An introduction to OHS

What is OHS? OHS stands for Occupational Health and Safety. It is all about keeping everyone safe when you are at work.

Why bother with OHS processes? Because it saves lives Deaths in the workplace have dropped by almost 20% since 2002. That’s about 54 lives saved every year! This report reviews our progress in OHS matters. According to the report, workplace fatalities which required compensation fell by almost 20% over the four years from 2002. In 2006 to 2007, there were 246 workplace deaths resulting in compensation, as opposed to the 302 in 2002 to 2003. This drop allowed Australia to claim the world’s sixth lowest fatality rate for the reported period. The minister said although the report showed success in some areas, more can still be done to improve workplace safety. In 2000/2001 (one year period) There were 139 workplace fatalities. (Statistical Bulletin 2000/2001, WorkCover NSW)

Second was back injuries, which cost $270 million. Why bother with OHS processes? 1. Because it saves lives 2. Because it saves money The most common workplace injuries were sprains and strains, costing $565 million! Second was back injuries, which cost $270 million. Statistical Bulletin 2000/2001, WorkCover NSW) In 2000/2001 $30 billion was spent on payments to workers due to workplace injuries The gross incurred cost of employment injuries was $1,138 million. Time lost for temporary disability cases was 398,838 weeks. The most common workplace injuries were sprains and strains (64%) accounting for a cost of $565 million. Back injuries accounted for over 30% of workplace injuries and cost $270 million. (Statistical Bulletin 2000/2001, WorkCover NSW)

Why bother with OHS processes? 1. Because it saves lives 2. Because it saves money 3. Because, legally, we have to There are major fines for employers and employees who don’t follow safety standards. Penalties for Breaches of a General Duty Fines for corporations: first offence $550 000, later offences $825 000 For individuals: first offence $55 000, later offences $$82,500 or 2 years imprisonment or both! Figures assume penalty units (PU’s) = $110 Coporation: First offence- 5000 penalty units; previous 7500 pu’s Individual: 500 pu’s; 750 pu’s

It takes effort- safety won’t just happen Why bother with OHS processes? 1. Because it saves lives 2. Because it saves money 3. Because, legally, we have to 4. Because it doesn’t work unless we have a system to make it work Takes commitment by all at the the workplace for this to work- systems in place to ensure a safe, cost effective and legal system. Systematic approach ensures that all areas have been covered, ensures that records are kept and are legal. It takes effort- safety won’t just happen

Why bother with OHS processes? 1. Because it saves lives 2. Because it saves money 3. Because, legally, we have to 4. Because it doesn’t work unless we have a system to make it work

So, what does it involve?

Responsibilities of the employer The employer (the boss) has a long list of responsibilities: Provide a safe working environment - Provide proper training and information -Supply personal protective equipment and clothing -Provide amenities -Provide first aid facilities and personnel Provide a safe system of work -Identify hazards, assess the risks and eliminate or control the risks Provide supervision -Consult with employees -Provide for emergencies -Ensure OH&S committee members and representatives are trained -No victimisation or unlawfully dismiss of an employee is allowed Provide a safe working environment - Provide proper training and information -Supply personal protective equipment and clothing -Provide amenities -Provide first aid facilities and personnel Provide a safe system of work -Identify hazards, assess the risks and eliminate or control the risks Provide supervision -Consult with employees -Provide for emergencies -Ensure OH&S committee members and representatives are trained -No victimisation or unlawfully dismiss of an employee is allowed -No charge to employees for things done

Responsibilities of the employee … but the employees (the rest of us) have some responsibilities too. 10

Responsibilities of the employee … but the employees (the rest of us) have some responsibilities too. We need to: Co-operate with the employer in OHS matters EXAMPLE: if asked, we should follow reasonable instructions to clean up, move things, help with inspections etc

Responsibilities of the employee … but the employees (the rest of us) have some responsibilities too. We need to: Take reasonable care for the health and safety of people who are at the place of work EXAMPLE: Sharlene made sure that visitors kept their kids away from equipment that wasn’t safe for them, even though they weren’t there to visit her. She also makes sure that her clients aren’t bullied or hurt by other clients

Responsibilities of the employee … but the employees (the rest of us) have some responsibilities too. We need to: Notify the employer or supervisor of any risk to health and safety EXAMPLE: Sara told her boss and OHS rep when she noticed that the brakes on the bus seemed to be a bit dodgy. The boss doesn’t drive the bus very often so she was glad to be told.

Responsibilities of the employee … but the employees (the rest of us) have some responsibilities too. We need to: Not to interfere with or misuse things provided for health, safety and welfare EXAMPLE: Sharlene made sure that no-one uses the first aid kit, fire equipment or safety gear for anything it wasn’t made for.

Responsibilities of the employee … but the employees (the rest of us) have some responsibilities too. We need to: Not hinder aid to an injured worker Not to refuse help in either receiving aid or giving aid EXAMPLE: When Jason twisted his wrist playing a game with kids, he wanted to keep playing, but Khaled made sure that it was looked at by the first aid rep.

Responsibilities of the employee … but the employees (the rest of us) have some responsibilities too. We need to: Not disrupt the workplace by creating health or safety fears EXAMPLE: Dennis is worried that one of the kids he works with has a contagious disease, even though the doctor said it was ok. He doesn’t make the other workers and clients worried by telling them about it all the time.

The process 1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) Step 4, Assessing and reviewing, is not included in this dagram. Control measures should be reviewed to maintain their effectiveness and further refine the process. The Youth Officer Toolkit has sample forms for these processes

Workplace inspections Consultation 1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) We need to actively look for hazards, before they become a problem, by using: Workplace inspections Consultation Looking at injury and illness records Recording complaints Observing the workplace Undertake the risk management process: Now if you have not done it before; When a change occurs (for example, changing work procedures); After an incident or ‘near miss’ occurs; At regularly scheduled times appropriate to the level of risk at your workplace. Identifying hazards: Know what the dangers are in the workplace. Keep records of accidents and injuries Conduct safety inspections of the workplace List all plant and hazardous substances: physical eg. noise, radiation, light, vibration chemical eg. poisons, dusts biological eg. viruses, plants, parasites mechanical/electrical eg. slips, trips and falls, tools, electrical equipment psychological eg. fatigue, violence, bullying, needlestick threats, long shifts (see workbook) The Youth Officer Toolkit has sample forms for these processes

First, lets look at how much harm it could do.. 1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) Once we know the problem, we need to see how much of a problem it can be. We need to think about how much harm it could cause, and how likely it is. First, lets look at how much harm it could do..

1 2 3 4 5 6 LIKELIHOOD: How likely is it that it will occur? 1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) LIKELIHOOD: How likely is it that it will occur? CONSEQUENCES: How severely could it hurt someone? EXTREME MAJOR MOD MINOR VERY LIKELY 1 2 3 LIKELY 4 UNLIKELY 5 VERY UNLIKELY 6 Long term disabled cut finger broken leg Look at the Youth Officer Toolkit Risk Assessment Form for more detail

2. Assess risks (harm) Now we look at how likely it is to happen… 1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) 2. Assess risks (harm) Now we look at how likely it is to happen…

1 2 3 4 5 6 LIKELIHOOD: How likely is it that it will occur? 1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) LIKELIHOOD: How likely is it that it will occur? CONSEQUENCES: How severely could it hurt someone? EXTREME MAJOR MOD. MINOR VERY LIKELY 1 2 3 LIKELY 4 UNLIKELY 5 VERY UNLIKELY 6 Cut by broken glass, left on football field (click 1) how seriously could it hurt someone? (click 2) how likely is it to happen? (click 3) need to look at both in conjunction (click 4) and give a priority rating Cut by broken glass, left in garbage bin

1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) Then we can look at the two together, and give it a score out of six, like this:

1 2 3 4 5 6 paper cuts- very likely, but not very dangerous 1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) paper cuts- very likely, but not very dangerous Poison in cupboard- very unlikely, but dangerous LIKELIHOOD: How likely is it that it will occur? CONSEQUENCES: How severely could it hurt someone? EXTREME MAJOR MOD. MINOR VERY LIKELY 1 2 3 LIKELY 4 UNLIKELY 5 VERY UNLIKELY 6 (click 1) how seriously could it hurt someone? (click 2) how likely is it to happen? (click 3) need to look at both in conjunction (click 4) and give a priority rating

1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) So, looking at how thing score, we can decide if they need to be addressed straight away:

1 2 3 4 5 6 LIKELIHOOD: How likely is it that it will occur? 1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) LIKELIHOOD: How likely is it that it will occur? CONSEQUENCES: How severely could it hurt someone? EXTREME MAJOR MOD. MINOR VERY LIKELY 1 2 3 LIKELY 4 UNLIKELY 5 VERY UNLIKELY 6 1, 2 or 3...Do something about these risks immediately 4 or 5...Do something about these risks as soon as possible 6 or 7...These risks may not need immediate attention

.. Or if we can go on working, but fix them as soon as possible: 1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) .. Or if we can go on working, but fix them as soon as possible: 1, 2 or 3...Do something about these risks immediately 4 or 5...Do something about these risks as soon as possible 6 or 7...These risks may not need immediate attention

1 2 3 4 5 6 LIKELIHOOD: How likely is it that it will occur? 1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) LIKELIHOOD: How likely is it that it will occur? CONSEQUENCES: How severely could it hurt someone? EXTREME MAJOR MOD. MINOR VERY LIKELY 1 2 3 LIKELY 4 UNLIKELY 5 VERY UNLIKELY 6 1, 2 or 3...Do something about these risks immediately 4 or 5...Do something about these risks as soon as possible 6 or 7...These risks may not need immediate attention

1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) … or if we can plan to leave it a while, because it’s not very likely, and wouldn’t cause much harm anyway: 1, 2 or 3...Do something about these risks immediately 4 or 5...Do something about these risks as soon as possible 6 or 7...These risks may not need immediate attention

1 2 3 4 5 6 LIKELIHOOD: How likely is it that it will occur? 1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) LIKELIHOOD: How likely is it that it will occur? CONSEQUENCES: How severely could it hurt someone? EXTREME MAJOR MOD. MINOR VERY LIKELY 1 2 3 LIKELY 4 UNLIKELY 5 VERY UNLIKELY 6

1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) Ok, so now we’ve got a list of hazards (problems) and we know which are the most important to fix first. How do we fix them?

Think about what would be the best way to fix the safety problems. 1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) Think about what would be the best way to fix the safety problems. Employers are required to remove or fix any hazards or, if this is not “reasonably practicable”, they must lessen the risk of harm to the lowest possible level. If we think back to the example of the two council workers we can see how this works.

Don’t wait to be told to fix any problems you see. 1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) Don’t wait to be told to fix any problems you see. The boss can’t be there to tell you what to do.

1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) You need to always be looking for any health problems, and taking responsibility for fixing them.

Remember: it is your job to look out for 1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) Remember: it is your job to look out for

Remember: it is your job to look out for Safety issues that affect you 1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) Remember: it is your job to look out for Safety issues that affect you 36

Remember: it is your job to look out for Safety issues that affect you 1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) Remember: it is your job to look out for Safety issues that affect you Safety issues that affect your co workers 37

Remember: it is your job to look out for Safety issues that affect you 1. Identify hazards (problems) 2. Assess risks (harm) 3. Risk control (solutions) Remember: it is your job to look out for Safety issues that affect you Safety issues that affect your co workers Safety issues that affect the public, when they are at your workplace 38

Tips for young workers Take responsibility for your own safety Know what to look for when entering a new or different workplace Know what questions to ask about the job Report any health and safety concerns Follow all safety procedures

Ask your supervisor…. What are the dangers of my job? What are the hazards? Should I have any job safety training? Do I need any personal protective equipment? Should I be trained in how to use my PPE? Where are the first aid facilities? Who is the first aid person?

Ask your supervisor…. What do I do if I get injured? Where are the fire extinguishers? Where are the emergency exits? How will I know if there is an emergency? What should I do in an emergency? Who do go to in the workplace if I have a health or safety question?

Disclaimer This guide is an introduction to the general principles of the Occupational Health and Safety legislation. The guide is not intended to be a substitute for advice on a particular occupational health and safety issue from a qualified source. More details are available through the links in the final slide.