Manage Workplace OHS Management Systems Diploma of Children’s Services CHCOHS501A Manage Workplace OHS Management Systems Element 2 Julie Carmel Hazards in the Workplace

What are workplace Hazards? A hazard is any source that puts a person at risk and has the potential to harm life, health, property or the environment. Risk is the chance of something harmful occurring,that is,the likelihood that harm will occur as a result of a hazard.

For a hazard to be come a risk, a worker must be exposed to the hazard and the hazard might cause harm.

Physical Hazards; Chemical Hazards Ergonomic Hazards Radiation hazards Types of Hazard in Early Childhood Physical Hazards; Noise Electrical Heat or cold Dust Fire Working space Chemical Hazards Gases Liquids fumes Ergonomic Hazards Tool and equipment design Workstation design Task design Radiation hazards X-rays, microwave Ultraviolet or infrared radiation

Psychological Hazards; Shift work Workload Harassment Discrimination Bullying Poor management practices Inadequate organisational systems Inadequate resources Unrealistic work loads Biological Hazards bacterial Viral Fungal infections

Workplace hazards should be subject to:- Environmental Temperature Lighting Sunlight Workplace layout Chemicals Workplace hazards should be subject to:- identification Assessment Evaluation Control Monitoring and review

These costs are made up of staff rehabilitation, retraining It is estimated that the national cost fro workers compensation is in excess of $9.6 billion a year and increasing These costs are made up of staff rehabilitation, retraining and replacement of equipment, medical expenses Welfare and insurance, lost production and more There are penalties for unsafe work practices that are set By each individual state under their OHS legislation

Victorian Acts and Legislation The main governing act in Victoria is the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 This tells employers and employees their obligations under the law.

Expected outcomes of identified hazards. Catastrophic……Fatality Major….. Hospitalisation, loss of limb etc Moderate……5+ days off work,loss of function to body part, modified duties Minor….first aid treatment required, normal duties Insignificant….minor first aid required, no loss, near miss.

Assessing potential of hazard Once a hazard rating has been determined, the likelihood of the event actually occurring must also be assessed.

Level Descriptor Description 5 4 3 2 1 Almost certain Is expected to occur in many circumstances 4 Likely Will probably happen 3 Possible Might occur at some time 2 Unlikely Could occur at some time 1 Rare Might occur in exceptional circumstances For each rating ask: What is the likelihood of the hazard resulting in a harmful incident?

Reasonable Standard of Care The way in which a person should act to make sure they do not breach their duty of care. A person must act, as a reasonable person would have done in the same circumstances. The court determines what is reasonable by looking at; The risk of harm occurring The possible seriousness of the harm The burden (difficulty) of removing or reducing the risk The usefulness of the activity Meaning that if there is a big chance that someone could be seriously injured, a reasonable person would certainly do something to reduce this risk to meet their standard of care

Assessing Severity Factors affecting severity include: The number of people who might be affected in incident Special characteristics of the person involved Concentrations of hazards etc Volumes of materials Speed of projectiles and moving parts Heights and distances Weights Forces and energy values.

Environmental impact Factors affecting severity include: Size of the environmental release Affected area Concentration of materials Containment Degree of difficulty to clean up Number of persons affected

It is important to assess the potential risk is the hazard:- Risk assessment. It is important to assess the potential risk is the hazard:- Low risk..acceptable Moderate risk..indicates conditional acceptability, measures must be in place to rectify High risk.. Indicates unacceptable level of risk. Controls and measures must be developed and implemented in the short to medium term Extreme risk..unacceptable level of risk. Controls and measures must be put in place immediately to eliminate risk.

Reporting hazards All Hazards need to be reported and recorded. You should report and record:- Obvious hazards Potential hazards Safety suggestions Incidents Near misses Corrective action taken

Policies and Procedures All centres have their own policies and procedures for recording OHS issues and these must be followed, however you cannot be compelled to break any laws in the undertaking of reporting and following OHS in the workplace.

Hazard Register Is determined by a hierarchy of control which priorities preferred options for implementing possible solutions and controls. Hierarchy of Controls priorities are: Elimination Substitution Engineering (making) Administration Personal Protective Equipment.

Employees responsibility Although the employer has a duty of care to employees, employees also have an obligation to reasonable care for their own health and safety and the safety of their co-workers. Employees should undertake to maintain OHS at all times in the workplace and not take “shortcuts” that may put themselves or their colleagues in danger. As part of the OHS (2004) Regulations employees are expected to cooperate with their employer, and when they do they have met their obligations under the act.

Representation Under the OHS act (2004) each workplace should have an OHS representative whose job it is to see to it that the OHS act is being upheld at all times. The OHS representative should be an independent person and not the employer. It is the job of the OHS rep to undertake regular safety audits and report any findings to the employer to be rectified.

In conclusion It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that workplaces are safe for everyone. Employers and employees both have a responsibility to ensure that everyone makes it home uninjured and alive each night.