BSBOHS509A Ensure a Safe Workplace

What is a hazard?
a hazard is a source of danger - any
situation, incident or event - which could cause accident, illness or injury all types of workplaces have hazards caused by: the working environment the type and/or pace of work equipment or chemicals used

Hazards - 6 Categories
Physical Chemical Ergonomic Radiation Psychological Biological

PHYSICAL such as NOISE Some examples of decibel levels

People talking
60-75 dB(A) Heavy truck 90 dB(A) Jet engine 140 dB(A)

Vibration

Vibration in machines, cars,

planes, bridges, etc can lead to metal fatigue, failure, increased wear & tear, and the loosening of parts.

Hot and Cold Conditions

Our bodies are like a car. It takes in chemical energy (fuel), burns it in the engine to change the chemical energy to mechanical energy, but most is wasted as heat energy. We take in chemical energy in the form of food and drink and our body turns it into energy to make our muscles move. 80% is turned into heat energy and must be gotten rid of.

Other Physical Hazards

Manual Handling Confined Space Fire Explosions and Explosives Dust Clutter Electricity Dangerous work Blocked Walkways

Chemical Hazards
Gases (carbon monoxide, methane, propane)
Fuels (gasoline, diesel, propane,) Dust (asbestos, silica) Solvents (cleaning agents, turpentine) Fumes (welding, photocopier toner,

whiteboard cleaner)
Smoke (tobacco) Mists (paint spray, pesticides)

Knowledge is important when working with chemicals.

They can burn, poison, explode,

cause skin disease, produce toxic fumes and sometimes cause problems that may not show up for years.

We are surrounded by tens of thousands of chemicals and chemical compounds, at home and work.

Thousands of these can be

either a major or minor hazard.

Chemical Hazards Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

most workplaces have some chemicals or

hazardous substances in use. This includes chemicals used by cleaning staff MSDS include details that will help you take action regarding a hazard caused by the chemicals MSDS should be clearly filed and kept up to date for all chemicals and hazardous substances kept at the workplace

Ergonomic hazards
condition and design of equipment and
storage and manual handling of dangerous
furniture
goods and other loads slips and falls and the danger of falling objects job and task design tool and equipment design

RADIATION

Many of the accidents are minor cuts, bruises and broken bones, but unfortunately, nearly as many are serious.

Psychological hazards
difficult customers loss of control over work boredom, overwork, skill levels harassment conflict with colleagues discrimination abuse, bullying substance and alcohol abuse
Conflict Anger!

Dealing with difficult customers

Biological hazards include

bacteria & viruses insects, birds & animals plants humans
Can cause: skin irritation, allergies or infections

Revision Hazards - 6 Categories

Physical Chemical Ergonomic Radiation Psychological Biological

Risk Assessment & Control of Risks The Four Step Process

Some hazards can be more dangerous than others. With a busy workplace it may not be possible to allow every hazard to be controlled right away or there may be some budget issues to consider. Therefore it is important to carry out a Risk Assessment in order to prioritise the risks.

Risk the chance of something harmful occurring.

Hazard the source (cause) of danger.

Risk Assessment & Control of Risks The Four Step Process

Identify hazards Assess risks to health & safety (likelihood & consequence) Control the risks (Hierarchy of Control) Follow up the risks (evaluate, monitor & review)

Step One - Identify hazards

Risk is the likelihood of an injury or illness happening because of a Hazard.

Step One - Identify hazards

Ways to identify hazards: investigate accidents consult with employees observation (workplace inspections) safety audits review illness and injury records health and environmental monitoring complaints

Ways to identify hazards

MSDS (material safety data sheets)
Task analysis Work processes Surveys - ideas from suggestion boxes and

safety talks

Professional assistance

Workplace inspections should involve the following people:

people working where hazards may happen health and safety representatives committee members supervisors and managers

Checklists will help to make sure that all legal and policy requirements are met For potentially hazardous sites e.g. storage of chemicals, have frequent inspections

Step Two - Assess Risks

What is the likelihood of injury or illness arising from exposure to the hazard?

Step Two - Assess Risks

Consider two things

1. Likelihood how likely is it

that this hazard will cause an accident or illness? and 2. Consequences how bad could the potential injury or illness be?

1. Likelihood: How likely is it that a hazardous event or situation will occur? P51
Level Descriptor Description

Almost certain (common)

Is expected to occur in many circumstances (within 24 hours)

4
3 2 1

Likely (known to occur)

Will probably occur at some time (3-5 days)

Possible (could Might occur at some time (57 days) occur) Unlikely (not likely) Rare (almost impossible) Could occur at some time (1-2 weeks) Might only occur in exceptional circumstances

Likelihood
Rating Almost certain 90 to 100% Likely 50 to 90% Possible 25 to 50% Unlikely 10 to 25% Rare 0 to 10% Definition/measure where one or more of the measures apply or could apply Several people exposed per shift Exposure for the entire time the hazard/task is operational Exposed for more than 2 hours per shift One or two employees exposed per shift Exposure for most of the time the hazard/task is operational Exposed for up to 2 hour per shift Exposure of one or more person 2 to 3 times per week Exposure to hazard less than 50% of the time the task is operational Exposure for less than 2 hours per shift Exposure of one or more person two to three times per month Exposure to hazard less than 25% of the time the task is operational Exposure for less than 1 hour per shift Exposure of one or more person 2 to 3 times per year Exposure to hazard less than 10% of the time the task is operational Exposure very infrequent through shift

2. Consequences: What might be the consequences of a hazardous event or situation? P51 for explanations 1. Insignificant 2. Minor 3. Moderate 4. Major 5. Catastrophic

Assessment Matrix
Likelihood Consequence Overall Risk Rating

High (3)
Medium (2) High (3) Medium (2) Medium (2) Low (1)

High (3)
High (3) Medium (2) Medium (2) Low (1) Medium (2)

High (6)
Medium High (5) Medium High (5) Medium (4) Medium Low (3) Medium Low (3)

Low (1)

Low (1)

Low (2)

Assessing Risk
talk to people who know about the
hazard, and have experience of working with the hazard work out how likely it is that an incident will happen, and balance that against how serious the resultant incident could be priority then becomes the incidents that could happen often and could have serious consequences

For each hazard consider nature of the hazard health effects (long term and short term) number of people exposed (how often and
for how long?) technical advice and expert knowledge results of monitoring existing control measures legal requirements or standards

Remember
some hazards are potentially more
dangerous than others it may not be possible to allow every hazard to be controlled right away there may be budget issues to consider

Hazard and Risk Form

It is important that all the relevant
information is included on the Hazard Reporting Form.

Why?

What should be included?

Date and time hazard noticed Hazard/Risk Situation Location of hazard Number of Persons At Risk Current Controls (If any) Hazard Incident (If applicable)

What should be included cont?

RISK ASSESSMENT Severity Details
Catastrophic

Insignificant / Minor / Moderate / Major /

Likelihood Details:
Certain

Rare / Unlikely / Possible / Likely / Almost

Step Three - Control Risks

Once we have identified the highest priority hazards (highest overall risk rating) we have to control them by treating or correcting them using the Hierarchy of Control.

Step Three - Control Risks (Hierarchy of Control)

The Hierarchy of Control prioritises options for implementing possible problem solutions and controls. It is used when determining risk elimination and reduction methods. The controls can be used individually, or sometimes you will need to use a combination of controls.

Hierarchy of Control p54-55

1.Eliminate (Remove) 2.Substitute (Change) 3.Isolate (Contain) 4.Administrate (Control) 5.PPE (Protect)
(ppe = personal protective equipment)

Hierarchy of Control p54-55

Eliminate (Remove)
Get rid of it, remove the risk *best option Eg. If there is a hole, fill it in

Substitute (Change)
If you cant remove then change with a different piece of equipment Eg. Cant fill in the hole, put a manhole cover Eg. Use less hazardous chemicals

Isolate (Contain)
Contain by putting guards on machines, fit acoustic hoods, isolate tasks that cause fumes, or use hazardous materials Eg. Fix electrical cords to the walls, cover sharp parts of machinery, fence around building sites

Administrate (Control) (Procedure)

amend work practices e.g. inform with signs, train staff, control with procedures Eg. Put up signs (danger, information), train staff, write safety procedures

Personal Protective Equipment (Protect)

provide a barrier to a hazard if you remove the clothing, or it is not
properly maintained (for instance, a hole in overalls) then the hazard could cause harm immediately use such as hard hats, goggles, fire extinguishers etc

Eg provide safety equipment for staff to

Step Three Control Risks

Step Three Control Risks Poisonous Paint Spray

Step Three Control Risks Poisonous Paint Spray

Remove the need (get someone else) Use a non toxic paint Use in a special area with fresh air Train staff, use warning signs, write procedures Provide clothes, goggles, mask etc

Step Four Follow Up Risks What should you do when you see a Hazard? REPORT IT!

identify the hazard complete a hazard report lodge the hazard report ensure something is done to rectify the problem Monitor and review

Step Four Follow Up Risks

Look at current procedures

do they need updating?

Create an Action Plan

apply a plan who, what, when

Immediate action
what needs the most attention?

Specific monitoring
who will monitor, when / how often? What record keeping?

Workplace health & safety Its everyones responsibility

You must not endanger yourself or coworkers

Your employer must ensure that he/she

provides workers with a safe workplace and training in OH&S requirements

Safety Record Keeping Typical Safety Records

Training Records
Details of who has undertaken what training such as induction, refresher, first aid, use of fire extinguisher, food safety etc

Simulation excercises undertaken

Fire drill, chemical spills etc

Reported hazards
What hazards have been reported and what has been done (HOC)

Safety Record Keeping Typical Safety Records

Accidents and Incidents
What accidents and incidents have taken place and what injuries resulted. Includes near misses and other incidents such as fires

Incident / Accident Reporting What should be recorded?

Employer Employees Name, position who is recording incident Time and date of incident Details of Incident Details of Injury if applicable How it occurred Sequence of events What happened What was the person doing at the time Process, equipment or product involved location

What should be recorded?

Person/s injured Student details (if person injured is
student) Details if person injured is not ACK student or employee Date form completed

Safety Record Keeping Typical Safety Records

Environmental Control Reports
Eg food storage locations records of temperature control thoughout the day in the case of food poisoning reports

Safety Record Keeping

Why?
Keeping good records about the organisations safety issues is important for the following reasons: 1. Legislation (law): shows the organisation tries to keep a safe workplace in case of legal action.

Safety Record Keeping

2. Management: information is not lost in the system. Records help managers to make sure safety issues are addressed in priority order.

Safety Record Keeping

3. Valuable safety information: good records make it easy to identify repeating safety issues and identify common safety problems. Identifies which areas of the business are most likely to have accidents. Also identifies who has received safety induction and safety training.

True or false?
Most accidents can be prevented. There are strong laws covering occupational health and

safety. Everybody in the workplace is responsible for occupational health and safety. Employers have a legal duty to look after their workers' health and safety. Employers must identify health and safety problems and fix them. Good occupational health and safety is good business

Yes, all these statements are true!

Remember
If you do not report a hazard or incident
when you see it, you are not meeting your duty of care to yourself and others.