Occupational Health & Safety

Community Services and People

Aspect’s OHS Program

•Developing and implementing safe work practices and achieving safe work places

•Promoting good health

•Reducing number and severity of injuries

•Managing injuries and return to work

•Complying with legal responsibilities

Four principles

•Shared responsibility •Covers employees, contractors, volunteers, visitors•Focus on prevention - being proactive not reactive•Embedded in the way we do our business

Your OHS induction

•OHS induction when you start•Work through induction checklist with your manager to:•Understanding OHS in your work place•Emergency evacuation procedures and exits •First Aider and location of first aid kits•Reporting procedures for an injury or emergency •Non Violent Crisis Intervention [NVCI] training•Return to work procedure after an injury

Your OHS responsibilities

•Be mindful about OHS

•Look out for yourself and others – staff, volunteers, contractors, visitors

•Report near misses, incidents and accidents

•Report unsafe issues – work practices, hazards, risks

•Report injuries immediately

•Contribute to OHS discussions

•Suggest ways to reduce hazards and risks

•Practice & discuss NCI techniques at group sessions

•Be proactive

Safety representatives•Represent your workplace raising safety issues •Assess hazards and risks•Assist staff prepare risk assessments at their site and on excursions

•Delegate tasks out to staff members at your site•Raise OH&S issues at staff meetings•Participate in the Safety Representatives Meetings

Consultancy roles in Aspect

•Work in sites we can’t control•Check our policy on home visiting•Ensure your manager or administration assistant knows your timetable for home or other visits

•Have a mobile phone with you •Safe driving - do not drive if you are tired, space your visits out to reach your destination safely

Non Violent Crisis Intervention

•Training in a systematic approach to manage challenging behaviour so staff and clients are less likely to be injured during an incident

•Geared particularly to needs of staff in direct contact roles•Teaches how to respond effectively to warning signs of challenging behaviour and to deal with their own stress, anxieties, and emotions

•Part of our positive approach to challenging behaviour •New staff to receive NVCI training within first six months of employment

Manual Handling •Manual handling represents 30% of all workplace injuries – WorkCover Statistics 2008

•Always bend your knees when picking items up•Do not lift if the item is too heavy for you – ask for help!

•Listen to instructions and follow training steps in relation to handling clients

•Place manageable loads into smaller baskets when making client visits or carrying equipment ie in and out of cars

Emergency Evacuation/Lock Down Procedure •Formal emergency evacuation drills occur annually – with evacuation drills being carried out each term/quarterly

•Make sure you know your closest exit•Make sure you know where to meet once you have exited the building

•Never go back to your workplace until the Chief Warden gives you the all clear

•Lock downs – •Remain in the classroom/building/office•Pull down blinds and lock the doors•Keep low and quiet •Follow instructions from the wardens

•Your safety representatives•OHS Coordinator – Karen Williams –

02 8977 8304kwilliams@autismspectrum.org.au

•Ask if you need information•Talk if you are concerned•Act to prevent accidents and injuries•Work Safe - Stay Safe !!

Know your OHS contacts