The document provides an induction for new employees on safety procedures and legislative requirements at the workplace, including responsibilities of employers and employees, emergency procedures, equipment safety checks, hazard identification and risk management, ergonomics, manual handling techniques, and incident reporting processes. Key Tasmanian safety legislations are outlined as well as the inspection and consultation process used to ensure compliance. Resources for further safety information are also listed.

1. SAFETY INDUCTION
Induction for new employees

2. Induction Process
The purpose of this induction is to ensure a safe work place for every worker and visitor.
To ensure compliance with organisational and legislative requirements, you will be provided with
information on:
• Responsibilities
• Emergency procedures
• Equipment safety checks
• Risk and incident reporting
• Additional resources

3. Tasmanian Safety Legislations
There are three legislations that apply to the health and safety of Tasmania.
 Work Health and Safety Act 2012
 Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012
 Code of Practice

4. Duty of Care
•Provide a safe work place for workers by providing them with working equipment,
training on how to use them and supplying them with Personal Protection
Equipment when required.
•They also must regularly monitor the conditions of the workplace, make sure
equipment is maintained, check that procedures are being used and that every
worker is aware of the method for reporting hazards.
Employers Must:
•Work in a safe manner so that reasonable care is taken to ensure their own health
and safety and those working around them.
•To follow reasonable health and safety guidelines and procedures of the workplace.
Employees must:

5. Current Safety Procedures
•No food or open drink containers around work stations.
•Spills to be cleaned up immediately.
•Walkways and work areas are to be kept tidy and free of
clutter.
•Use safe manual handling practises.
•Use ergonomic designed workstations in the correct
manner.
•Using supplied Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when
required.
•Training to be completed before using equipment.
•Report any incidents, accidents or near misses.
•Observe warning and safety signs.
•Follow emergency procedures
•Zero tolerance on bullying and harassment.
Our studio has documented
procedures for performing
tasks to ensure the safety of
workers while they perform
their duties. Their purpose is
to reduce risk and the
likelihood of injury.

6. Equipment Safety Checks
•Conducts regular maintenance on all equipment to ensure that it is free from damage and
in safe working order.
•A safety audit is conducted every 6 months to check for hazards and monitor
implemented safety measures.
•Electrical equipment is tagged and checked annually by an electrician.
•Records of equipment maintenance schedules and service logs are maintained.
In order to ensure that workers have equipment that is safe to use
the studio:
•Perform a visual inspection of equipment each day prior to use.
•Report any identified faults or damages immediately.
•Ask if you are unsure on how to use any of the equipment or have safety concerns.
It is important that all workers take a role in ensuring the
equipment they are using is safe. They can do this by:

7. Fiona Finch
Extension 567
Mobile: 23 53 434 661
Email: fifinch@studiodesign.com
Designated Safety Representative

8. What is a Hazard?
•Unsafe conditions
•Unsafe acts
A hazard is a source, condition or practice that has the potential to cause
harm or affect the health of individuals, organisations or property in an
adverse manner. Hazards are caused by:

9. Ergonomics helps a worker be more comfortable in their workspace by
preventing the chance of stress and injury.
A worker that is not distracted by pain or stress they are more likely to have
better productivity.
Why is ergonomics important?

10. Having chairs and desk that are adjustable helps
the worker position themselves in front of a
computer in a way that prevents the need for
slouching or overreaching in order to use the
keyboard or mouse.
This can also allow for better placement of arms
and wrists in regards to typing.
Having a bad setup can result in Musculoskeletal
disorders that affect the muscles, nerves,
tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, and spinal
discs, which results in pain and discomfort often
leading to reduced productivity or requiring time
off work.
Adjustable chairs and/ or desks

11. Bad lighting can result in eye strain leading to headaches that affect a workers ability to
concentrate.
Too much lighting can cause glare especially on desktop monitors and this affects the workers
ability to see what they are working on and they may sit in an awkward position in order to
avoid the glare. This can then cause discomfort in other areas of the body.
Not enough lighting requires the worker to strain their eyes more in order to see and
depending on how bad the lighting they may bump into objects while moving around.
Lighting

12. The ideal position for a monitor is with the top of the
screen below eye level and the centre of screen about
shoulder level and the worker being able to sit directly in
front of screen.
A properly positioned monitor reduces the chance of
injuries to the neck, shoulders and back as well as reduce
the amount of strain on the eyes.
Having the monitor attached to an adjustable arm allows
for better positioning.
Adjustable Monitors

13. Many office environments have partitioned work areas to add a sense of privacy to workers
but this can lead to confined spaces if not done properly.
Confined spaces can affect a workers productivity by restricting their ability to move around
comfortably.
Trying to move around in a confined space may result in bruises and injuries to the arms and
legs from constantly bumping into furniture and other equipment.
It can also cause extra stress in some people who have trouble being in small spaces.
Confined Space

14. Typing for long periods of time without rest can result in fatigue and pain in the fingers and
wrists as well as stiffness in the arms and shoulders from being in a stationary position.
This can affect a workers ability to keep up with their work and in it extreme can lead to time
off work to recover.
The eyes can also be affected by too much typing as it requires sustained visual attention
resulting in dry and tired eyes.
A short break every 30mins is recommended in order to avoid these problems.
Typing

15. Manual handling is any activity that requires the use of force exerted by a person to
 Lift
 Carry
 Lower
 Push
 Pull
 Move
 Or hold and item.
It also includes work involving repetitive activities, sustained muscle exertion and
fixed postures.
What is Manual Handling?

16. Using bad Manual Handling techniques can lead to injuries including:
 Sprains and strains of muscles, tendons, nerves and joints
 Back injuries
 Lower back pain
 Soft-tissue injuries to wrists, arms, shoulders, neck or legs
 Abdominal hernias
All these injuries are known collectively as Musculoskeletal disorders or MSDs.
Injuries Associated with Manual Handling

17. Bad Manual Handling Methods

18. Good Manual Handling Methods

19. Controlling Risks
•Check equipment for faults and damage before use.
•Ensure adequate lighting to reduce eyestrain and glare.
•Training on equipment use.
•Use correct manual handling procedures.
•Keep walkways clear, clean up spills and place signs if needed.
•Use ergonomic practises.
•Take a short break regularly to reduce strain and muscle pain.
•Perform light stretches.
•Safe handling and storage of chemicals in accordance to the MSDS.
•Be respectful of each other and no bullying or harassment will be tolerated.
•Consulting workers about their work environment and equipment in regards to health and
safety regularly.
There are many simple ways that risks can be reduced and controlled.

20. Risk & Incident Reporting
• All incidents need to be reported to your supervisor
immediately. If you are unable to leave then send someone
for help.
• Seek appropriate medical aid in case of injury or suspected
injury.
• Engage relevant emergency services if required.
• Make the area safe form further incidents by turning off
equipment (if safe to do so) and blocking of area.
• Fill in an Incident report form as soon as possible and submit
it to the Safety Representative for review.
• The Safety Representative will report all significant incidents
to WorkSafe Tasmania within 48 hours.
• An investigation will be conducted into the cause of the
incident as well as consultation with workers to determine
solutions.
• Control measures will be implemented to, as much as
possible, eliminate the hazard.
• Monitoring and further consultations will be conducted to
determine the effectiveness of the implemented control
measures.

21. Inspection & Consultative Process
•WHS committee that meets regularly to discuss, monitor and review workplace
operations and procedures to ensure they comply with safe work practices.
•Safety audits and equipment inspections are conducted every 6 months. Results are
discussed at WHS committee meetings.
•Notices, meeting minutes and information on health and safety is posted on the staff
noticeboard.
•A drop box and feedback form is available at the staff noticeboard.
•The Safety Representative consults regularly with workers in order to get their views on
the workplace and to determine if further training is required.
•Workers are provided details of procedure/ equipment changes through the noticeboard
and meetings. Training is supplied to ensure they understand changes and can use new
equipment safely.
This studio uses the Risk Management Framework as part
of its inspection and consultative process.

22. Emergency Procedures
•Remain Calm.
•Raise the alarm if not already sounding.
•Turn off or secure equipment (if can be done quickly) to
prevent further hazards.
•Only use fire equipment if you have had training.
•Assist anyone in immediate danger if it is safe to do so.
•Follow the instructions of the Fire Warden.
•Head towards the nearest safe fire exit.
•Close doors as you leave but don’t lock.
•Walk quickly and calmly to designated assembly area.
•Do not re-enter the building until advised to do so by the
Fire Warden.
Practice drills are run every 6
months to help ensure
everyone is familiar with the
process.

23. Responsibilities
•Monitor performance and respond to incidents, hazards and risks and review policies,
processes and procedures.
•Ensure the workplace is free of harassment, bullying and discrimination.
•Consult with workers about health and safety and encourage a safe workplace.
•Understand workplace operations, hazards and risks and perform regular audits.
•Ensure legal compliance at all times by acquiring health and safety knowledge.
•Provide training to workers on how to use equipment safely.
Employer’s
•Know how to take reasonable care of you own and others health and safety.
•Work in a safe and healthy manner by following reasonable instructions, policies and
procedures.
•Wear PPE when required.
•Report any hazards, or incidents as soon as possible.
•Not behave in a way that puts themselves or others at risk
Employee’s

24. Hazard signs & Safety Symbols

25. Resources for further information
Worksafe Tasmania
http://worksafe.tas.gov.au/
Workcover Tasmania
http://www.workcover.tas.gov.au/
How to Manage Work Health and Safety
Risks – Code of Practice
http://worksafe.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pd
f_file/0020/192062/manage_work_safety_ri
sks_code.pdf
Work Health and Safety Act 2012
https://www.legislation.tas.gov.au/view/htm
l/inforce/current/act-2012-001