The document provides an introduction to basic occupational health and safety (OH&S) principles that are applicable across various industries. It covers key topics including hazard identification, risk management, manual handling techniques, accident reporting procedures, and fire safety protocols. It emphasizes the importance of shared responsibility for workplace safety and the role of supervisors and OH&S officers.

1. BASIC
OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH & SAFETY

2. INTRODUCTION
At Catalyst we will be helping you find emplyment in many
different areas.
But basic Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) remains the
same across all industries.
Can you think of some generic OH&S issues?

3. Identifying Hazards in your workplace
what are the risks associated with hazard
safe manual handeling
who do i repo-rt an accident to
do i have to fill out any paperwork
what do i do if there is a fire
who looks after OH&S

4. WHAT IS A HAZARD
A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause hard:
It may be a cord across a walkway
Boxes stored in front of a fire exit
Faulty brakes on a forklift
Cab you think of any other you may have encoutered in a
previous workplace

5. WHAT IS A RISK
A Risk is the likelihood of harm occurring as a result of been
exposed to a hazard
A Risk getting caught in a fire if
you are exposed to the hazard of a
blocked fire exit

6. Conclusion: It’s up to the boss or supervisor to look out for
workplace hazards - Right ?

7. SAFE MANUAL HANDLING
Office, shop or factory floor, We will all have to lift
something at some stage. If not done properly you can end
up with LIFELONG problems.
Lets go through the basics

8. WHAT IS MANUAL HANDLING
Manual handling is any activity that involves lifting, lowering,
carrying, pushing, pulling, holding or restraining. It may also
include stretching and bending, sustained and awkward
postures and repetitive movements .

9. THE S.M.A.R.T LIFTING TECHNIQUE
This technique can be used to pick up small light loads from low level
Size up the Load
ASSES THE LOAD (SIZE, SHAPE AND WEIGHT);
ASSESS WHETHER THE LOAD NEEDS TO BE MOVED;
WHERE IS IT GOING TO BE PLACED “CHECK THT ARE NO
OBSTRUCTIONS;
ASSESS WHETHER MECHANICAL OR HUMAN ASSISTANCE IS
REQUIRED

10. THE S.M.A.R.T LIFTING TECHNIQUE
MOVE THE LOAD AS CLOSE TO THE BODY AS POSSIBLE
A LOAD IS HEAVIER TO LIFT OR CARRY IF IT IS NOT CLOSE TO
THE BODY.
THE WHOLE HAND SHOULD BE USED TO ENSURE A FIRM GRIP.

11. THE S.M.A.R.T LIFTING TECHNIQUE
ALWAYS BEND YOUR KNEES
MAINTAIN BALANCE
KEEP FEET APART AND IN A CONFORTABLE POSITION
MINIMISE LOWER BACK BENDING.
BEND KNEES PREFERABLE AT AS LARGE AN ANGLE AS POSSIBLE
BUT NOT A RIGHT ANGLE- USE A SEMI SQUAT IN PREFERENCE TO
A FULL SQUAT.

12. THE S.M.A.R.T LIFTING TECHNIQUE
RAISE THE LOAD WITH YOUR LEGS
ACHIVE THE LIFT SMOOTHLY AND WITHOUT JERKINESS
MAINTAIN THE NORMAL CURVATURE OF THE SPINE TO ALLOW
THE FORCE OF THE LOAD TO BE DISTRIBUTED EVENLY FROM THE
SPINE TO THE PELVIS.

13. THE S.M.A.R.T LIFTING TECHNIQUE
TURN YOUR FEET IN THE DIRECTION THAT YOU WANT TO MOVE THE
LOAD
AVOID UNNECESSARY BENDING, TWISTING AND REACHING.
CHANGE DIRECTION BY TURNING YOUR FEET AND NOT YOUR
BACK
TO SET THE LOAD DOWN, SQUAT DOWN, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP
LET YOUR LEGS FO THE WORK
ACT SMART

14. MANUAL HANDLING
BASICS
ASSESS THE LOAD AND THE ROUTE YOU WILL BE USING
1.
USE YOUR LEGS TO LIFT, NOT YOU BACK
2.
KEEP THE LOAD CLOSE TO YOUR BODY
3.
ASK FOR ASSISTANCE IF THE LOAD IS TOO HEAVY FOR 1 PERSON
OR USE MECHANICAL AIDS TO HELP SUCH AS TROLLY
4.
NEVER ATTEMPT TO LIFT AN OBJECT THAT IS TOO HEAVY
5.

15. ACCIDENT REPORTING
ALL ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS MUST BE REPORTED AND THE
DETAILS DOCUMANTED. FIND OUT THE CORRECT PROCEDURE WHEN
YOU START A NEW JOB. THERE MAY BE AN INCIDENT REPORT FROM
THAT HAS TO BE COMPLETED. IT IS UP TO YOU TO ENSURE THIS IS
DONE. IF YOU DO HAVE AN ACCIDENT THIS MAY BE A VITAL PIECE OF
EVIDENCE DOWN THE TRACK. IT ALSO HELPS SAFETY OFFICERS
TRACK WORKPLACE HAZARDS AND PREVENT THEN FROM HAPPENING
AGAIN.

16. WHAT SHOULD BE REPORTED ON AN
INCIDENT FORM
WHO WAS INJURED
TIME AND DATE
EXACT INJURIES
HOW IT HAPPENED
IF FIRST AIR OR HOSPITAL
WAS REQUIRED
ANY WITNESSES
SIGN BY INJURED PARTY,
WITNESS AND SUPERVISOR

17. WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF FIRE
REPORT FIRE TO SUPERVISOR FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS DON’T
ISE LIFTS EVACUATE IN AN ORDERLY FASHION KNOWN WHERE THE
ASSEMBLY POINT IS DO NOT RE ENTER BUILDING UNTIL TOLD IT IS
SAFE TO DO SO.

18. WHO LOOKS AFTER OH&S
REMEMBER SAFELY IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBLE.
DEPENDING ON THE SICE OF THE BUSINESS THERE MAY BE A
DEDICATED OH&S OFFICER. IF NOT SOMEONE WILL BE AN
ALLOOCATED FIRE WARDEN FOR EACH AREA OF FLOR. THEY WILL
DIRECT THINGS IF THERE IS A FIRE. IF YOU ARE UNSURE OF YOUR
OH&S OBLIGATIONS, SPEAK TO YOUR SUPERVISOR.