Participate in WHS processes

• Section 1 Weeks 2 – 7

Plan and conduct work safely

Recap Week 7 -

August 29th 2013

Personal and professional

workplace hazards

Training package Pp 45 -50

Workplace harassment is where a person is subjected to behaviour, other than sexual harassment that:

1. is repeated, unwelcome and unsolicited;

2. the person considers to be offensive, intimidating, humiliating or threatening;

3. a reasonable person would consider to be offensive humiliating, intimidating or

threatening.

Workplace harassment

1. an employer/PCBU;

2. worker;

3. co-worker;

4. group of co-workers;

5. client or customer;

6. a member of the public.

can be committed by:Workplace harassment can be

committed by

can be committed by:Workplace harassment can be

committed by

Workplace harassment covers a wide range of behaviours ranging from subtle intimidation to more obvious aggressive tactics.

It is important that employers/PCBU apply the risk management process to prevent or control exposure to the risk of workplace harassment.

STRESS

• In most instances workplace stress arises from general day to day workplace issues.

• Stress usually has a slow and insidious onset.

• It is difficult to manage and difficult to alleviate.

• Stress is not a disease but a disturbance to your psychological health which often is shown in your attitude, mental function and physical health.

STRESS

• Stress is harmful to both mind and body.

• How a person reacts to stress can be dependant upon each individual and their support system.

• If there are sufficient and effective counselling provisions or family and peer support, then stress is often managed better.

• WHY?

STRESS

• If there have been previous stressful events, stress has not been recognised early or there are multiple issues involved, then stressful events are not easy to manage. What causes one person great stress may not trouble another.

STRESS

• Extremely busy and turbulent work.• A high ratio of inexperienced staff.• Under qualified staff.• High turnover of staff.• Too many demands.• Extremely monotonous work.• Every workplace can have this from time to time – so

stress can arise in any job at any time.

STRESS • COMMON STRESSES IN THE WORKPLACE• STAFF – puntuality, constant change, shortage of staff or

unrealistic expectations.• CLIENTS – aggression, punctuality, rudeness, unrealistic

demands.• CHILDREN – highly stressed, unsettled, sick or anti-social

behaviour etc.• ENVIRONMENT – noisy, lack of space/equipment,

equipment unsafe or uninspiring.• WORK CONDITIONS – poor pay, incorrect pay, over time

shifts, assessments, lack of leave and breaks, lack of status, poor communication.

BULLYING

• A bully is a person who uses strength or power to coerce others by fear.

• Workplace bullying exists in various forms.• It involves behaviour that intimidates, degrades or

humiliates a worker – sometimes in front of others.• Sometimes the behaviour is subtle and not easily

observed by others...i.e. Put downs, aggression, poorly managed conflict, opinions or personality clashes.

SYMPTOMS OF STRESS

• HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING.• LIMITED PATIENCE.• INABILITY TO STOP THINKING ABOUT PROBLEMS.• FEELING OVERWHELMED.• LACK OF CONCENTRATION.• OVERACTIVE.• LOSS OF APPETITE/OVER EATING.• TIRED/LETHARGIC• QUIET/WITHDRAWN• SADNESS OR DEPRESSION.

STEPS TO DEAL WITH STRESS • Identify what stresses you.• Identify your reaction to stress.• Identify what you can use or do to reduce stress.• Manage your stress, control the situation DON'T LET IT

CONTROL YOU!.• Be aware of other's stress.• OVERACTIVE.• IN ANY JOB YOU WILL NEED TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE

YOUR STRESS.

MANAGING/ELIMINATING STRESS • Take time out. Even if it is for only a short period each

day.• Read. Listen to music or just “be.”• Give yourself a pat on the back when you do something

well.• Look for the good/positive in every situation no matter

how bad it seems.• Look at what you can change and let go what you cannot.• Write down your goals then break them down into small,

achievable steps.

Section 2 Weeks 8 – 11

Supporting others in working safely

Week 8 -

September 5th 2013

Contributing to WHS in the workplace

Worker/PCBU responsibilities and contribution

WHS maintenance by workers

Maintenance of WHS training

Health and safety representatives

Health and safety committeesTraining package Pp 54 - 58

Worker/PCBU responsibilities and contribution

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 is important as it sets out responsibilities for everyone in the workplace.

Under the act the main duty of the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) is to provide a safe and healthy workplace for workers or other persons. To achieve this the PCBU must ensure a -

• Safe systems or work• Safe work environment• Accommodation for workers, if provided, is appropriate• Safe use of plant, structures and substances

Worker/PCBU responsibilities and contribution

• Facilities for the welfare of workers are adequate• Notification and recording of workplace incidents• Adequate information, training, instruction and

supervision is given• Compliance with the requirements under the work

place and safety regulation• Effective systems are in place for monitoring the

health of workers and workplace conditions (Workcover 2012)

Worker/PCBU responsibilities and contribution

It is against the law for workers to be dismissed from the workplace for complaining about health and safety issues. If workers are worried that health and safety issues are not being adequately addressed in the workplace they can contact WorkCover NSW or a representative of their union.

Worker/PCBU responsibilities and contribution

Workers have the right to:• A safe and healthy workplace• Safe ways of working• Safety information• Health and safety training• Safety equipment• Be able to comment about health and safety issues• Elect members to a health and safety committee• Leave the work areas in order to report a safety problem• Be consulted by PCBU's about health and safety concerns(Workcover 2012)

Worker/PCBU responsibilities and contribution

Students to complete Activity 1(2.1)

WHS maintenance by workers • It is imperative that in any workplace, in any industry

and organisation each worker is proactive in maintaining a clear, clean and tidy work area. Prevention of accident, injury and illness in the workplace involves a commitment from the management, the unions and workers. It cannot be effective unless everyone fully participates.

• It is the responsibility of each worker to maintain the equipment that they use and to notify any malfunction to a supervisor.

WHS maintenance by workers • Equipment must be kept clean and must be stored in

the correct area as soon as possible after use.

• Exits must be clearly marked and must not be blocked by equipment or rubbish.

• Rubbish should be cleared away regularly.

• Staff must participate regularly in training provided regarding WH&S.

Maintenance of WHS training

• Ongoing training at all levels is essential for the prevention of accidents and the maintenance of a a safe workplace.... Managers, union representatives and workers must all participate in safety programs.

• Managers MUST provide a safe work environment and provide/promote a health and safety program

• Unions – if onsite – must support management in the above

• Workers must always work with a safe attitude and safe work practices and participate in the above programs as required

Maintenance of WHS training

• There must be open communication and consultation between workers and management regarding WHS

• In most organisations there will be certain mandatory programs that must be undertaken at the commencement of employment regarding health and safety.

• Would this be a part of an induction process?• What would be covered?

Consultation activities

In what ways can workers contribute to WHS in the workplace?

Consultation activities

• Attending meetings• Completing surveys• Receiving feedback from management about issues

raised at meetings/daily work/through surveys• The consultation process MUST acknowledge the

opinions of everyone• Consultation can be achieved through1) Health and safety representatives, and2) Health and safety committees.

Worker/PCBU responsibilities and contribution

Students to complete Activity 2(2.2)

Health and safety representatives

Their role is to facilitate the flow of information about health and safety between the PCBU and the workers by -

• Representing workers relating to WHS matters• Monitor WHS actions taken by the PCBU• Investigate WHS complaints from workers• Investigate possible hazards/risks in the workplace.

Health and safety committeesHealth and safety committees bring together workers

and management to assist the development and review of health and safety policies and procedures for the workplace by, -

• Encouraging co-operation between the parties listed above

• Assist in developing standards, rules and procedures relative to health and safety (WorkCover 2012).

Worker/PCBU responsibilities and contribution

Students to complete Activity 3

• Look up the Guide the the National Quality Standards – and find the section that relates to health and safety for children. Discuss.• Now look up the relevant sections in the

regulations, that deals with both staff and children in relation to WHS.

Worker/PCBU responsibilities and contribution

Students to complete Activity 4

WORKING SAFELY

LET US FINISH THE SESSION WITH A VIGNETTE FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD AUSTRALIA – CONTINUING ON FROM OUR OBSERVATIONS OF PLAYGROUNDS AND THE NOTION OF WHAT RISK IS IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA.

Talking about practice series – Adventurous play – Developing a culture of risky play part 2

• How did the staff work as a team here?