MODULE UNIT-5

Participate In
1 Workplace Safety
Procedures
MODULE
SESSION ONE
1.6 Workplace Safety
 2

Upon completion of this module,

you should be able to:
Learning
 Recognize and report hazards in the workplace
Outcomes to designated personnel according to
workplace procedures.

 Follow workplace procedures and work

instructions accurately for assessing and
controlling risks.

 Follow workplace procedures for dealing with

accidents, fire and other emergencies
whenever necessary (within the scope of
responsibilities and competencies).
 2
• Have you ever heard of someone not getting a
Workplace job because they were: too old, young, short?
practices and
regulations • What about people being bullied at work?
• If you were ever bullied at school, who did
you tell?
• If a chair at school was broken and unsafe,
what would you do about it?
 Workplace safety

 Workplace safety refers to the

working environment in a company


 Encompasses all factors that impact

the safety, health, and well-being of
employees.
 This can include environmental
hazards, unsafe working conditions
or processes, drug and alcohol abuse,
and workplace violence
 Workplace safety

 If you work with an organization you

must know the procedure that are in
place for you to follow when it comes
to hazards and risks.
 A hazard is a condition or
combination of conditions that, if left
uncorrected, might lead to an
accident, illness, or property damage.
 Risk control must be used to analyze
the workplace, identify hazards, and
develop strategies for overcoming
these hazards.
 Workplace safety
3

 All workplaces must meet the requirements

of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 2011
(OSHA)
 This law sets guidelines for safety in the workplace to
protect people in a workplace from:
 Injury
 Illness
 Death
 Safety Guidelines

 The source of the hazards must be

eliminated
 Emergency and fire exits should be
clearly marked, free from obstacles
and kept open
 Emergency and fire evacuation
procedures should be maintained
 Electrical wiring, cables conduits and
plugs/wall sockets should be checked
regularly
 There should be no electrical
wires/cords trailing on the floor
 Safety Guidelines

 Workplace emergencies often require

a medical response. The immediate
response is usually first aid.

 First aid consists of life saving

measures taken to assist an injured
person until medical help arrives.
 Other Safety Procedures

File cabinets should be

closed when not in use

 Keys should be handled safely – if

keys get into the hands of the wrong
person(s), this could jeopardize the
safety and security of visitors and staff

 Suitable personal protective clothing

and equipment should be available

 Employees should be trained

 Other Safety Procedures
 Good housekeeping should be
practiced
 Regular safety/maintenance checks on
all equipment/appliances should be
done
 A safe and secure working
environment should be maintained at
all times in order to eliminate or
minimize the chance of accidents such
as:
 - fire
 - falls, cuts, burns
 - electrical shocks
 Safety Protocols

 A knowledge of first aid is vital to

workers because it can make the
difference between life and death,
temporary and permanent disability
and rapid recovery and long
hospitalization.
 For every hazard that you identify you
should implement hazard control
methods.
 The first step involves selecting the
method or methods that are most
likely to produce the desired results.
 Safety Protocols

 Once selected, the method is applied

and monitored to determine if the
expected results are being achieved.
 You should recognize and report
hazards quickly to designated
personnel.
 There are several hazardous situations
that, if detected early and corrected
speedily, could reduce significantly,
the chances of accidents occurring.
 Identifying danger
8

Hazard Risk

 Something with the  The likelihood of injury

potential to cause harm occurring as a result of
a hazard
 9

Types of
hazards in the
workplace
Physical – dangers
or risks associated
with physical items
 10

Types of
hazards in the
workplace
Biological –
environmental
dangers such as
fumes, cleaning
fluids or pollution
 11

Types of
hazards in the
workplace
Psychological –
conditions that
affect a person’s
physical or mental
health
Hazards in the Workplace
12

Physical Biological

Psychological
 13
Identified Why it is a Risk of injury
hazard danger occurring
Hazards and
Eg. Eg. Eg.
Risks
Missing fire In a fire, Highly likely (if
Create the table to the extinguisher nothing to put it there is a fire)
right. (physical) out
Look at the image on
the next slide and
identify:
• What is the hazard
and the type? (find
10)
• Why is it
dangerous?
• Rate the risk as
highly likely,
possible or unlikely
MODULE SESSION TWO
1.6 Recognize &
Report Hazards
 Recognize and Report Hazards

Some of the common hazards that are

found in the workplace environment
are:
 Slippery floors
 Equipment stored untidily
 Spillage
 Uncovered drains
 Cracked or broken tiles
 Built-up litter
 Sharp surfaces
 Broken glass, furniture and fixtures
 Recognize and Report Hazards

Some of the common hazards that are

found in the workplace environment are:
 Unsuitable positioning of furniture
 Protrusion of sharp objects
 Defective electrical cords
 Malfunctioning equipment and tools
 Worn electrical insulators
 Overloading of electrical sockets
 Trailing electric or telephone leads
 Obstacles in gangways,
 Frayed carpets
 Improper storage of hazardous
substances
14
 Recognize and Report Hazards

 You should note that many

accidents and hazards could
be avoided if you identified
them by looking at the
differences between dangers,
risks and hazards.
 There is no doubt that many
accidents and hazards can be
avoided if you pay attention to
the working environment in
which you operate.
 Recognize and Report Hazards

Hazards identification
may include:
 work-place inspections
 on the-job housekeeping
checks
 checking equipment at
workstation area before and
during work

Most organizations have a

standard Health and Safety
Report Form stating action to be
taken and follow up procedures.
 Recognize and Report Hazards

Here are some important points

that you must note when identifying
hazards:
 Following safe work procedures by
identifying and reporting risks or
hazards
 Use business equipment according to
guidelines
 Understanding workplace procedures
and work instructions for identifying and
reporting hazards
 Dealing competently with any hazardous
or potentially hazardous situations
 Recognize and Report Hazards

Here are some important points

that you must note when identifying
hazards:
 Listening to the ideas and opinions of
others in the team
 Checking equipment or workstation
before and during work
 Making on-the job housekeeping checks

 Making regular workplace inspections

 Questions
15

1. True or False:
a) A hazard is only dangerous once it is identified
b) Poor lighting is a psychological hazard
c) The physical design of a workplace could be the cause of
potential hazards
2. What is the difference between physical,
psychological and biological hazards?
3. What is the legislation in Qld which applies to
ensuring there is a safe work environment?
Recognizing Hazard Risk & Danger
 Controlling Risks

Risks can be controlled by:

 Confining smoking to designated areas
that are equipped with non-tip ashtrays
and fire-resistant furnishings.
 Periodically checking electrical circuits
connections and replacing frayed or
worn cords immediately.
 Making sure that extension cords and
other accessories are UL approved and
used only as recommended.
 Controlling Risks

Risks can be controlled by:

 Making sure there is plenty of airspace left
around copying machines and other office
machines that might overheat.
 Locating heat-producing appliances away
from the wall or anything else that could
ignite.
 Frequently inspecting personal appliances
such as hotplates, coffee pots, and cup
warmers.
 Assigning a specific person to be
responsible for turning off such appliances
everyday.
 Controlling Risks

Risks can be controlled by:

 Making sure there is plenty of airspace left
around copying machines and other office
machines that might overheat.
 Locating heat-producing appliances away
from the wall or anything else that could
ignite.
 Frequently inspecting personal appliances
such as hotplates, coffee pots, and cup
warmers.
 Assigning a specific person to be
responsible for turning off such appliances
everyday.
 Controlling Risks

Risks can be controlled by:

 Not ignoring warning signs.

 Following operating instructions

when dealing with equipment.

 Taking actions to minimize risks.

Dealing With Accidents, Fire, And Emergencies

Fire Extinguisher:
 The risk of accidents, fire and other
emergencies should be a concern for all
workers in the organization.
 You are to be aware that office
emergencies are sudden and unexpected,
and they require immediate attention.
 Delays in attending to these emergencies
can result in chaos, destruction of property
and/or loss of life.
 You should have plans for emergencies
posted in conspicuous locations.
Dealing With Accidents, Fire, And Emergencies

Actions to be taken in the case of a

fire:
 Sound the alarm (break glass)
 Call the operator or supervisor
 Evacuate the area in a calm manner
 Assemble in the designated area for a roll
call.
 You should know the address of the fire
brigade company
 know how to give directions to your
company
 know the telephone number of the
premises and the direct location of the fire.
 Evacuation Protocols

Actions to be taken in the case

of an emergency:
 Switch off any machinery that is
being used
 Close windows and doors
 Follow escape route, do not RUN,
WALK
 Assist others if possible
 Go immediately to the assembly
point and DO not return for
belongings.
 Occupational Emergencies

What is an emergency:
 An emergency - is a potentially life
threatening situation, usually
occurring suddenly and
unexpectedly.

 Emergencies may be the result of

natural and/or human causes.
 Occupational Emergencies

When dealing with an emergency

you must:
 Understand the general rules and procedures
when dealing with hazards and emergencies such
as illnesses, accidents, fire and evacuation.
 Understand the procedures used by your
organization in case of an emergency and
reporting of the emergency.
 Be able to identify the main types of fire
equipment, for example, alarms, extinguishers
 Follow the general rules that deal with
emergencies.
 Comply with fire legislation.
 Preparing for Emergencies

Preparing for emergencies

involves the following:
 Planning, practicing, evaluating and
adjusting.
 An immediate response which is critical in
emergencies.
 Ensuring that for proper coordination of
internal emergency response there be one
person in charge and that everyone involved
knows who that person is.
 Preparing for emergencies that should also
enable you to prepare employees to
administer first aid.
 Preparing for Emergencies

Preparing for emergencies

involves the following:
 Having well-stocked first aid kits
readily available.
 Having personal protective devices
available.
 Post- emergency telephone numbers.

 Keeping all employees informed.

 Preparing for Emergencies

A company’s emergency
action plan should have the
following component:
 Procedures
 Coordination
 Assignments/responsibilities
 Accident prevention strategies,
 Making schedules.
MODULE SESSION THREE
1.6 Organizational
Responsibility
 Responsibilities under the law
4
Employers
 Provide a safe system of work
 Provide and maintain safety of
machinery, tools, equipment
and substances
 Provide information, training
and supervision for employees’
safety
 Train managers and
supervisors to ensure they
provide for the safety of
employees
Employees
 Comply with safety instructions
 Use personal protective
equipment (PPE) provided by
employer
 Take part in workplace training
provided by employer
 Must not deliberately misuse
safety equipment
 Must not deliberately endanger
others
 Must not deliberately injure
themselves
 Taking safety seriously
6
Did You Know?
 More than 500 workers
are killed in work-related
accidents each year
 Hundreds more workers
die each year due to
work-related illness
 Thousands of workers
are injured each year
while performing their
duties at work
 In your notebook, list as
many school safety rules
as you can think of
 Why do you think the
school enforces these
rules?
 Discuss your responses
with the class
 Compensation Claims
16

 Compensation:
 Something awarded to someone in recognition of injury, loss
or damage
 In workplaces, compensation can be awarded to a customer
or to someone for suffering an injury or illness because of
their work, or
 To family because of the death of a family member due to the
deceased’s work
 Workers’ compensation legislation tries to achieve a
balance between several interests:
 An employee’s interest in being compensated for injuries
suffered at work
 The employer’s right to run a business profitably and not be
over-burdened by the costs of compensating workers for
injuries
 Legislation over the years has tried to balance these
two interest in making provision for issues such as:
a) In what circumstances a worker is entitled to workers’
compensation
b) How much they are entitled to
c) How much an employer should pay for the cost of
employees having accidents
 Current legislation known as the Workman’s
Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003
 Under this, employers pay an insurance premium to
Employees (unless they are self-insured), in relation
to accidents at work
 Entitlement to compensation from
WorkCover

 There are four conditions to obtaining compensation

from Workman Compensation
1. The person is a ‘worker’
a) Section 11 and schedule 2 of the Act defines who is classed
as a worker
2. There must be an event resulting in injury
a) Section 31 of the 2003 Act defines an ‘event’ broadly to be
anything resulting in injury, including an injury that
develops later
3. There must be an injury
a) Section 32 defines an injury
to be a personal injury that
arises out of, or in the course
of, employment is a
significant contributing factor
to the injury
4. The injury must arise out of, or in
the course of, employment
a) ‘In the course of employment’
means that the employee is:
a) At the workplace working
for the business
b) Away from the workplace
on work-related business
c) Temporarily absent from
the workplace during
lunch or another normal
break
 Amount of Compensation
paid by WorkCover

 There are various types of injury for which WorkCover will pay
compensation
 Partial incapacity
 Worker has restricted ability to work again
 Permanent injury
 Permanent loss or use of part of the body or senses, such as the loss of
a finger
 Compensation is worked out the same as for total incapacity, except a
percentage reduction is made according to what percentage of
functions the worker can still perform – eg. If a person is incapacitated
to the extent of 20%, they would receive 20% of what a totally
incapacitated person would receive
 Total incapacity
 Injury that means the worker will not be able to
work again, such as paralysis
 Compensation depends on three things: worker’s
average earnings for the past 12 months, average
wage of all workers and the extent of the impairment

 Death
 Workman Compensation must pay
reasonable costs of any medical treatment
the worker received and reasonable funeral
costs
Questions?
 ONLINE LEARNING DEPARTMENT
Tel: 876-820-9260

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