responsibility
• EMPLOYEES (YOU) must take care of your own
safety and that of others who may be affected by
your actions. You MUST co-operate with your
employer.
Work/behave in a safe way
Take care not to endanger the safety of others
Follow employer instructions
Operate equipment safely and only for the
intended purpose
Use personal protective equipment
15. Employee’s responsibility con’t
Cooperate with your employer
Do not willfully/recklessly interfere or
misuse equipment
Ensure you are not affected by alcohol or
drugs
Report hazards
Report work-related injuries, near misses
17. What is a hazard?
A hazard is something that has the potential to
cause harm. This harm can affect people by
causing injury, illness, death or psychological
trauma.
Website: www.nohsc.gov.au
18. WORKPLACE HAZARD
WORK ACTIVITY
Drilling a hole;
Typing a letter
Unloading cargo
Moving a heavy object
SITUATION
Tripping over a cord;
Wet floor in a foyer
ARRANGEMENT Poor storage techniques
PRODUCTION
PROCESS
Toxic fumes; excess heat
19. Checklist of Hazards in the
Working Environment
Date:
Area:
What to look for:
Look at all areas and compare to the
standards provided below. Some aspects
may not be applicable. A "no" response to
any question indicates an area that will
need further assessment.
PASSAGEWAYS FUMES/VENTILATION
EXIT/EGRESS ERGONOMIC FACTORS
NOISE LAYOUT (of workplace)
LIGHTING
.
20. What should you report?
Any event that results in injury or
disease - no matter how minor - is
reportable
Dangerous occurrences or events -
including a near miss that endangers the
health or safety of a person
Any event that results in death
Employees have a LEGAL
RESPONSIBILITY to report any accident
or incident
21. Who do you Report Hazards to?
Your Supervisor
Supervises New Employees
Coaches and mentors team
members
Communicates between
senior management and
workgroups
OHS Committee
Formal body that resolves OHS
issues
Reviews OHS measures
Investigates OHS matters
Solves OHS problems
Develops OHS policies,
procedures and programs
Comprises both employees and
employer representatives
Must be established when >20
employees
22. Who do you report hazards to?
OHS Representative
Elected to represent designated workgroups
Review OHS measures
Conduct inspections
Accompany an OHS inspector
Provide input into development of OHS systems
and emergency preparedness procedures
Know about particular hazards
Keep up-to-date with information injuries and
health
Communicate with management/workers about
changes
Make recommendations about training
Must be elected even if requested by only one
employee
24. Hazard Categories
The FOUR categories of hazards we will look
at are:
1. Physical Hazards, eg OOS, posture
2. Manual Handling hazard, eg lifting
3. Chemical Hazard, eg Toxic substances
4. Psychosocial Hazard, eg Stress
25. What are the FOUR steps to
identify and control a hazard
Identify the hazard – what is it
Assess the risks – what is likely to
happen
Control the risks – preventative
measures
Evaluate the solutions –
were the preventative measures:
appropriate
successful
26. Let’s take a closer look at
Occupational Overuse Syndrome
What is it?
oOOS relates to the repetitive use of the
same muscles over an extended period of
time
What does it affect?
oMuscles
oTendons
oSoft tissues in the neck, back, shoulders,
hands, fingers, wrists, elbows
27. Who does OOS affect?
Office workers
Cleaners
Hairdressers
Kitchen workers
Drivers
Mail sorters
Painters
Musicians
Process workers on assembly lines (packers, sorters, pressers)
Construction workers (bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers and tilers)
PEOPLE IN MANY DIFFERENT OCCUPATIONS
28. What are OOS symptoms?
• Soreness/Swelling
• Muscle discomfort
• Stiffness
• Numbing and tingling
• Fatigue
• Burning sensation
• Aches and pains
• Weakness
29. How can you prevent OOS?
Adjust your workstation layout
Adjust furniture
Maintain correct posture
Exercise to stimulate blood flow
Reduce repetitive tasks
Take regular breaks
Rotate the work tasks
REPORT any signs of OOS immediately
30. What happens when new
equipment is installed
When a new computer is
installed
Ergonomically sound
office design layout
Ergonomic office
furniture installed
Training on the new
equipment provided by
employer
OHS training (safe work
habits)
If you experience any wrist
soreness
You would report problem
to supervisor
An OHS rep would inspect
workstation and write a
report
You would consult a doctor
and obtain report
You would be transferred
to alternative duties,
temporarily or permanently
Employer would closely
monitor your progress
31. What is an ergonomic
workstation?
‘Ergonomic’ means setting up the work
environment to suit individuals.
Making the environment work for you, not
against you.
33. Basic principles of correct posture
To reduce fatigue and reduce risk of body injury and
strain when using a computer
Adjust your chair and
workstation
Support your lower back with
the back of the chair
Place your feet flat on
the floor or use a footrest
Have your ankles, knees
and hips at right angles
Clear the desk of all
unnecessary materials
34. Hands and Arms
Do these exercises
With your forearms
rested on a table in front
of you, turn your palms
up then down.
With your fingers straight,
spread your forefingers and
middle fingers apart, then
together.
Touch your forefinger to
your thumb forming a
ring, repeat for each
finger. Repeat sliding the
finger tip to the base of
your thumb.
Bend your wrist to 90
degrees and make a fist
35. Neck and Shoulders
Start with your head
upright and relaxed.
Lower your chin toward
your chest and return.
Tilt your head back and
return.
Start with shoulders still and
head forward. Bend your
head toward your left
shoulder, then return. Repeat
on your right side.
36. Stretching
Just getting up, walking
around and stretching
will remove any stiffness
and tension from
prolonged sitting down.
Do these exercises
slowly until you feel a
mild stretching
sensation.
Stretch your forearm by
putting your palm flat on
the chair and gently
straightening your arm.
37. Look out the window for a
moment or two. Posters,
photo murals, wall hangings
or tapestries will give relief to
your eyes if there is no
window in your room.
Eyes
Blink often to stop eyes becoming irritated by
surface drying
Reduce screen brightness
Fit a glare screen
Keep the screen dust-free
38. Let’s take a closer look at
Manual Handling
Any activity which
involves
• Pulling
• Pushing
• Raising or lowering
• Lifting
• Holding
• Carrying
For Example:
• Carrying files
• Lifting books
• Placing items on
shelves
• Moving chairs
CAN YOU THINK
OF SOME MORE?
39. Who does Manual Handling?
Office workers
Nurses
Builders and tradesmen
Shop assistants
Cleaners
Animal handlers
Just about anyone!
40. Manual Handling techniques
Lifting
•
Assess the load
Position the feet
Take a proper hold
Balance the weight
Keep back straight
Arms tucked in
Lift with the legs
41. Chemicals and Toxic Substances
Where gloves when
handling toners
Store toners in a
separate well ventilated
storage area
Do not inhale toner ‘dust’
Wash hands after use
42. Wear Protective Clothing
as provided by your employer
Overalls
Protective safety boots
Safety gloves
Safety helmets
Safety masks, goggles
Respirators
Ear protectors
43. Housekeeping
Housekeeping is more than keeping an office tidy. It is
also about keeping it safe and healthy.
Can you find 8 potential hazards?
44. Psychosocial Hazards
Stress
Work related psychosocial injuries cost five times
more than work-related physical injuries
Psychosocial hazards are often called stress.
Stress is the physical, mental and emotional
reaction to demands made upon us as individuals
Psychosocial hazards are difficult to identify and
their affects may not appear for some time.
45. Stress can:
Occur suddenly (eg a payroll hold-up or
terrorist attack)
Build up over time (eg work overload)
Be continuous (eg conflict with another
worker or manager)
Be intermittent (eg work overload at
certain times such as at the end of the
financial year, stocktaking, etc).
47. What can you do for stress?
Exercise regularly
Eat nutritiously
Get enough sleep
Find time for yourself
Switch off from work and other
responsibilities
Have a hobby
48. SAY NO to alcohol and drugs in
the workplace?
Poor eye/hand coordination
Poor concentration
Impaired vision
Impaired mental alertness
Lower energy levels
Slower reaction times
Taking drugs or alcohol at the workplace, or reporting for
work under their influence, poses a serious and obvious
hazard to yourself and others.
Being under the influence at work can lead to disciplinary
action, dismissal and/or possible prosecution under health
and safety criminal law.
50. What could be classed as an
emergency?
Fire
Explosion
Holdup or attack
Serious accident
Asphyxiation (suffocation due to
lack of oxygen)
Spills
51. Emergencies - YOU must be
aware of:
How to report an accident, illness or emergency
Where the first aid services and facilities are located
Who are the first aid officers
The first aid procedures
Where fire extinguishers are located
Raising the alarm in a n emergency
The evacuation procedure
53. Know your fire extinguisher
RED Water filled for Class A fires
Class A is Wood, cloth, plastic, rubber, etc.
RED/Black
Band
Carbon Dioxide for Class E fires
Class E is Electrical fires
RED/Blue
Band
Dry Powder for Classes A, B, C E and F fires.
Good for sudden outbreaks of any fires.
BLUE Foam for Class B and Class A fires
Petrol, oil, paints, grease,solvents/wood, plastic, rubber
BUFF colour Wet chemical for Class A and F fires
Class F is cooking oil
RED/yellow
band
Vaporising liquid for Class A, B and C fires
Class C is flammable gas
54. What would you do in the event
of an armed robbery?
Stand still
Obey the robbers’
instructions
Remain calm and
quiet
Observe – if you
can without
provoking the
criminal
Stay out of the
immediate physical
danger area
Do not give chase
Call the police ASAP
Seal off the hold-up
area
Ask any witnesses to
remain