Participate in WHS processes

AREAS (ELEMENTS) COVERED

• 1. Support others in working safely; • 2. Contribute to WHS participative

processes;• 3. Contribute to WHS participative

processes;• 4. Contribute to hazard identification, WHS

risk assessment and risk control activities.• 5. Participate in the control of emergency

situations.

• Section 1 Weeks 2 – 7

Plan and conduct work safely

Work Health and Safety Act 2011 No 10

Recap Week 2 - 25th July• On January 2012 new Work Health and

Safety (WHS) laws replaced the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) laws of 2000 in NSW.

• Every industry – including community based organisations i.e children's services - must incorporate the WHS legislation and regulation into their workplace code of practice.

Who does it affect and why do we need it? • The role of legislation is to ensure that certain standards are maintained for the safety and welfare of all workers.

•Work health and safety is about preventing injury, illness and disease in the workplace.

•We will be using the Work, Health and safety Act of 2011 No 10 for information.

Hazard identification and managementWeek 3 1/8/2013

What is a risk?

What is a hazard?

What is a hazard?

The Work Health and Safety Regulation of 2011 defines a

hazard as 'anything (including work practices and procedures) that has the potential to harm the health or safety of a person'.

Hazards (cont)

Remember that hazards are not always related

to the physical environment. They can relate to

the way we do things or the manner in which

people interact. It is responsibility of everyone

to be aware of hazards and the assessment of

risks in their job role.

What is a risk? In relation to any hazard, means the probability and consequence of injury, illness or damage resulting from exposure to a hazard.

Before commencing any new task it is very important to make an assessment of the task, the available equipment and the available personnel and to ensure that a plan of action is implemented that is safe and effective. Planning an activity before carrying it through is part of 'best practice' in any industry.

Hazards arise from....

• The work environment• The use of machinery and substances• Poor work design• Inappropriate systems and procedures

5 Broad areas of hazards

These include:

• Physical e.g noise, radiation, light, vibration• Chemical e.g. poisons, dust• Biological e.g. viruses, plants, parasites• Mechanical/electrical e.g slips, trips and falls, tools, electrical equipment• Psychological e.g. fatigue, violence, bullying.

Physical/Environmental hazards

Physical hazards relate to the work environment i.e

• Extreme computer useage;

•Computer desk and chair at an inappropriate height;

• Poorly lit room/ little ventilation;

• Insufficient lighting....

Physical/Environmental hazards

What would be defined as a hazard in a children's centre?

•Computer desk and chair at an inappropriate height;

• Insufficient lighting;

•Air quality i.e. lack of fresh air/ventilation

• Lack of fresh air from outdoor play

Ergonomic hazards

• Ergonomic hazards are those related to the physical workplace tasks that workers are required to perform e.g. lifting, carrying, data entry, putting away equipment, emptying bins, sweeping floors

• What would be a main hazard within a children's centre that relates to lifting?

Ergonomic hazards (cont)

All these tasks can cause accidents or injuries if:•Unsuitable equipment is provided to undertake tasks;

• Tasks are performed in an unsuitable environment i.e. you have very little space to manoeuvre heavy equipment....

Ergonomic hazards (cont)

How can we reduce the risk?• Use appropriate equipment for that workplace activity;

• The design of the workplace is safe and operational

• Work procedures/practices are safe.