Identify OHS hazards and implement risk assessment

SummaryIntroduction 2Potential sources of hazards in the workplace 2Risk 2Hazard identification 3Hazard assessment 5Risk assessment and management 7Your OHS responsibilities as an employee 9Hazard checklists 10Continuous improvement 12Summary 13Feedback to Activities 14

Some useful websites:

Australasian Legal Information Institute: www.austlii.edu.au/

WebLaw: www.weblaw.edu.au/

NZ Department of Labour: www.osh.dol.govt.nz/

WorkCover NSW: www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/OH&S/ManagingSafetyRisks

Office of Hearing Services: www.healthconnect.gov.au/

Australian Safety and Compensation Council: www.ascc.gov.au/

Office hazards at Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives: www.sahw.co.uk/main-section/office_hazards/flash/.

WorkSafe Victoria: www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/WorkSafe/Home/

Identify OHS hazards and implement risk assessment 1© NSW DET 2007

IntroductionThe NSW Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 defines ‘hazard’ as:

anything (including work practices or procedures) that has the potential to harm the health or safety of a person

(Source: NSW Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001, Clause 3, Chapter 1: Preliminary, p28).

Thus, a hazard is a source or situation with the potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill health, damage to property, the environment or a combination of these.

Potential sources of hazards in the workplaceWorkplace hazards can include things such as machinery or dangerous chemicals.

Workplace hazards can also be work processes—that which relates to the way work is done. For instance, hazards on a production line might include manual handling, excessive noise and fatigue caused by the pace of work.

RiskA risk arises when it’s possible that a hazard will actually cause harm. The level of risk will depend on factors such as:

how often the job is done

the number of workers involved

how serious any injuries that result could be.

Managing risk

With regard to risk management, the procedure to be followed is:

1 Identify the hazards

2 Assess the risks

3 Control the risks.

2 Identify OHS hazards and implement risk assessment© NSW DET 2007

Hazard identification Many illnesses and injuries can be caused by hazards that you are not aware of, things you haven’t thought might happen. Deaths, permanent disabilities and serious injuries are rare, but they do happen. We need to do whatever we can to find the more unlikely sorts of hazards that might cause them. Ask yourself questions that begin with ‘What if …?’

When looking for hazards you should consider issues such as those listed below.

How suitable are the things you use for the task? How well are they located?

How are people using equipment and materials?

How are people affected or hurt by:

– noise– fumes– lighting– equipment, machinery or tools– chemicals and other materials?

Depending on your role in a hearing clinic and your training, there may be varying expectations from your employer with regard to your skill level and your scope of practice. However, concerning OHS practices, there are mandatory and definite expectations regarding a basic level of common sense and correct behaviour in any work environment.

For example, it is important to tidy equipment leads after we complete a hearing test. That is, we identify that trailing headphone leads may cause someone to trip and fall. We make an assessment and control the potential for an accident by routinely storing leads safely.

Whatever your role is in your workplace—even if you are not in a senior or management role—it is still your responsibility to identify, assess and control workplace hazards.

Reference: www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/OH&S/ManagingSafetyRisks

Identify OHS hazards and implement risk assessment 3© NSW DET 2007

Activity 1: Identify workplace hazards

Examine the drawing below and then answer the questions that follow.

Figure 1: Potential hazards in the waiting room of a clinic

1 There are a number of potential sources of hazards in the scene depicted above. For each potential hazard listed in the table below, explain how that potential hazard could be reduced. (Look carefully — some of the potential hazards may not be immediately apparent, particularly if you’re looking at a print-out of the illustration.)

Potential hazard in workplace Ways to minimise hazard

Magazine table has sharp corners.

Toy box is overflowing.

Toddler is playing in path between door and counter.

Toys with small pieces are scattered on the floor.

The power lead to the water cooler is frayed and trailing across the floor from a power point.

There is frayed carpet near the door.

Elderly client is sitting on a rickety chair.

Feedback is provided at the end of the document.

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Hazard assessmentIf you find a hazard you must judge how dangerous it is. Ask yourself how seriously someone could be affected and how likely this is to happen. This is called ‘risk assessment’.

It is everyone’s responsibility to keep work areas clear of rubbish and to always ensure that exits are easily accessible.

View an interactive program on office hazards at the website of the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives: www.sahw.co.uk/main-section/office_hazards/flash/.

Observe the hazards that are evident in the reception area.

Four hazards can be identified in the reception area.

security

smoking

staff welfare

workstation.

If you are already working, reflect on ways in which employees are provided with support and guidance on how to identify and minimise office hazards.

Activity 2

Answer the questions below.

1 List three problems that could occur when using the computer for long periods of time.

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2 How can we ensure that long-term computer use is more comfortable and less hazardous? List four ways.

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Feedback is provided at the end of the document.

Visit the WorkSafe Victoria website and access their resource Officewise: A guide to health and safety in the office. This publication was developed by the Ergonomics Unit – WorkSafe Victoria in 2006 for a comprehensive overview of office health and safety, including exercises for office workers.

www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/WorkSafe/Home/

(Go to ‘Forms and publications’ and search using the keyword ‘Officewise’.)

When you have looked at the Officewise, answer the questions in the activity below.

Activity 3

This activity is based on the publication Officewise.

1 Observe and note the measures that are taken to promote a safe environment and reduce potential hazards in the place in which you are currently working. Record as much information as you can.

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3 Note the existence of potential hazards that need to be brought to the attention of your manager (or the OHS committee, if your workplace has one).

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If you are already in the workforce, revisit the notes you’ve taken (above) and reflect on how they would apply in your workplace. (Feedback is not provided at the end of this document.)

Risk assessment and managementA safe workplace doesn’t happen by chance or guesswork. A systematic approach is needed to find and fix hazards and risks.

This approach ensures the highest level of protection is in place for people at work. It begins with consulting staff on any potential health and safety issues.

Typically, a systematic approach follows four steps:

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1 Find hazards in the workplace that could hurt people.

2 Figure out (assess) how people can be hurt and the likelihood of the hazards hurting people (the level of risk).

3 Fix the problems by deciding on the most effective risk controls that are reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

4 Review your risk controls and checking that they work.

Risk assessment is necessary to prevent accidents and to maintain workplace safety. Assessing for risks is not something that we do automatically. However we need to make a conscious effort to assess for risks.

Activity 4: Hazards with booths

Sound treated booths are usually used for testing hearing. These special small rooms within a room usually have a step. Inside the booth will be headphones and a client response button, both with long leads plugged into the wall of the booth.

1 What do you think the hazards are in testing someone in a sound booth?

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2 Consider the clients that would go to a hearing clinic. How likely is it that a person could be hurt?

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4 Discuss how you would control the risks in the situation above.

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Feedback is provided at the end of this document.

Your OHS responsibilities as an employeeAll employees are obliged to report any hazard (anything with the potential to cause harm) by using the accepted protocol for that workplace. There will be a particular form to be completed that is then passed on to management. That form is then to be retained and acted upon as a record of risk management processes within the area. The enquiry will be passed on to the OHS committee who will recommend appropriate action.

If an employee feels that hazards are not dealt with appropriately and adequately through available channels in the workplace, the matter can be reported for further investigation (eg in NSW, you would report it to WorkCover).

Activity 5: Reporting hazards

Answer the questions below.

1 Describe a hazard that needs attention in your workplace (or a potential hazard if there aren’t any).

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2 Outline the potential it has for harm and your suggestions for correcting the problem.

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For this activity, feedback is not provided.

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Hazard checklists In your industry you may find hazard checklists to be completed regarding particular tasks to be undertaken. You may be required to:

systematically identify any hazards related to a particular job

check that all possible measures have been taken that will ensure safety before proceeding

carry out hazard checklists in a particular area of your workplace at certain intervals.

The WorkCover NSW publication !Hazpak: Making your workplace safer provides apractical guide to basic risk management.

!Hazpak can be downloaded from:

www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/Publications/OHS/RiskManagement/Hazpak.htm

!Hazpak uses a matrix to assist in risk assessment. The numbers reflect the importance of each hazard.

In the following table, ranking 1 is the highest priority, and these hazards need to be addressed immediately. Ranking 6 is lowest priority and do not need immediate attention, but must be addressed later.

How severely could it hurt or how ill could it make someone?

How likely is it to happen?

Very likely

Could happen any time

Likely

Could happen sometime

Unlikely

Could happen, but rarely

Very unlikely

Could happen but probably never will

Kill or cause permanent disability

1 1 2 3

!!!

Long term illness or serious disability

1 2 3 4

!!

Medical attention and several days off work

2 3 4 5

!

First Aid needed3 4 5 6

(Adapted from !Hazpak, WorkCover NSW)

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Example of use of matrix

First, we judge the severity of a hazard and its likelihood of happening. Then, we use the matrix to give this hazard a score.

Hazard: Plate glass door at foot of steps

Severity: Someone falling down the steps could smash through the glass and be very seriously injured. So it is a major risk (medical attention and several days off work).

Likelihood: This could easily happen at any time. So it is ‘Very likely’.

Score: Priority number 1. It is extremely important to fix this problem soon.

Activity 6

Using the matrix above, assess the potential risk in the scenarios below. Explain the score given. Write the answer in the space below the question.

1 The power cord to the audiometer is trailing across the floor from the power point to your desk. Clients must walk around that side of your desk to the visitor’s chair.

Hazard:

Severity:

Likelihood:

Score:

2 One of the visitors’ chairs in the waiting room of your hearing clinic has a wobbly leg. Your clinic is busy and it’s common for all of the chairs to be occupied. Many of your clients are elderly.

Hazard:

Severity:

Likelihood:

Score:

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3 You visit schools to screen the hearing of young children. This means you drive the work car around the suburbs during school time.

Hazard:

Severity:

Likelihood:

Score:

Feedback is provided at the end of the document.

Continuous improvementContinuous improvement in OHS means that an organisation uses a risk management approach to:

identify potential workplace hazards

assess the level of risk that the hazard poses

introduce appropriate risk control measures to eliminate or minimise the risk

monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the risk control strategies on an ongoing basis.

Look at the steps in the continuous improvement process (below).

Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of risk controls is a key element driving the continuous improvement process. Input from managers and staff to ensure that policies, processes and practices are regularly reviewed, updated and reflect best practice are also important in this process.

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Step 1

Identify hazards.

Step 2

Assess risk.

Step 3

Eliminate risk or implement controls.

Step 4

Monitor.

Step 5

Evaluate.

SummaryRisk management is about recognising situations that have the potential to cause harm to people or property, and doing something to prevent a harmful situation occurring or a person being harmed. So it is about identification first and then management.

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 all employers need to implement risk management processes in all workplaces. Employers must take reasonable care to identify any foreseeable hazard that has the potential to harm the health and safety of workers or anyone else in the workplace.

Identify OHS hazards and implement risk assessment 13© NSW DET 2007

Feedback to Activities

Activity 1 feedback

In the second column below are suggested responses on how to minimise each hazard. You might have other strategies.

Potential hazard in workplace Ways to minimise hazard

Magazine table has sharp corners. Replace with a table with rounded ends.

Toy box is overflowing. Reduce the number of toys or replace toy box with a bigger one.

Toddler is playing in path between door and counter.

Place toys in a corner where children can play.

Put up a sign to advise parents/carers to tell their children not to play in busy areas.

Toys with small pieces are scattered on the floor.

Remove all toys that can pose a danger to children (eg, toys with small pieces that can be swallowed by small children and toys with toxic paint, sharp edges etc).

The power lead to the water cooler is frayed and trailing across the floor from a power point.

Check all power leads and replace or repair frayed ones. Make sure they are not trailing on the floor where someone can trip over them.

There is frayed carpet near the door. Tape down the edges of frayed carpet or replace the part that’s frayed.

Elderly client is sitting on a rickety chair. Repair or replace all rickety or unsteady chairs!

Remember: always be on the look-out for hazards, whether you have a clinic or if you have to set a temporary one up in a remote community. Put yourself in the position of a client (including an elderly person or a child) and imagine what potential risks might be there for them.

Activity 2 feedback1 Sitting at a desk in front of a computer can result in:

aches and pains in the upper limbs, such as hands, wrists, shoulders

tired, sore eyes headaches.

14 Identify OHS hazards and implement risk assessment© NSW DET 2007

2 Here are some ways in which you can, as a computer-user, make yourself more comfortable and safer when working.

Chair. This should be adjustable for height and tilt. Sit upright. Ideally, there should support for your lower back. Your feet should be flat on the floor.

Desk. Arrange equipment so that everything is in easy reach so you can avoid having to always reach out or stretch to get something. Adjust the height of the monitor.

Lighting. Avoid glare or bright reflections on the screen. Floor. Make sure you have clear movement of feet and legs

under the desk

Activity 3 feedback

No feedback required.

Activity 4 feedback1 Hazards with clients going into a sound booth might include:

Leads: Leads could cause a fall. Step: Client may trip over the step as they enter the booth.

2 People could get injured in the following ways:

The leads could easily catch around client’s foot causing them to trip.

Hearing impaired person may not hear your instructions to mind the step.

Someone with poor English may not understand instructions.

3 Control of risks would include:

Put up a warning sign in the languages used by your clients. If someone at the clinic speaks the client’s language, ask them to interpret.

Use careful explanation and gestures. If the client is very hearing impaired, check understanding. Provide hooks for leads. Check the equipment leads are safely stowed before allowing

client to enter booth.

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Activity 5 feedback

Speak to your supervisor about the potential hazards.

Activity 6 feedback

Scenario 1:

Hazard: Risk of student tripping over cord

Severity: Risk !

First aid could be needed

Likelihood: Very likely

Score: 3

Scenario 2:

Hazard: Risk of chair collapsing and injuring client

Severity: Risk !!

Injury could require medical attention and elderly person to be bedridden for a few days

Likelihood: very likely

Score: 2

Scenario 3:

Hazard: Risk of having a car accident

Severity: Could kill or cause permanent injury

Likelihood: Likely—could happen sometime

Score: 1

16 Identify OHS hazards and implement risk assessment© NSW DET 2007