The document outlines essential health, safety, and security practices in the workplace, emphasizing the identification and removal of hazards, employee responsibilities regarding safety, and emergency procedures. Key components include proper lifting techniques, the use of protective clothing, and protocols for handling dangerous situations such as fires and robberies. It also stresses the importance of reporting unsafe conditions and maintaining a safe environment through regular training and adherence to safety policies.

1. Business Practice 2 Module 2

2. Module 1: Contribute to the health, safety and security of the workplace

3. Outcomes Identify, remove and reduce potential hazards Know the instructions relating to exposure to dangerous substances and hazards Identify the kinds of work that require protective clothing Follow health and safety instructions in situations that require lifting and handling of materials Understand the responsibility of employees relating to health and safety issues in the workplace

4. Introduction Every company should have a safety policy to safeguards staff against potential hazards in the workplace. It should include: Who is responsible for safety and security? Access control to the premises Protection of personnel Protection of the building(s) and equipment Security procedures in case of danger such as fire, bomb threats Data, computer and key security H andling of money

5. Potential Hazards Extension cords or cables Wet floor surfaces Objects in pathways and work areas Open file drawers Worn and torn carpets Worn stair treads and broken banisters Faulty electrical cables (loose connections, broken switches, worn cables)

6. Actions to be taken Clean up any spilled liquid immediately R emove broken glass from floor areas Secure any loose electrical leads and wires Don’t stack boxes and furniture in corridors and in front of fire exit routes Don’t use pins to hold pages of documents together – use staplers or paper clips Don’t overload lifts – adhere to the limit as indicated inside the lift Don’t climb on chairs, tables or cupboards to reach high places – use a step ladder Ask for assistance when moving heavy objects Get qualified people to install and repair electrical equipment

7. Hazardous Substances Always wash your hands before touching food Always wash before smoking – better still, don’t smoke! Never touch your eyes with dirty hands or gloves Do not wear contaminated clothing Keep your body and hair clean Look after your personal protection equipment Avoid direct contact with the skin and eyes Use goggles/mask/face shield Consider all unmarked chemicals as dangerous If you have no training in fire-fighting, call someone who has.

8. Protective Clothing A suitable overall and gloves Safety boots Hard hats Dust masks Eye protection (goggles, face mask) Respirator Full skin cover Impervious clothing (no substance can penetrate clothing)

9. Safety, Health and Environment Consider the following before lifting a box or piece of equipment: Do you need to lift the item manually? How heavy is it? Where are you moving the item from? Where are you moving it to? Wh at route do you have to follow? Consider using mechanical help

10. Proper lifting techniques Stand close to the load. Keep both feet flat and bend your knees slightly Bend at the hips, keep spine in a neutral position Keep the load close to your body Use your feet and legs to turn instead of twisting your back Don’t lift heavy loads, furniture etc . Wear shoes with non-slip soles

12. Factors that contribute to back injuries Lifting with your back bowed out Bending and reaching with your back bowed out Slouched sitting Twisting or jerking movements Lack of proper rest Obesity and poor nutrition Stressful work and living habits.

13. Back injuries Not all back injuries are as a result of sudden motion Most back injuries occur because of repeated minor injuries, the continued use of heavy equipment or spending a lot of time in the same position Stress, lack of exercise and poor eating also contribute to injuries

14. Occupational Health and Safety Act The Occupational Health and Safety Act identifies the following responsibilities in the workplace: take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions; as regards any duty or requirement imposed on his employer or any other person by this Act, co-operate with such employer or person to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with; carry out any lawful order given to him, and obey the health and safety rules and procedures laid down by his employer or by anyone authorized thereto by his employer, in the interest of health of safety;

15. if any situation which is unsafe of unhealthy comes to his attention, as soon as possible report such situation to his employer, or the health and safety representative for his workplace or section thereof, as the case may be, who should report it to the employer; and if he is involved in any incident which may affect his health of which has caused an injury to himself, report such incident to his employer or to anyone authorized thereto by the employer, or to his health and safety representative, as soon as possible but not later than the end of the particular shift during which the incident occurred, unless the circumstances were such that the reporting of the incident was not possible, in which case he shall report the incident as soon as practicable thereafter.

16. Know how to limit damage to persons or property in the event of an accident or emergency

17. Outcomes After completing this outcome, you will be able to: Locate fire extinguishers, fire hoses and alarms in your workplace Identify the different types of fire extinguishers and explain the use of each Demonstrate the use of fire extinguishers competently K now the procedures to identify fires and other emergencies follow them correctly Identify and report dangerous occurrences Report injuries to individuals promptly to the relevant authority

18. Location of fire extinguishers, fire hoses and alarms The following checks need to be done: Location of the equipment – where is it placed or stored? D emarcation – is it clearly marked with correct signs? Correct type of equipment Hose condition Accessibility – can people easily reach it? Corrosion and damage Maintenance needs to be done at least once a year. All personnel must be aware of where the equipment is located

19. Types of Extinguisher Wood & paper Water Petrol & diesel P owder Electronic equipment CO 2 Magnesium CO 2

20. Procedures to identify fires and other emergencies In the event of a fire in the building it is important that you know the following beforehand: The fire evacuation plan for your company How to use a fire extinguisher The telephone number of the fire brigade

21. Steps to be followed Call the fire brigade immediately Set off the fire alarm to warn people to evacuate the building Close all doors and windows Switch off all electricity and power supplies Do not use elevators Proceed at a fast pace (do not run) to the nearest exit Do not re-enter the building Use fire extinguishers until the fire brigade arrives Move injured people to safety Ensure that all emergency doors, passages and staircases are open and unblocked

22. Reporting Dangerous occurrences and injuries

23. Rules when you are in a violent situation Your body language must not be threatening. Do not argue with the aggressor. Hand over any article that is demanded by the aggressor. Adhere to all demands that are given. Keep your hands in a non-threatening visible position. Do not make rapid movements. Do not make eye contact. Do not scream or behave out of control when in a group. Alert your security company and the SAPS as soon as possible. Write down everything you remember after the incident.

24. Bomb Threat A bomb threat is one such a dangerous occurrence. If you receive a bomb threat over the phone there are some basic guidelines to follow: Never ignore a bomb threat – it may cost people’s lives if you think it is not serious. Try to stay calm and listen carefully to what the caller says. Keep the person talking for as long as possible. Try to identify background sounds like aeroplanes, voices, etc. Try to obtain as much information as possible, such as what does the bomb look like, when it will explode, where it is. Write everything down, because you may forget important information.

25. After the person has hung up, you must do the following as soon as possible: Contact the police Inform your lecturer, manager and/or head of security Set off the emergency alarm to evacuate the building Calm people down and encourage them to leave the building as quickly as possible Do not look for the bomb – it is the work of the police

26. Armed Robbery Don’t be complacent – look out for potential danger Always be alert to potential problems. Take note of strangers who are loitering outside your premises. Write down the registration number of suspicious-looking cars. Survey the area before you open your business in the mornings. If you see suspicious-looking people outside your business, do not open. Call the police or the security company and wait for them to arrive before you enter.

27. Keep as little cash as possible on your premises The best way to avoid robbery is to advertise and practice a sound cash-control policy. By keeping the lowest possible amount of cash on your premises and letting people know it, you become a less desirable target. Money should be deposited as often as possible – at least once daily. Arrange for a security firm to take cash to the bank. Bank at different times of the day – avoid establishing a routine. Use different routes to the bank, but always go directly to the bank. Do your other business after the money has been deposited. Never carry money in a bank bag – you are advertising that you carry a large sum of money! Wr ite down the serial numbers of some of the bank notes before you go to the bank. It may be useful evidence if you are robbed.

28. Control access to your business premises Make it as difficult as possible for an armed robber to storm into your business. Security guards and closed circuit television may keep would-be robbers away. The period just before closing time or just after you have closed your business, as well as the time just before you open your business in the morning are the most dangerous times. D uring these times you must limit access to your business for employees only.

29. What to do if you are robbed The most important rule is: Don’t try to be a hero! Armed robbers are usually extremely nervous and your first priority is the safety of your staff and customers. Activate a silent alarm if possible without the robbers noticing it. Obey all the commands of the robbers and don’t argue with them. Stay calm. Don’t fight or think of attacking the robber. Don’t follow the robbers if they leave or try to stop them from leaving. Call the police as soon as it is safe to do so. Protect any potential evidence, such as fingerprints, demand notes, or anything the robber left behind. Do not let anyone into the premises until the police arrived. I f you are sure the robber has gone, go outside to meet the police. That way they will know that you are safe and that it is not a hostage situation.

30. Explain emergency procedures in the workplace and contribute to the maintenance of security in the workplace

31. Outcomes Know the policy and procedures for emergencies in the building Know where assembly points are, as well as the correct evacuation route to these assembly points Interpret the emergency signage in the building Identify suspicious behaviour and take relevant action Demonstrate how to assist an injured or sick person Know what precautions to take when dealing with HIV/AIDS in the workplace

32. Emergency Policies and Procedures The Cape University of Technology health and safety policy: In the workplace, our priority must be the health and safety of all. Our goal is the prevention of occupational health risks, accidents and injury. Ensuring that all at the Cape Technikon are aware that irresponsible and careless activities place themselves and others at risk, is an important part of this commitment. O utside of the workplace, our priority must be to act responsibly by protecting the environment and the communities around us.

33. Responsibilities of employees: Attempt to recognize hazards to health and risks to safety Report such potential hazards and risks to the relevant health and safety representative R eport any incident which may affect health or which has caused or may cause injury to the health and safety representative Conduct himself/herself as to take care for the health and safety of himself/herself and others Co-operate with the Technikon to ensure that the duties or requirements in terms of the OHS Act are complied with Carry out any lawful order given to him or her and obey the health and safety rules and procedures laid down by the Technikon U se personal protective equipment provided, to protect himself or herself Obey all warning signs Familiarize himself or herself with building evacuation plans.

34. Evacuation Procedures Every building should have an evacuation plan This will show the evacuation route to the nearest exit Evacuation plan should be displayed at all exits, entrances and strategic points in the building Evacuation points must be clearly marked

35. Interpret emergency signage Demarcation is the clear marking out of hazardous locations Two main colour codes are used: red and yellow Red is used to spell danger Yellow indicates hazardous areas

36. Hazardous Location

37. Toxic gas and high voltage

38. Escape Route

39. Emergency exit

40. First aid station

41. Fire extinguisher

42. Identify and report suspicious behaviour Always be alert of potential danger, for example when monthly wages are paid in cash. Never handle cash in front of strangers Pay attention to people who are “loitering” close to the building or office. If you are not sure why the person is there, ask him/her directly. Pay attention to the person’s clothing. If you become suspicious, contact the security and your supervisor or colleagues. Take extra care just after workers have left the building. Do not transport money to and from the office after hours. Do not keep large amounts of cash in the office – deposit the money regularly.

43. Assist an injured person Keep calm – if you stay calm, it will help the injured person to stay calm as well. If the injured person becomes anxious or excited, it may cause the damage from the injury to increase. Decide quickly what you need to do – learn the basic procedures so that you can care for the injured person. Get professional help – if you can reach help quickly, it may save a life. Get to know your local emergency phone numbers. E ncourage the injured person – make the person as comfortable as possible and let him or her know that help is on the way.

44. Types of injuries Minor injury – this injury can be treated by a person with a first aid qualification. The injuries include minor burns, scratches, etc. Medical treatment cases – these cases are to be reported to the authorities, i.e. foreign body in eye, lacerations, broken bones, etc. Serious and fatal – all work to be stopped and the authorities to be notified. Work can only proceed once the inspector gives the go ahead. Emergency procedures – when a person is seriously injured and cannot be moved to a medical station. Place personnel at strategic points to direct the emergency personnel to the accident scene.

45. Procedure in case of a serious injury Raise the alarm and notify your immediate supervisor/superior. Give the exact location of incident. Send someone to fetch help. Assist the injured person. Tell him/her that help is on the way. When first-aid person arrives, assist him/her. When the incident is serious DO NOT move the injured person. Place people at strategic points to direct medical / ambulance personnel to the injured person.

46. Dealing with HIV/Aids in the workplace Offer first aid on the accident scene and only move the patient when the bleeding is under control. Only move a patient if one of you is in a dangerous position where you might get hurt. Don’t touch blood with your bare hands; use rubber gloves or use a clean plastic bag wrapped over your hands. Put bloody dressings and anything with blood on it into a plastic bag and throw it away somewhere safe where children cannot get to it. Make sure that other people do not touch the blood. Protective, disposable first aid equipment should be worn at all times. Remember that HIV/AIDS can only be transmitted via contact with bodily fluids.