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