Occupational Health & Safety WQqQ&list=PL9E1CA7327E609C5 WQqQ&list=PL9E1CA7327E609C5

Occupational Health & Safety How could these accidents be avoided?

Occupational Health & Safety

In 2012… 171 people were killed at work

What is OH&S? OHS is about the health, safety and welfare of all people in the workplace.

Legal Framework The OHS Act 2000 and OHS Regulation 2001 constitute the main legislative framework for injury prevention in the workplace. The purpose of the Act and Regulation is to ensure workplace health and safety with an emphasis on risk management and consultation.

Duties of Employers The employer is responsible for: maintaining places of work in a safe condition and ensuring safe entrances and exits making arrangements to ensure the safe use, handling, storage and transport of plant and substances providing and maintaining systems of work and working environments that are safe and without risks to health providing the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure health and safety at work providing adequate facilities for the welfare of employees ensuring consultation with employees

Importance of OHS Employees have the right to a safe workplace. OHS laws aim to prevent accidents in the workplace by involving everyone within the business. In Victoria, Work Safe Victoria administers the Occupational Health and Safety Act This government authority has the power to inspect worksites and prosecute employers for any breaches of health and safety requirements.

Duties of Employees Employees must: take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others at the workplace cooperate with their employer to enable compliance with the OHS legislation. Everyone at the workplace must: not interfere with or misuse items provided for health, safety and welfare purposes not hinder aid to an injured worker not disrupt the workplace by creating health or safety fears.

Health and safety representatives HSRs are elected by a group of employees to represent them on health, safety and welfare issues. HSRs are trained to inspect, investigate and take action on OH&S issues.

Types of OH&S hazards Common hazards include: falls - including falling objects, people falling from height or slips and trips electricity - electrical current or lightning manual handling - overexertion or repetitive movement machinery and equipment - being hit and being caught in or between machinery or equipment hazardous substances such as acids and asbestos extremes of temperature radiation - like microwaves, lasers, ultraviolet light excessive noise biological agents such as bacteria and viruses psychological stress such as intimidation, violence or time pressure.

Hazard and risk examples Hazard: Manual handling e.g. lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling things Risk: Sprains and strains Hazard: Electricity e.g. worn or broken cords Risk: Electric shock Hazard: Chemicals e.g. acids, flammable liquids Risk: Burns, skin irritations, breathing problems Hazard: Noise e.g. machinery, general workplace noise Risk: Short- and long-term hearing damage.

What can be done to control risks or hazards? Elimination – remove the hazard. Substitution – replace the hazard with something less dangerous. Engineering – fit guards to dangerous machines. Administrative – provide instruction and training. Personal protective equipment (PPE) – supply safety boots or glasses.

OH&S IS EVERYBODY’S RESPONSIBILITY!!!

Safe workplace strategies A small business should carry out the steps in this flow chart to ensure a safe workplace: Identify the dangers Fix Potential problems Risk assessment Consult with employees Look at previous injury records Research risk associated with your industry Compile a list of hazards in every area of the workplace Prioritise the hazards on lists according to the level of the risk Death and serious injury has highest priority Minor cuts and scratches have lowest priority Continually monitor lists of hazards Aim to remove risk completely If risk cannot be removes, find ways to control it Change work processes to ensure safe practice

Apply your understanding Select one of the following workplaces, and develop a strategy for ensuring occupational health and safety in that workplace. (Use the flow chart as a guide) Local Bank Hairdressing Salon Mechanic Supermarket The LRC at school McDonalds A workplace that you are familiar with