Hazard Management Implement and Monitor Workplace Health Safety

Hazard Management Implement and Monitor Workplace Health, Safety, Security Practices SITXOHS 004 A

Let’s begin… Start the lecture with reading the true story related to hazard in the workplace.

Hazard �Object or activity with the potential to cause injury or illness �Anything with the potential to harm life, health, or property �Present or potential danger �Visible or not visible �E. g. fire, spills, machines, plant, equipment, substances, operating methods, general workplace practices and procedures, hold ups (robbery), threats to staff or guest safety

Types of Hazard Types of hazard: �Safety hazards – can lead to injury �Health hazards – can lead to illness/disease

Hazard Classification Hazard classification: � Class A hazard – potential to cause death �Class B hazard – potential to cause illness / time off work �Class C hazard – potential to result in injury / 1 st aid

Risk �Probability and consequence of an injury or illness occurring resulting from a hazard �Likelihood of an injury or illness resulting from a hazard �Severity of that injury or illness Please have a look at a diagram illustrating the difference b/w hazard and risk.

Risk Management OHS Management Steps/Stages (HIRARC): Risk Management �Hazard Identification (HI) �Risk Assessment (RA) �Risk Control (RC)

Hazard Identification �Hazards might be identified by: Workplace inspections or safety audits Workplace consultation Checking accidents/injury/near misses reports Checking information on chemicals Consulting suppliers/industry sources Seeking advice from OHS consultants and organizations Conducting health surveys

Risk Assessment �Assess the risk involved from exposure to hazard by: Checking facts, records, publications (how the hazard should be dealt with and its risk level) Consulting employees and experts Observing workplace and employees (inspections, health surveys) �Risk assessment needs to consider both the likelihood and the severity of injury/illness � Risk from hazards must be assessed before changes are made to any workplace, work process, chemicals, materials

Risk Control: Control Measures Hierarchy of risk control (EEAP) �Elimination of hazard or risk – 1 st priority = remove the hazard Minimization/reducing of the hazard or risk by: �Engineering solutions �Administrative control �Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Elimination �Elimination of hazard or risk �First priority �The most effective way how to manage risks and hazards by removing the risks and hazards completely

Engineering Solutions �Minimize risks by Engineering solutions via: Substitution - changing for less hazardous, safer alternative Isolation/enclosure – guarding the hazard, specialized chemical store, warning signals/signs Re-design – changing the design, layout, better lighting, better ventilation

Administrative Control �Minimize risks by Administrative control �Introduction of work practices (changes in the procedure) to reduce exposure / reduce the risk by: ▪ Job Rotation ▪ Shift changes ▪ Housekeeping procedures ▪ Maintenance schedules ▪ Provide information, instruction, training and supervision (IITS)

Task Supervision Steps – IITS � Inform – about the risk involved with exposure to hazard by: Meetings Guest speakers Induction sessions Brochures and pamphlets � Instruct – about the risk control steps to follow incl. SOP – Safe Operating Procedures � Train – practical demonstration by trainer, trainee attempting steps and becoming competent � Supervise – determine the readiness of the employee to perform SOP by drilling and questioning of the employee, reviewing their performance from time to time

Personal Protective Equipment � Minimize risks by use of Personal protective equipment (PPE) � Use should be limited and considered only as a temporary solution – short-term emergency measure � Last line defence � Examples: Ear plugs Ear muffs Uniforms and aprons Safety shoes, helmets, glasses Gloves Hair-nets

Book… Please have a look at a diagram illustrating the hierarchy of risk control steps.

Problems with Control Measures Problems with control measures �Poor communication �Poor training �Poor understanding of OHSS rights and responsibilities �Lack of appropriate maintenance �Lack of action with potential hazards �Old equipment �Outdated procedures etc.

OHSS Staff Training �Vital to ensure a safe workplace Training issues �Cost of training resources and trainers �Cost of employee wages during training �Finding suitable external training resources �Low commitment from management �Lack of commitment from staff

OHSS Staff Training Needs �OHS policy and procedure induction training �Coaching or mentoring in safe work practices �Formal training programs in safe work practices �Provision of information, fact sheets and signage to ensure safe work practices �OHS representative or committee training �Hazard identification and risk assessment and control training

Workplace Hazards: �Manual handling �Noise �Hazardous substances

Manual Handling � Any activity requiring the force of a person to lift, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold, restrain any person, animal or thing. Lifting Lowering Pushing Pulling Carrying Holding Using tools or machinery

Manual Handling Injuries �Manual handling is the most common cause of workplace injuries �Back injuries - most of them (concentration on preventing back pain and injury) �Cuts �Bruises �Sprains �Strains to other parts of the body

Manual Handling Regulations and Codes of Practice �Australian National Standard and Code of Practice on Manual Handling Main aim is to: �Prevent occurrence of injury �Reduce the severity of injuries �Require employees to assess and control risks �Provide framework to be implemented in the workplace

Manual Handling Regulations and Codes of Practice �HOWEVER specify some conditions of work that employers MUST MEET. �To ensure that plant, equipment, containers are safe �To ensure work practices are safe �To undertake risk assessment �To control risks through redesign and training; if not possible = feasible => mechanical aids/PPE, and/or arrange for team lifting and training

Identification and Assessment of Manual Handling Hazard & Risks Risk Assessment - Factors to be taken into account: �Posture �Workplace layout �Frequency of the task

Manual Handling Risk Control �Redesign / modifying the object, workplace, work practices �Training �Mechanical aids (trolleys, dumbwaiters, rollers, height adjustable pallets) �Implementing team lifting to share the load �Undertaking information, instruction, training and supervision

Checklist as per Manual Handling Code Of Practice (COP) IITS (information, instruction, training and supervision) �Check load and destination �Seek ideal position �Keep back straight �Get good grip => Have it on display for visual demonstration

Noise �Any unwanted, or damaging sound in the environment. Types of noise: �Continuous �Intermittent �Both can damage hearing Hearing is used as both: �A communication system �A warning system

Noise Effect of noise: �Blocking of speech or warning systems �Affecting concentration �Limiting learning �Temporary damage of hearing �Permanent damage of hearing

Noise Effect of ongoing noise: � Constant state of alarm, fight or flight reaction that might lead to: Increased blood pressure Increased heart rate Increased muscular tension � Over the time this results in: Impaired alertness Disturbed sleep Annoyance

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) � Permanent disability � The most common industrial disease � The most preventable of occupational diseases � Leads to social isolation => brings considerable social handicap � Once your hearing is destroyed, the ability of the ear to transfer the waves into a from that can be carried to the � Hearing loss: Occurs first due to high frequency (>1000 Hz) Develops with ageing

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) Causes of NIHL: � Degree of loudness �Length of exposure �Individual susceptibility (predisposition; condition of being easily affected or influenced)

Risk Assessment � Involves measuring sound levels = intensity in decibels (d. B) � Daily Noise Dose (DND) – in d. BA measures both: Noise level (intensity) Length of exposure (frequency) � Pressure to lower the present ‘safe’ limit of 90 d. BA to 85 d. BA � Unions’ aim is 80 d. BA � 90 d. BA will deafen 40% of workers if exposed for their entire life � 80 d. BA will deafen 26% of workers if exposed for their entire life � 85 d. BA assumes an 8 -hour day and 40 hours per week exposure � However at 88 d. BA a level with maximum of only 20 hours per week is recommended

Please have a look at the diagram (figure 7) illustrating decibels associated with familiar noise situations.

Risk Control �Stop the noise �Isolate the noisy equipment or area (soundproof enclosure) �Insulate (rubber mat under the fridge, acoustic tiles, soft furnishings) �Administrative controls (job rotation, operate machinery at night) �As a last resort, PPE can be used as a short-term temporary measure (earmuffs, ear plugs) Please have a look at the figure 11 illustrating this PPE.

Hazardous Substances �Any chemical affecting health and/or safety. Forms of hazardous substances: �Solid �Liquid �Gas

Dangerous Good �A chemical with an immediate risk to safety (explosives, poisons) �Is subject to the Dangerous Goods Act

Hazardous Substances Contact with a hazardous substance by: �Absorption through skin contact - touch �Inhalation – breath in �Ingestion – eat/drink

Hazardous Substances The effect of exposure to a hazardous substance on a person depends on: �Personal sensitivity �Toxicity of the hazardous substance – acute/short term, chronic/long-term effect �Dose they receive – how much, how long, how often

Sources of Information: �Labels �Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) �Hazardous Substances Register (HSR)

Sources of Information - Labels �Labels – describe contents Degree and type of risk Safety and emergency procedures First aid treatment Dangerous goods ‘diamond’ or ‘poison’ label where appropriate

Sources of Information - MSDS �Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) – contain greater details than labels Product identification and ingredients Health hazard information User precautions Safe handling information Manufacturer / distributor information and contact details Date of issue

Sources of Information - MSDS � It is a law requirement that an employer must obtain a MSDS before the first supply of a hazardous substance and ensure all persons exposed to this hazardous substance have access to MSDS � Each MSDS is: Kept near the hazardous substance container for use by: ▪ Operative, supervisor, H&S representative, OHS Committee, First Aid Officer, Fire Warden Supplied on request by supplier or manufacturer Critical for IITS training Listed on a Hazardous Substance Register

Sources of Information - HSR �Hazardous Substances Register (HSR) List of all hazardous substances used in the workplace Their location Whether MSDS has been received and when Contains copies of MSDS

Sources of Information - HSR �It is a law requirement that an employer must ensure a register is kept and maintained for all hazardous substances used at the workplace �Access to HSR should be given to: Employees Emergency services Government authorities �It is a law requirement that the use of hazardous substances in the workplace must be reviewed at least every 5 years

Risk Control � Eliminate use of hazardous substance wherever it is possible � Substitute hazardous substance for less hazardous (‘buy safe’) � Isolate the hazardous substance by use of distance or barriers � Purchase pre-mixed or diluted hazardous substances � Installation of ventilation or exhaust systems � Informing, instructing, training and supervising (IITS) and SOPs � Using PPE (masks, gloves, safety goggles, safety shoes)

End of presentation Do you have any questions? Thank you for your attention