Following Health Safety and Security Procedures REVISION Following Health Safety and Security Procedures Refer to page 101

On Completion of This Chapter You Will Be Able To: Explain the role of the NOHSC / SafeWork Australia and the states’ and territories’ responsibilities for health and safety in the workplace. Describe the employer and employee obligations under OHS in the workplace. Explain the importance of following OHS enterprise policies and procedures. Explain a range of ways an enterprise can meet its OHS responsibilities. Refer to page 101

On Completion of This Chapter You Will Be Able To: Explain ‘hazard management’ in the workplace and identify a range of hazards in the hospitality industry. Describe the requirements for maintaining personal presentation standards with regard to OHS. List potential emergency situations in the workplace and describe the action to take in the event of an emergency or potential emergency. Refer to page 101

On Completion of This Chapter You Will Be Able To: Explain the key security issues in a hospitality environment. Describe the insurance requirements of an enterprise to meet its legal and moral obligations, including workers’ compensation and public liability. Describe the legal obligations to maintain records of workplace injuries and ‘near miss’ reports. Refer to page 101

Role of the NOHSC / SafeWork Australia Policy and strategy development to reduce workplace injuries (with a focus on prevention) Coordinate national efforts to achieve strategies Develop standards and codes of practice where needed to assist workplaces meet their legal obligations Enforce OHS legislation Refer to page 102

State and Territory Authorities Working in conjunction with the NOHSC, each State and Territory has responsibility for making and enforcing OHS related laws. Protecting the health and safety of employees and the public (while in a workplace) Facilitating compliance with the OHS Act Refer to page 102

OHS legislation Objectives Reduction of work-related accidents. Elimination of risks to health and safety at work. The protection of people at work against risks to health and safety. The provision of involvement of employees in the identification and management of health and safety issues. Refer to page 102

What is a code of practice? A practical and flexible guide for meeting OHS standards in the workplace. Examples include: Manual handling Hazardous substances First aid Refer to page 103

Employer obligations for OHS Maintain equipment Train staff in the use of equipment Ensure safe storage, handling and use of hazardous substances Provide adequate information, instruction and training to enable employees to do their job safely Monitor the health of employees Involve employees on OHS initiatives Monitor, record and evaluate workplace incidents. Refer to page 103

Employee obligations for OHS Take reasonable care for their own, their colleagues and the public’s health and safety Cooperate with employers to comply with OHS requirements Report breaches of safety and potential risks Work and behave in ways that are safe Follow instructions and rules imposed by the employer. Refer to page 104

Developing OHS policies and procedures Policies and procedures are developed to help employers and employees meet their obligations under OHS requirements. Refer to page 104

What is a policy? The position, an organisation takes on an issue It can also be a standard, rule or regulation. An organisations policy usually forms part of its overall goals to achieve OHS in the workplace. Refer to page 105

What is a procedure? A procedure is how to carry out a task or duty. Usually a step by step guide that helps ensure compliance and consistency is the way a task is completed. Refer to page 105

What is a duty of care? In meeting the OHS obligations, employers have a duty of care for both their employees’ and the general publics’ well being. A duty of care is the responsibility one person has for another, in the eyes of the law, for that person’s health and safety. Refer to page 105

How do enterprises meet their OHS obligations? Policy and procedure development and implementation Workplace OHS officer Designated work groups Health and safety committees Refer to page 107

Workplace OHS officer This role is carried out by a staff member (in addition to their usual duties) Initiates investigation of OHS breaches, accidents and near misses Responds to and reports on OHS issues raised by staff Refer to page 107

Designated work groups A group made up of management and representatives for each department or section within an organisation, representing the collective interests of all employees. Their role is similar to that of an OHS officer. Refer to page 107

Health and Safety committees May have a similar structure to a DWG or be comprised of management and other key personnel (such as someone from an industry body). Works in a consultative manner to help the organisation meet its OHS legal obligations. Refer to page 108

What can an OHS inspector do? Under OHS legislation, OHS inspectors have the authority to: Visit and inspect most work sites (in response to a complaint or as part of a strategy to improve working conditions in certain industries) Enter a work site at any time as required or requested Investigate an incident of serious injury or fatality Refer to page 108

What can an OHS inspector do? Take photographs and samples Seize property Examine and copy documents Conduct interviews and enquiries Seek assistance from technical experts, interpreters or others Issue improvement notices Issue prohibition notices Refer to page 108

What is an Improvement Notice? A written directive requiring a person or organisation to fix a breach of the law. Refer to page 108

What is a Prohibition Notice? A direction to an individual or organisation to stop an activity that is, or has the potential to be, a risk. Refer to page 108

What is a Hazard? A hazard is anything that can potentially cause harm. Refer to page 109

What is Hazard Management? The identification of potential hazards in the workplace and the implementation of steps to eliminate those hazards. Refer to page 109

What is a Risk? A risk is the likelihood that a potential hazard will result in injury or disease. Refer to page 110

What is Risk Control? Risk control is the elimination or minimisation of the likelihood of an injury occurring from exposure to the hazard. Refer to page 110

Types of hazards in the workplace Physical Chemical Manual handling Psychological General Refer to pages 110 - 115

How can risks and the likelihood of injury be minimised? Wearing personal protective clothing Following OHS procedures Reporting faults Correctly manually handling Cleaning spillages immediately Correctly storing equipment and chemicals Correctly using equipment

What is a Safe Work Practice? The completion of tasks in a manner that is safe. Many enterprises develop Safe Work Practice guidelines to help employees work in a safe manner. Refer to page 117

What is First Aid? First Aid is the application of emergency care, in the first instance, to an injured person. Refer to page 117

What is PPC&E Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment (PPC&E) are items used to protect employees while performing their job. Examples in hospitality include: Uniforms Disposable and chemical resistant gloves Face masks Hairnets Aprons Glasses/goggles Tongs Trolleys Refer to page 118

What is an emergency? An act or event that has the potential to cause harm to people or property. Examples include: Fire Bomb threat Natural disaster Accidents Civil disorder Refer to page 120

Fires – causes, characteristics and classes In hospitality environments, fires are most likely to originate in non-public areas (kitchen, storeroom etc). All fires have three characteristics – they need fuel, a means of ignition and oxygen. Fires are classified by the type of fuel the fire needs to burn. Refer to page 121

Fire prevention Everyone in the organisation is responsible for fire prevention. Be familiar with evacuation procedures Be familiar with fire fighting equipment and its location Report electrical faults Correctly store flammable liquids Don’t store combustibles unnecessarily or carelessly Ensure rubbish does not accumulate Extinguish cigarettes thoughtfully Handle fats, oils and chemicals correctly Never leave the kitchen unattended Clean regularly Refer to page 122

What to do in the event of an emergency Stop, think, act Assist anyone in immediate danger if safe to do so Isolate fires by closing doors Raise the alarm Attempt to extinguish fires only if safe to do so Remain calm Report to designated assembly point Refer to page 122

What not to do in an emergency Do not: Endanger your own or someone's else’s life Use lifts Attempt to retrieve personal items Attempt to retrieve valuables Ignore directions from emergency services personnel or fire wardens Hinder emergency services personnel or fire wardens Panic Enter a closed room if door handle or door is warm Refer to page 122

What is ‘security’ concerned with? Security is concerned with protecting: People Assets Property Refer to page 124

A security system may include: Written procedures Staff training in prevention and procedure in the event of security breaches Regular review of existing systems Clearly defined lines of authority in the event of security breaches Reporting systems for security breaches Evaluation of management of security breaches after the event. Refer to page 124

Security procedures Security procedures for hospitality enterprises are likely to include: Emergency evacuation Bomb threats Armed robbery Suspicious people Access control Premises security Safety deposit boxes Luggage security Keys and locks security Disturbances Financial control Refer to page 124

Who is a ‘suspicious person’? Anyone who gives the impression that something might be wrong by their looks or behaviour. Be alert to people who Rush off hurriedly when you look at them or approach them Avoid eye contact Attempt to access ‘staff only’ areas Refer to page 128

What is a ‘disturbance’? Any event or occurrence that interrupts the normal activities of an organisation. Be alert to: Loud arguments Scuffles Intoxicated people Refer to page 129

What is insurance? Insurance is a way of protecting the interests of a business if anything goes wrong, such as: Fire Theft Injury Property damage Refer to page 181

What insurance should organisations hold? Liability insurance Property insurance Fire insurance Loss of profits Workers compensation Refer to page 131

What is workers compensation? Workers compensation is a compulsory insurance scheme designed to protect the financial security of the employer in the event an employee sustains an injury. After an injury, an employee may be: Financially compensated Rehabilitated A combination of both Refer to page 131

Reporting requirements All security breaches, accidents, ‘near misses’ and injuries in the workplace, no matter how big or small, should be reported to management. Refer to page 132

What is a ‘near miss’? A ‘near miss’ is an accident waiting to happen! A ‘near miss’ is an incident whereby an injury almost or could have occurred. An employer is required to investigate near misses and to reduce further likelihood of a near miss occurring (by taking steps to fix the cause of the near miss). Refer to page 132

What is risk management? Risk management is the identification of incidents that occur as a result of the same risk and putting in place measures to prevent further occurrence. Refer to page 134

Reporting injuries All employers are required to maintain a log of injuries and near misses that occur in the workplace. In the event of serious injury and fatality, the employer is obligated to report the event to their WorkCover Authority (who conducts an intensive investigation of the incident and the workplace). Refer to page 134

Cost of Accidents Human Social Financial Psychological Refer to page 134