1. WORK PLACEMENT ORIENTATION PROGRAM

2. INTRODUCTION
The benefits of work experience and structured workplace learning (SWL)
What is a workplace?
Why is the workplace orientation program important?

3. WORK-RELATED INJURY & ILLNESS
Examples of work-related injury and illness
Statistics
Costs of work-related injury

4. SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT
A safe working environment is a workplace that is free of hazards and risks to the people working there.
How can you be safer at work?
Your duty of care in the workplace

5. THE LAWS Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986
Essentially the safety law
The chief objectives of the act are to secure the health, safety and welfare of persons at work, to eliminate hazards, to protect the public and to involve employees and employers in issues affecting OHS&W

6. THE LAWS Equal Opportunity Act 1984
This Act makes it unlawful to discriminate against people in the workplace, it is unlawful to be treated unfairly on the grounds of:
Age
Sex
Marital status
Pregnancy
Sexuality
Impairment – physical or intellectual
Race

7. THE LAWS Children’s Protection Act 1993
This act provides for the care and protection of children
Four types of abuse recognised by the act are:
Emotional abuse
Neglect
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse

8. EMPLOYER & EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
Employer responsibilities include providing:
A safe work environment
Safe systems of work
Information, instruction and training
Supervision
Personal protective equipment when required
Plant, equipment and substances in a safe condition
Freedom from – discrimination, harassment, bullying and violence

9. EMPLOYER & EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervisors responsibilities include:
OHSW policies and procedures
Training and instruction
Responding promptly to OHSW issues when raised
Maintenance

10. EMPLOYER & EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
As an employee, when starting a new job you are entitled to:
An induction into the workplace
Information about first aid facilities and emergency exits
An introduction to staff you can approach about OHSW
Information about where necessary forms are available and who to give them to
Information and training on the work to be done
Information about relevant hazards in the workplace
Training on how to operate equipment and machinery safety (prior to using it!)
The appropriate level of supervision

11. EMPLOYER & EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
As an employee you have legal responsibility for OHSW in the workplace too, you must:
Follow reasonable instructions
Follow all safe operating procedures (SOPs) and safe working procedures (SWPs)
Work safely and wear protective equipment when it’s required
Report accidents and near misses
Made sure you are not affected by drugs or alcohol
Do not discriminate, harass or bully workmates
Treat workplace information as confidential

12. WORKPLACE HAZARDS What is a workplace hazard? Types of hazards
Physical
Biological/health
Ergonomic
Psychological
Hazardous substances
Hazard management

13. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Clothing, equipment or substance designed to protect you from hazards in the workplace.
Some examples:
Goggles, glasses and face shields
Masks
Ear muffs, ear plugs
Gloves
Steel cap boots
Safety helmet, hair nets, sun hats
Aprons, lab coats

14. SAFETY SIGNS
Signs are used in the workplace to cover all types of foreseeable risks.
4 basic colours:
CAUTION
PROHIBITION
MANDATORY
EMERGENCY

15. MANUAL HANDLING
“Any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any person, animal or thing.”
Manual handling is a major activity of all workplaces.
The right way !!!!

16. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
It is important that all employees know what to do if an emergency situation arises.
Some examples include: fire, gas leak, chemical spill, bomb threat, robbery or violent incident.

17. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Make sure you know the location of:
The nearest emergency exits and emergency evacuation plan
Emergency equipment relevant to your work and the nearest fire extinguisher (and how to use it)
The nearest first aid officer and first aid kit
Any isolating switches and gas taps relevant to your work area

18. DISCRIMINATION
Discrimination means noting the difference or making a distinction in favour or against a person or thing.
All workplaces should be free of discrimination and harassment.
Under the Equal Opportunity Act it is unlawful for anyone to be treated unfairly because of:
Age
Sex
Race
Disability, or a past disability or presumed disability
Sexuality, or presumed sexuality
Marital status
Pregnancy

19. HARASSMENT
The following types of harassment are all unlawful under the Equal Opportunity Act:
Sexual Harassment
Racial Harassment
Bullying
Religious Harassment
Stalking

20. HARASSMENT
Harassment is when hurtful or upsetting things are repeatedly said or done to people, including:
Bullying, teasing or peer abuse
Can be physical, threats and violence
Verbal abuse and put downs
Damaging property, stealing and hiding your property
Exclusion, spreading stories and not speaking to someone
SMS and mobile phone calls and
Stalking someone

21. HARASSMENT
If you experience any form of harassment during work placement notify your supervisor or their supervisor immediately, then contact your work experience coordinator and tell your parents.

22. INSURANCE
You are covered for personal accident insurance by the school – only if you have completed fully the Workplace Learning Agreement Form.

23. CONFIDENTIALITY Confidentiality is about privacy
Essentially what you see and hear at work stays at work.
A breach of confidentiality may affect a business’s reputation and cause financial loss.
Legal action could be taken.

24. EXPECTATIONS You are expected to: Be punctual Be committed
Be interested
Have a good attendance record
Dress appropriately
Work safely
Be responsible
Behave

25. WHAT EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR
Undertaking work placement is an excellent opportunity for you to make contacts with potential employers.
The single most important quality that employers look for is a good attitude.
Other qualities include:
Enthusiasm and motivation
Self management
Good people skills
Personal presentation
Trustworthiness
Integrity