Week 6: Workplace Good Housekeeping, Other Issues and Managing Stress memories

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
Work areas should always be cleaned and maintained.
Cleaning requires to be orderly and organized with tools to use for clean up purposes such as

• Brooms and brushes
• Mops and buckets
• Detergents and other cleaning solutions

CLEANING HAZARDS

Keep equipment maintained and isolated before cleaning and take special care to:

• Keep area free from clutter
• No electrical equipment is faulty or unsafe
• Understand hazardous substances used in cleaning
• Distribute hazardous substances during cleaning
• Do not work in confined spaces
• Disregard any sharpe objects
• Move loose rubbish to one place for easy transfer to bin
• Dispose of rubbish appropriately with good environmental practises
• Store hazardous substances away securely

Cleaning a Workplace Hazard

NOISE

Exposure to constant high noise levels risking hearing loss to workers.
Noise levels  must be no higher than 85 decibels over an eight hour working day but in a manufacturing environment never higher than 140 decibels at any time.
SAFETY NOISE MEASURES

• Use hearing protection provided
• Minimise how long exposure to noise is
• Use bins,racks,pallets
• Report defects to equipment for noise control

SECURITY

Employers responsibility to protect employees while they are in the workplace from physical or psychological harm
Security arrangements must be put in place such as:

• Protective gates or barriers with time safety delay
• More than two trained security staff on hand at one time
• Electronic equipment such as sound senors and surveillance cameras 
• Training programs for staff and employees on site involving workplace security safety procedures

Security Cameras on site

THREATS,VIOLENCE and BULLYING


Employers must be aware of workplace threats,violence or bullying and are held accountable for any incidents or accidents proven to have taken place in the workplace.
Employers must enforce no tolerance of the abuse of power by unreasonable or aggressive personal behaviour directed at individuals in the workplace.
All psychological and physical well being is protected by OH&S Laws.

THE DAMAGE THAT COULD BE DONE

• Loss of productivity by victims
• Financial costs to employee and employer
• Victimisation of individuals
• Undermining behaviour towards victims
• Unnecessary criticisms
• Violent and threatening behaviour towards individuals

Workplace bullying is demoralizing and  not tolerated

SEXUAL HARASSMENT
What is sexual harassment,it is uninvited and unwanted sexual behaviour directed towards a person.
This is covered by the OH&S Laws that employers must protect employees and not tolerate such behaviour in the workplace.
Any form of sexual harassment must be reported immediately to management.
SOME FORMS OF WORKPLACE SEXUAL HARASSMENT

• Unwanted advances or touching
• Unwanted repeated invitations
• Suggestive comments
• Offensive notes or pictures sent to emails or telephone calls
• Harassment of a sexual nature aimed towards an individual 

Sexual harassment in the workplace is wrong just report it to management

RACIAL ABUSE
It is illegal for jokes to be spread about race in the workplace and it is against the Racial Discrimination Act of 1975.
The employer must protect employees from any ethnic backgrounds in the workplace or be held accountable for allowing such behaviour to exist.
Codes of behaviour should be employed through training of standards expected in the workplace.
Individuals should know their rights and report racism to the OH&S representative in the workplace.

Racial discrimination at work is not tolerated

MANAGING STRESS
Individuals are working longer hours and not having enough time to enjoy and relax themselves.
Managing stress is important it could lead to many health problems down the track
Stress could occur through workplace problems such as bullying,conflict with management,poor training and lack of positive feedback.

THINGS TO IMPROVE STRESS LEVELS

• Strike a happy work life balance and take some time off
• Work smarter and plan ahead by creating a to do list
• Focus and be clear about what you are doing
• Be tidy and organised
• Eat healthy
• Get enough sleep
• Exercise
• Be yourself and be happy

Week 5: Symbols for dangerous goods memories

DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES

Dangerous substances are classified as dangerous goods with  specifically DIAMOND shaped labels

DIAMOND SIGNS 

• Shows nine classes of dangerous goods
• The diamond sign has a distinctive symbol and colour
• Some labels show the Packaging Group (PG) and degree of danger
• PG1-great danger
• PG11-medium danger
• PG111-minor danger

Diamond Signs on packaging identifying substance

NINE CLASSES OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES

CLASS 1-EXPLOSIVES (fireworks and cartridges with other explosive substances)

CLASS 2-GASES (flammable gases,non-flammable gases and toxic gases)

CLASS 3-FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS- (with flash points less than 23 degrees Celsius or more)

CLASS 4-FLAMMABLE SOLIDS- (easily ignited and combustible substances)

CLASS5- OXIDIZERS- (oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxides or organic peroxides such as ketone peroxide and others)

CLASS 6- (TOXIC and INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCES- (causes death by swallowing or absorbed through the skin includes viruses containing micro-organisms passing onto humans and animals)

CLASS 7- RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES- (emit ionising radiation such as used in radioisotopes in medicine)

CLASS 8- CORROSIVES- (solids or liquids which damage living tissue,good or equipment that comes in contact with it)

CLASS 9- MISCELLANEOUS DANGEROUS GOODS- (potentially dangerous items with properties that are relatively minor)

9 Class Symbols of Dangerous Substances

BULK HANDLING

Vessels and pipes which contain hazardous substances must be labelled to identify the risks as well as the colour coding system described in the Australian Standard AS 1345.

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS)

MSDS are documents prepared by the manufacturer of the product used in the workplace regarding material safety information.

These sheets tell you:

• Manufactures or suppliers details
• Identification of product
• Use of  product
• Physical description and product properties
• Ingredients of the product
• Health effects or product hazard
• Precautions to be taken during use of the product
• Safe handling and storage information for the product
• And other information (contact person details for more information)

Week 4:Manual Handling memories

                       Understanding Manual Handling

Manual handling is an activity involing any :

1. Lifting
2. Lowering                                              
3. Pushing                                                         
4. Pulling
5. Carrying
6. Moving
7. Holding
8. Restraining
9. Stretching
10. Bending

This is WRONG lifting

             

This is CORRECT lifting

Injuries that arise from inappropriate movement or repetitive actions:

1. Musculoskeletal disorders or MSD
2. Wrist and hand injuries
3. Any other body injuries from bad handling techniques

Safe manual handling practises involve the national code of standard for manual handling and code of practise.
Training must be provided by employer for all employee who are involved in manual handling tasks.
The employer must provide any manuals or documentation to go along with training procedures.



Employees must follow a documented procedure when assessing to move a load and examine if the load:

1. Must the load be moved.
2. Can the load be moved.
3. Can the load be moved mechanically
4. Must it be lifted.
5. Can the load be reduced.
6. Can help be provided to assisst in lifting.
7. Is the load to heavy to lift safely.
8. What steps can be taken to reduce the risk of injury for the task.

Three Steps to Identify, Solve Manual Handling Problems.

1. Risk Identification-       Can task be broken into tasks
2. Risk Assesment-         Identify risk and give detailed information
3. Risk Control-              Employers must remove or reduce problem from the workplace

Consultation Between Employers and employees of any risks involved in workplace and suggest improvements.

DOCUMENT THE PROCESS

WHO was involved in assessing manual handling risks

WHAT was done see training sheets

WHEN each step was completed

Week 3: Fire and Safety Memories



Fire Warning Sign

 Fire Safety and Emergencies                                                       
 An understanding of typical fire classifications

Looking into SIX classes of fires

1. CLASS A: Common Combustibles
2. CLASS B: Flammable Liquids
3. CLASS C: Gases 
4. CLASS D: Combustible Chemicals and Metals
5. CLASS E:  Electrical 
6. CLASS F:  Cooking Oil or Fat  

Commbustibles involving different fires and fire extiguisher types for each fire class.

1. Class A: Are fires that use either paper,wood, textiles or plastics while burning.Water is best to fight these fires. 
2. Class B: Are  use flammable products such as oil,petrol,kerosene,alcohol,paints and paint thinners or solvents.Foam or H2O extinguishers are use for these fires.
3. Class C: Are fires involving gases such as LPG,butane,acetylene,hydrogen, natural gas or methane.Dry chemicals or vaporising liquid extinguishers are used.
4. Class D:   Are fires involving chemicals/metals such as potassium,sodium,lithium,aluminium or magnesium.These fires need dry chemical extinguishers to put them out.
5. Class E:  Are fires involving electricity/electrical equipment like motor,generators,computers.lights,plugs or switches and cables use dry chemical CO2 or vaporising extinguishers.
6. Class F: Are fires fulled by cooking oil or fat use wet or dry chemical or CO2 extinguishers for this type of fire.

  Important to remember evacuation and security procedures to follow any of these classes of fires.

    

Week 2: Work Place Hazards & Safety Signs Memories

Workplace Hazards   
                                                       
A lesson on the seven different  types of hazards and examples linked to  them.
SEVEN  workplace hazards                                                            
                                                                                     Typical Falling Hazard
                                                                                Poorly maintained equipment

• Physical
• Chemical
• Biological
• Psychological Problems
• Mechanical/Electrical
• Ergonomic
• Radiation

Some examples of physical workplace hazards

• Incorrect lifting,untidy work area,spills on floors, poor ligthing.temporary electrical wiring.

Some examples of chemical workplace hazards

• Photocopier toner,dust,mites(air conditioner-air contaminates),mould,smoking

Some examples of biological workplace hazards

• Air contaminates,infections(coughing,sneezing)

Some examples of psychological workplace hazards

• Public abuse,long work hours,no positive feedback,poor work conditions,bullying,conflicts,arguments

Some examples of mechanical/electrical workplace hazards

• Broken unsafe equipment(paper shredders, cutters, electrical drills and saws),incorrectly using equipment,lack of training to use equipment correctly,poorly maintained equipment(photocopier),overloading electrical power boards

Some examples of ergonomics workplace hazards

• Poorly designed furniture(chairs,tables etc) or equipment(visual glare from computers,monitors),visual or reptative work

Some examples of radiation workplace hazards

• Ultraviolet light from equipment (photocopiers)

Workplace Ergonomics

Safety Signs and Category Colours
Safety signs and colors are useful tools to help protect the health and safety of employees and workplace by drawing attention to any obvious hazards and remind general information and directions.
These signs reminding employees to use:

• Protective equipment 
• Where emergency equipment is located 
• Prohibitions to certain actions
• Emergency exits

COLOURS                            SHAPES                         CATEGORIES

Red and Blue                         Circular                              Prohibition
Blue                                       Circular                              Mandatory Action
Yellow                                   Triangular                           Caution
Green & Red                         Square or Rectangle             Emergency


                               
             

                                                               

Week 1:OH & S and work safety agencies memories

                          O H & S                                                         The big books of OH & S
                                                                                                                  legislation

My first class started with looking at the rules and the basic understanding of OH & S legislation.
The responsibliites from employers and from employees and penalties for both parties could incurr.

• Looked into the New South Wales Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 (OHS Act)
• Identified hazards and associated risks.
• How to correct any potential accidents in the workplace.

Understanding Safe Work Australia has the responsibility of improving work health and safety and worker compensation.



Understanding Work cover NSW offers service to help improve health and safety at work by:

• Workplace inspections
• Advice on training
• Expert scientific and technical assistance