oh&s by gemma culpin. work and hazards in agriculture the agricultural industry employs about 3%...

OH&S

By Gemma Culpin

Work and hazards in agriculture

The agricultural industry employs about 3% of all employees in Australia. About 4% of employed young people work in the agricultural industry.

The main types or sub-sectors of the agricultural industry are:

•horticulture

•grain farming

•cattle farming

•fishing

•forestry.


Many agricultural businesses are run by families where there is no real boundary between home and the workplace.

There are many jobs that young workers can do in the agricultural industry including:

•farm hand

•fruit picker

•deck hand

•transport driver

•gardener

•machine operator


The most common hazards in the agricultural industry are:

•using unguarded machinery - eg. the power take off on tractors or conveyor lines

•manual harvesting - eg. fruit picking that involves awkward working positions and reaching above your shoulder or head

•heavy lifting - eg. moving or lifting animals, moving feed and lifting fruit cases

•elevated work - eg. working in silos and cool stores where there is the possibility of falling

•fatigue - eg. working extended hours during peak times (eg. harvesting) and working in hot or cold weather.


The chance that these hazards will result in an injury for young workers is higher when combined with risk factors such as:

•lack of supervision

•lack of training

•working alone

•working long days

•temporary employment

•trying to impress the boss, supervisor or co-workers.


When hazards are combined with risk factors (these are called dangerous combinations) the chance of injury, and the possible seriousness of the injury, increases.


Dangerous combination in agriculture - an example

Jacqui drives the quad bike (all terrain-vehicle) on the family's farm. She really likes riding it but has never been taught to drive it; she has just been doing it for years. Jacqui often does farm jobs using the quad bike after she comes home from school. She works by herself.

Being tired after school, working alone and lack of training are all risk factors that greatly increase the chance of Jacqui rolling the bike or having an accident and injuring herself.

Work and hazards in construction

The construction industry employs about 10% of all employees in Australia. About 8% of employed young people work in the construction industry.

There are several sub-sectors in the construction industry:

•domestic housing construction

•commercial and civil construction

•trade services.


The industry has a high proportion of small employers and self employed workers and the use of sub-contractors is very widespread.

There are many jobs that young workers can do in the construction industry including:

•plumber

•electrician

•carpenter

•builder's labourer

•bricklayer.


The most common hazards in the construction industry are:

•lifting and pushing - eg.handling heavy or awkward sized objects

•slips, trips, falls - eg. slipping on a wet surface or falling from a ladder

•using hand tools such as power tools, saws, shovels and crow bars

•noise from machinery such as concrete cutters, drills and saws

•atmospheric contaminants such as dust, synthetic mineral fibres and asbestos.


The chance that these hazards will result in an injury for young workers is higher when they are combined with risk factors such as:


•lack of training

•working alone

•being uninformed about their rights


•temporary employment.


A dangerous combination in construction - an example

Nikos has recently finished his apprenticeship as a carpenter. He has just started to work for a new boss and wants to show the boss he is keen and resourceful. The job he is doing is a renovation on an old house and he is mainly working alone. There is asbestos on the site. Nikos hasn't had asbestos specific training and doesn't recognise or know how to manage the risk. As a result, his risk of injury or illness is dramatically increased.

Work and hazards in hospitality

The hospitality industry includes tour operators and guides, working in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and clubs, and at events. About 5% of all employees in Australia work in the hospitality industry and about 10% of employed young people work in the hospitality industry, so it is an industry with an over-representation of young workers.


The industry has a high proportion of small employers with 85% of employers employing 20 or less employees. Part time and casual work is very widespread in the industry.


There are many jobs that young workers can do in the hospitality industry including:

•waiters

•bar attendants

•ticket sellers

•chefs

•kitchen hands

•event staff.


The most common hazards in the hospitality industry are:

•lifting and pushing - eg. handling heavy or awkward shaped objects

•slips, trips, falls - eg. slipping on a wet floor or tripping on uneven surfaces

•hot surfaces and substances - eg. hot plates, pans and splashes from hot oils or liquids

•cutting equipment - eg. knives and electric meat slicers

•occupational violence - eg. abusive customers or dealing with robbers.




•inexperience

•trying to impress the boss, supervisor or co-workers

•temporary employment

•long working days.



Dangerous combinations in hospitality - an example

Nui has just got a job as a waitress in a busy cafe. It's Nui's first job as a waitress and she wants her boss and the customers to think she is good at the job. She works hard and is soon offered more and longer shifts.

Because the tables are so close together Nui finds it difficult to move through the cafe quickly without bumping into tables and chairs - and the customers. The floor is also at slightly different levels where the floor surface changes from wood to tiles, and she has already caught her foot a couple of times.

Nui's chance of falling or tripping is greatly increased when these risk factors are combined.

Work and hazards in manufacturing

The manufacturing industry is very diverse and covers the production of textiles, clothing and footwear, heavy machinery, chemicals and electronics. It employs about 12% of all employees in Australia and about 9% of employed young people work in the manufacturing industry


The industry has a high proportion of small employers and self employed workers. The use of sub-contractors is very widespread in the industry.

There are many jobs that young workers can do in the manufacturing industry. These include:

•upholsterer

•machine operator

•plant operator

•textiles designer

•instrument fitter

•locksmith.


The most common hazards in the manufacturing industry are:

•lifting and pushing - eg. handling heavy or awkward shaped objects

•slips, trips, falls - eg. slipping on a greasy floor or falling from a storage rack

•using hand tools such as drills and power saws

•noise from machinery such as stamping machines, presses and mixers

•chemicals - eg. using solvents, cleaning chemicals and acids




•inexperience

•lack of training


•feeling invulnerable - that nothing can hurt you.


Dangerous combinations in manufacturing - an example

Jane works in a factory that makes parts for heaters. She is a machine operator. The machine stops frequently because the parts jam in the feed in tray. Jane has to clear the machine regularly but she hasn't had any training about how to do this safely and, to save time, she usually clears the jammed product without shutting off the machine. This doesn't worry her as she feels confident that she can quickly clear the machine without any risk to herself.

Not having training and believing she can remove the jammed product without risk to herself greatly increases her risk of injury.

Work and hazards in retail

The retail industry employs more people than any other industry sector in Australia - about 15% of all jobs. It also has the highest percentage of young workers - 40% of workers are under 25 years of age. For most young people their first job is likely to be in the retail industry.


There are three main parts of the retail industry:

•food retailing

•personal and household goods

•motor vehicle retailing and services


There are many jobs that young workers can do in the retail industry. These include:

•sales assistant

•shelf stacker in a supermarket

•checkout operator in a supermarket

•apprentice in butchers or bakers

•delivery person.


There are hazards in all industries. The most common hazards in the retail industry are:

•Lifting and pushing - eg. handling heavy or awkward sized objects

•Slips, trips, falls - eg. slipping on a wet surface or falling from a ladder

•Machinery - eg. using a bread slicer or power tools

•Occupational violence - eg. abusive customers or dealing with robbers

•Chemicals - eg. using cleaning products or spills from chemical products

•Bullying - eg. continual harassment by supervisors or co workers


The chance that these hazards will result in an injury for young workers is higher when combined with risk factors such as:


•lack of training

•working alone

•working at night

•working long days

•undertaking repetitive tasks




A dangerous combination in retail - an example

Ben works at a petrol station. He takes the money from customers. Some nights he works alone. He hasn't had any training about how to deal with abusive, drunk or drug effected customers. He isn't confident enough to raise the issue of dealing with such difficult customers with his boss.

Confronted with abusive, drunk or drug effected customers, Ben's risk of injury or illness is greatly increased.

Work and hazards in other industry areas

The Safe-T1 website focuses on the industries that young people tend to work in and/or where the rate of health and safety issues amongst young workers is high - agriculture, construction, hospitality, manufacturing and retail. But in the Resource Centre you’ll also find teaching and learning activities that are relevant to, or directly about, other industries.

oh&s by gemma culpin. work and hazards in agriculture the agricultural industry employs about 3%...

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