Transforming Brand Perception and Boosting Profitability
Staff training @ Qp d-signs, a fictitious graphic design and print studio
1. Qp d-signs
Staff Training
Occupational Health & Safety in
the Workplace
Role Play
2. Hello and welcome to
Qp d-signs
My name is Grace and I am the creative director of Qp d-signs
Allow me to introduce to you the following staff members: Emma Kelly is
Qp d-signs art director and union representative
Scott Vanden Bosch is Qp d-signs head of graphic design plus our
emergency evacuation officer and fire warden.
Warrick Bennet is Qp d-signs website developer, IT manager and senior
workplace first aid officer.
Jeannette Heidelburg is Qp d-signs our account manager and OH&S
officer and representative.
3. Our Studios Current Safety
Procedures are...
To conduct any activity in the building or specific operation in accordance with OH&S guidelines, the
manufactures instructions and any additional OH&S requirements as stipulated by the business
management or OH&S committee.
Emergency evacuation
• Follow the buildings emergency evacuation plan and directions from our emergency evacuation
officer and fire warden
Printing machine operation
• Visual inspection of machine for defects
• Wear appropriate PPE
• Operate machine as per training and manufactures guidelines
• Leave workplace clean, uncluttered and safe for the next person to use.
• Unless operating machinery every other person must walk outside of the yellow lines. This
system ensures the safety of the operator and the safety of the non operator.
• All our chemicals are labelled according to the Material Safety Data sheet (MSDS)
• Any spillages must be cleaned up immediately and disposed of correctly, (in accordance with the
particular products MSDS)
• If you are unsure about the use and handling of chemicals seek advice from Jeannette Heidelburg
our designated OH&S representative or senior staff person.
4. Your Workplace Health and
safety Officer
• Risk Management/OH&S Representative
*Jeannette Heidelberg ext. 404
*jeanheidelberg@qpdesigns.com
5. Avoiding injuries in the Workplace
Eye strain
• Look away from the screen from
time to time.
• Adjust your screens brightness
Back injuries
• take a short break every 30 minutes
• Do some stretches
• Drink plenty of water
• Trolleys are provided for delivering heavy and bulky objects and are stored near the machines
• Employees my request ergonomic assessment by contacting our health and safety officer.
• Correct posture at your workstation, have the back of your chair tilted slightly forward.
Slips, trips and falls
• Any spillages of chemicals or solids should be cleaned up immediately, if safe to do so, and disposed of
correctly.
• Advise your manager immediately of the incident.
• Keep your workstation clean
RSI, repetitive strain injury
• If you think you may have RSI don’t wait for the pain to become worse, seek medical advice.
• Change your work habits, adjust your keyboard correctly so it sits flat with your wrists in a neutral
position
• Try switching your mouse to a wacom pen and tablet
• Use keyboard shortcuts instead of relying on the mouse
• Take regular breaks of 5 minutes every 20 – 30 minutes
6. Stress
• Working in the design industry can be stressful, with deadlines, learning new software, dealing with
clients, having your work critiqued and to constantly be creative.
• Identify the cause of the stress, are you working too much, spending too much time in front of the
computer?
• During your lunch breaks go for a walk outside
• Be organized, prioritize your workload
• Know how to manage your time, plan your day, write a list, lean to be disciplined
• Work with other designers
• Ask help from others
• Get a good nights sleep
• talk with your employer, supervisor or risk management representative
Chemical exposure and handling
Many chemical substances can cause harm if they are inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Many also
cause dermatitis or damage to the eyes. Exposure can have an immediate effect or may be delayed.
• We have replace hazardous substances with less toxic solvents and chemicals, caution still needs to be
taken when handling .
• Always make sure the exhaust ventilation is on
• Do not eat or drink in when handling chemicals
• Wear protective clothing , PPE when handling, cleaning up spillages and transporting hazardous
substances
Lifting
• Never move heavy or bulky objects by yourself, assess the risk of injury from any hazardous manual lifting
and handling which can not be avoided.
• Break down loads into easily handled units
• Use trolleys, hoists , forklift trolley
• Ask for help (team lift)
7. Noise
• Signs and labels are used to warn workers of noise hazards on our prepress machines and digital printers
and copiers
• Keep a safe distance from loud machinery and use appropriate hearing protection
• Be aware of others around you, noise leakage from your headphones can annoy those sitting close by you
Machinery operation
Just because you haven’t had an accident at a particular machine, don’t assume that the machine is safe.
Machinery may need upgrading to meet the right safety standards. Do a risk assessment to check whether
your guarding is suitable, then take any necessary action to reduce risks.
• All machinery must be guarded so that access is not possible to hazardous moving parts.
• Do not operated machinery in the dark or poor light, make sure there is adequate lighting.
• Make sure area around machinery is clear of obstacles.
• Electrical leads or extension leads should not breach walkways
Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a common skin condition, The causes are varied. It is often quite simply an inflammation of
the skin.
• an inherited sensitivity to eczema (atopy);
• contact with irritants such as soaps, solvents and wet work;
• allergy caused by contact with certain substances such as nickel or rubber.
• In the workplace all these factors may be involved. The printing industry uses developers, etching
solutions, solvents, inks, glues, gums, oils and greases that can all cause skin irritation.
• Printing processes with a high occurrence of skin problems are:
platemaking; correction of litho plates; solvent use; UV-cured ink use; materials containing socyanates;
cleaning of litho rollers and cylinders; guillotining; handling press room consumables.
8. Equipment safety checks
In the office:
• Check your workstation daily before starting work.
• Adjust your chair to a comfortable position to avoid bad posture
• Check that all electrical connections are in good condition.
• Tag faulty equipment as unsafe to operate.
• Report any faulty equipment.
• Check that safety guards are in place before machines are operated.
• Daily checks on guillotines and hand-fed platens, weekly checks on presses
• Drains on floors are not blocked
• Personal protective equipment must be maintained and stored appropriately
• Ventilators and filters to be checked and cleaned on a regular basis
• First aid kits are current, checked every 12 months
9. OH&S Report Forms
Spot the Hazard
Assess the Risk
Fix the Problem
Evaluate the results
• All staff are responsible for reporting all hazards, near misses, incidents and injuries to their
company director and the OH&S representative immediately as per the incident/hazard
reporting procedure. All reports need to be supported in writing using the Incident/Hazard
Report Form.
• Accidents and incidents must be reported within 24 hours
• The incident/Hazard Report contains three sections:
Section A. Person Making Report: Give details of the hazard observed, description of events or
incident
Section B. Person Making Report: In the event of an injury being sustained, description of injuries
and bodily locations
Section C. Manager: Follow up Incident / Hazard Investigation & Control
10. Qp d-signs OH&S meeting/inspection
• Regular meetings are organized on the last
Thursday of every month at 4pm in the staff
room
• Employees are encouraged to participate and
discuss their concerns regarding OH&S and
offer opinions that will improve their safety
and working conditions.
11. Procedure for emergencies (fire, injury,
assault, power-outs)
A. Fire:
1. sound alarm
2. Quickly assess if the fire can be extinguished, if not...
3. prepare to exist as per the evacuation plan
4. Follow instructions from fire warden
5. Assemble in the dedicated area
6. Account for number of staff
B. Injury:
1. Administer first aid
2. Call an ambulance if further assistance is required
3. Fill out incident report form
C. Assault
1. Exercise self defence
2. Attempt to attract the assistance of fellow workers
3. Contact police via 000
4. Support and first aid
5. Fill out incident report form
6. Counselling for victim and staff
7. Review procedures
D. Power-outs
1. Close the business
2. Prepare and machinery and computers for re-instated power
3. check lifts for occupancy and assure persons of the current situation
4. Attempt to contact energy provider and electrician
5. Re-open business when cleared to do so.
12. Employer and employee
responsibilities
EMPLOYERS:
Have an obligation to their staff to insure they are kept informed about
the companies OH&S policies
• Our company is responsible for the health and safety of our employees
and visitors, whilst in the workplace.
• Training will be provided to employees to insure they have the knowledge to
keep safe and safely operate machinery and equipment in the workplace
EMPLOYEES:
• must not put themselves or others at risk
• must report any potential hazards, faulty equipment, injury or
inappropriate use of equipment or substances to our OH&S rep,
Jeannette Heildelburg, who will follow up your concerns and if required
assist you to fill out appropriate forms.
• All incidents should be reported within 24 hours
• Work with your employer and co-workers to improve health and safety
at your workplace
14. Resources for OH&S
• www.workcover.tas.gov.au – for free workplace health and
• safety publications.
• www.wst.tas.gov.au – for information on workplace health
• and safety legislation, awards and entitlements.
• www.thelaw.tas.gov.au – for copies of the laws discussed in
• Workplace Health and Safety and the Law on page 24.
• Or call Print Applied Technology on 1800 030 940.
• www.worksafe.wa.gov.au – search for smart move to see the
• Western Australian guide for high school students starting work
• or work placement
• www.unionstas.com.au and www.actu.asn.au – for more
• information about unions.
• www.ascc.gov.au – for national codes of practice and guidance
• material.
• www.saiglobal.com/shop – for information on Australian standards
http://www.nsca.org.au/Safety_Training__Education/Online_Training/Online_Training.aspx
• For Online Safety Training
http://www.stjohntas.com.au/
St Johns First Aid Course
The Printers Guide to health and Safety
HSE priced and free publications can be viewed online or ordered from www.hse.gov.uk or contact HSE Books, PO
Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA Tel: 01787 881165 Fax: 01787 313995. HSE priced publications are also
available from bookshops.