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HTTOHS300A: Contribute to OHS processes

Contribute to hazard identification, OHS risk assessment and risk control activities

Contents

Report identified hazards and inadequacies in risk controls 3

Risk control 3

Check the workplace for hazards using itemised checklist(s) in accordance with work procedures 5

Contribute to risk assessments 6

Risk assessment—check out the hazards 6

Assessing hazards 7

Analysing the likelihood and consequences of risk 8

Use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) in assessing the risks 9

Priorities for risk control 10

Provide input to development and implementation of control measures, with reference to the hierarchy of control 11

Risk control—fix it 11

Summary 13

Certificate III in Children’s Services: HTTOHS300A: Reader LO 9652 © NSW DET 2010

Report identified hazards and inadequacies in risk controls

Once hazards have been identified in the workplace it is important that they are assessed for the level of risk posed to an individual and reported.

We will also consider the effectiveness of any of the controls that had been put in place to manage the risk.

Remember not all control strategies put in place will be effective in managing an identified hazard.

We must therefore report any inadequacies we see in the implemented controls and keep in mind that elimination of risk should be the goal of risk management not just decreasing the level of risk.

Activity 1

Risk controlControlling workplace risks means doing what can be done to prevent problems and protect people’s health and safety.

Clearly, the most desirable way of managing risks of work injury is to eliminate the risk entirely, if this is possible. For example, if a noisy machine can be replaced with a quiet one, the noise hazard has been eliminated.

If the risk cannot be eliminated, it should be minimised in whatever ways are most likely to be practicable and effective. This could involve:

substituting the process or substance with a safer one designing premises or equipment so that it is safer to use engineering controls (altering tools, equipment or work systems to make

them safer, eg. enclosing or isolating the hazard) administrative measures (such as training workers in safe procedures,

organising suitable maintenance or housekeeping practices, job rotation or changing work organisation)

using personal protective equipment (PPE—such as ear muffs, dust masks, gloves, etc.)

Certificate III in Children’s Services: HTTOHS300A: Reader LO 9652© NSW DET 2010

This list of types of strategies is known as the hierarchy of risk controls (or the hierarchy of hazard controls), because risk control should be accomplished using strategies as close as possible to the top of the list (these are more effective).

In many cases it will be necessary to use more than one control method. PPE is the least effective and should be the method of last resort, used only as an interim measure or if no other measures are practicable.

This is because PPE often does not give as much protection as other types of controls. For example, a dust mask will not give much protection if it is already clogged up with dust, or if there is not a good facial fit for the wearer and dust can enter the worker’s lungs via the gaps between face and mask. PPE can also be hot, awkward or uncomfortable, and workers may neglect to wear it for some of the time they are exposed to the hazard.

Risk controls which have been put in place should be monitored to check that the risk is adequately controlled, and that the risk controls do not create new hazards. Workers’ feedback is an important part of checking whether risk controls are achieving their purpose.

Activity 2


Check the workplace for hazards using itemised checklist(s) in accordance with work procedures

In your centre you might have a list of duties and checks that have to be attended to when you arrive for your working day. If you don’t have an OHS checklist, this is a good time to incorporate it into your normal start of day activities.

Let’s look at a list of basic procedures that you would have to carry out.

Disarm alarm. Turn on all switches. Turn on gas. Turn on water. Turn off answering machines.

I’m sure you can add further to this list those procedures that pertain to your centre.

Now, if we have a good look at each task you can see that most, if not each, can be incorporated into an OHS check at the same time.

For example,

Turn on all switches. Are they safe—working satisfactorily? Are cords out of the way? Are there liquids near the switches? Are there frayed cords? Are cords on floors, marked clearly, out of the way or safely covered? Are cords tangled? Are there too many plugs or adaptors in the one socket?

Do you get the idea? Now do this Activity.

Activity 3

You could also adapt the checklist mentioned in the topic ‘Plan and conduct work safely’: http://www.childcare.tas.gov.au/pdf/dailyhazardchecklist.pdf


Contribute to risk assessments

Risk assessment—check out the hazardsOnce hazards have been identified, you can then assess their significance. The level of significance will determine the priority assigned to its elimination or control. As we have seen, there are many types of hazards - physical, chemical and biological for example, and methods for assessing them will differ. A few general points need to be considered however, when assessing hazards.

Activity 4

The risk of back injuries from lifting and moving children or other loads is often the most common hazard. So here are some ways to control the risks:

Where possible, kneel rather than bend down. For example, if a child needs comforting instead of bending over and picking the child up, sit down and encourage the child to climb on your knee, or kneel so that you are closer to the child’s level.

Minimise your bending by remaining close to the cot when lifting children Never twist while lifting Carry children only when necessary. The correct way is with one arm

under the child’s buttocks and your other arm supporting the child’s back. At the same time, hold the child facing you, as close to your body as possible. Try to avoid carrying a child on your hip because this may strain your back.

When sliding, pulling or pushing equipment which is not easy to move, ask for help and organise a team lift

Sit in an adult-size chair for reading How to lift safely Place your feet in a stride position Keep your breastbone as elevated as possible Bend your knees Brace your stomach muscles Hold the child/object close to your centre of gravity Move your feet, not your spine Prepare to move in a forward-facing direction.


Assessing hazards

More than one cause There may well be a number of factors which contribute to the probability and degree of injury or illness for a particular hazard. For example, a chemical may be toxic if spilt and absorbed through the skin; and a worker may not have been trained in safe clean-up procedures.

Exposure The significance of the risk of injury or illness may be affected by the level of a worker's exposure to a hazard. For example, the hazard posed by exposure to a solvent increases with the frequency and duration of exposure.

Severity This concerns the extent of the injury or degree of harm which might be caused by a hazard. A severe effect may even include death, permanent disability or an illness such as cancer or hepatitis. Some examples are electrical hazards and machinery; chemicals such as acids, and dust particles such as asbestos.

Human differences Hazards need to be assessed in terms of the individual or groups of employees who are exposed to them. Their skills, experience, training and physical capabilities must be taken into account. The risk from manual handling hazards can be increased by physical capabilities and experience in dealing with the hazard.

Some examples that you’ll find when assessing hazards include:

allergies: some workers experience allergic reactions when exposed to certain chemicals or airborne particles

plant controls: fixed plant controls might not be manipulated in a totally safe manner by all employees because of the difference of size and strength between individuals.

performance standards: a changing workforce can significantly affect such factors as experience, age and size of workers and these need to be taken into account in setting or modifying performance standards.

The assessment of hazards can be a complex task and can involve expert technical analysis such as air analysis, exposure level readings. In many cases it may require the involvement of consultants to undertake such assessments.


Analysing the likelihood and consequences of riskThis step is about analysing the likelihood and consequences of each risk identified in order to establish the level of risk. The level of risk is determined by the relationship between the likelihood (frequency or probability) and the consequences (impact or magnitude of the effect) if the risk occurs.

Probability refers to the likelihood of an event occurring and severity refers to the level of damage or injury that might arise as result of an occurrence. The calculation of this risk could be referred to as the measurement of that risk. The level of risk should by analysed in relation to any existing controls.

Severity is measuring the consequences of being exposed to a hazard. As a risk assessor you are asking whether the hazard is so severe that it could kill or cause serious injury (S), could require days off work (D) or first aid without loss of days (F).

Likelihood is assessing how likely it is that a hazard will harm someone. This likelihood will range from very likely (VL) to very unlikely (VU) depending on the form of the hazard.

Hazard rating chart

WorkCover NSW

Hazard rating chartIn considering risks associated with hazards you are endeavouring to work out the severity of possible harm and its likelihood of happening. Adding the assessment of severity and likelihood together it produces a profile of the work


hazard/situation that can then be use to recommend action which will range from immediate action required to no action required.

A range of risk assessment techniques are available, using either qualitative or quantitative measures.

Use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) in assessing the risksMaterial Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) are an important tool that can be used when assessing chemical hazards.

MSDSs provide detailed information and data on safe handling of chemicals used at work and assist employers to meet their general duty of care under the legislation and develop a safe system of work.

MSDSs identify the physical and chemical properties of hazardous substances. They detail the substance’s uses and provide health/hazard information, including first aid requirements, as well as precautions for use, such as exposure standards, engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) needed. Other information provided included details on flammability and safe handling procedures including storage and transportation, spills and disposal and fire/explosion hazard factors.

You can obtain a copy of ‘Reading Labels and Material Safety data sheets” from the following WorkCover NSW website. You should read it and make yourself familiar with various safe storage methods.

www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/036D6A69-7A41-4107-947F-88E14B6D8B5E/0/reading_labels_and_material_safety_data_sheets_0400.pdf

How to use MSDSAnyone who uses hazardous substances at work should be familiar with the information contained in MSDSs. MSDSs should be stored in a place accessible to everyone so that they can be referred to when working with chemicals. MSDSs provide valuable information such as:

correct use and safe handling of products engineering controls required, and emergency procedures necessary.


http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/036D6A69-7A41-4107-947F-88E14B6D8B5E/0/reading_labels_and_material_safety_data_sheets_0400.pdf

http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/036D6A69-7A41-4107-947F-88E14B6D8B5E/0/reading_labels_and_material_safety_data_sheets_0400.pdf

Priorities for risk controlThe purpose of workplace assessment is to determine priorities in risk control. We shall now look at risk in more detail. But first, you may have noticed that the words risk and hazard are often used interchangeably. So what is the difference between hazard and risk? Strictly speaking, if something is hazardous it has the potential to be harmful to health. The risk is the likelihood that harm will be caused in the actual circumstances.


Provide input to development and implementation of control measures, with reference to the hierarchy of control

Risk control—fix itControlling workplace risks means doing what can be done to prevent problems and protect people's health and safety.

Clearly, the most desirable way of managing risks of work injury is to eliminate the risk entirely, if this is possible. For example:

Raman just got caught up in a display of children’s artwork that had been hung from the ceiling of the playroom. Although Raman was not injured she was worried that the strings posed a strangling hazard for staff and children.

Raman applied the first step in the hierarchy of control system and removed the strings and instead displayed the artwork on the noticeboard in the room.

In this case elimination and substitution has effectively removed the strangling hazard and nothing further needs to be done.

Elimination is not always desirable though. Think about the tree mentioned earlier that dropped leaves over the front access path to the service.

We could remove the tee with local council permission, however this tree obviously provides shade in summer months – removing the tree introduces another hazard - risk of sun damage caused by inadequate shade. We would therefore need to consider other controls (possibly more than one) in this situation to best manage the safety issue.


Hierarchy of controlIf the risk cannot be eliminated, it should be minimised in whatever ways are most likely to be practicable and effective. This could involve:

substituting the process or substance with a safer one designing premises or equipment so that it is safer to use engineering controls (altering tools, equipment or work systems to make

them safer, eg. enclosing or isolating the hazard) administrative measures (such as training workers in safe procedures,

organising suitable maintenance or housekeeping practices, job rotation or changing work organisation)

using personal protective equipment (PPE - such as ear muffs, dust masks, gloves, etc.)

This list of types of strategies is known as the hierarchy of risk controls (or the hierarchy of hazard controls), because risk control should be accomplished using strategies as close as possible to the top of the list (these are more effective).

To decide on the best method of controlling risks, you will need to ask:

Is it possible to remove the risk at the design stage? Can the hazard be eliminated? If a machine or work practice be substituted to reduce the risk? If the worker be isolated from the risk or the risk from the worker? If safer work practices be developed and put in place? If, as a last resort, personal protective equipment (ppe) can be used?

(note that ppe does not address the hazard.)

In many cases it will be necessary to use more than one control method. PPE is the least effective and should be the method of last resort, used only as an interim measure or if no other measures are practicable.

Personal protective equipmentPersonal Protective Equipment or PPE refers to the equipment worn by workers to reduce their exposure to risks. PPE is used as a last resort in the prevention of workplace accidents. It is important to note that using PPE does not get rid of the hazard. PPE is required for the protection of all or parts of the body depending on the job.

This is because PPE often does not give as much protection as other types of controls. For example, a dust mask will not give much protection if it is already clogged up with dust, or if there is not a good facial fit for the wearer and dust can enter the worker’s lungs via the gaps between face and mask. PPE can also be hot, awkward or uncomfortable, and workers may neglect to wear it for some of the time they are exposed to the hazard. Adequate resources need to be made


available to ensure risks are effectively controlled. PPE may be cheaper, but effectiveness is a more important consideration, as short-term cost savings are likely to result in higher costs in the longer term.

Risk controls which have been put in place should be monitored to check that the risk is adequately controlled, and that the risk controls do not create new hazards. Workers’ feedback is an important part of checking whether risk controls are achieving their purpose.

Activity 5

Summary

Remember all staff members have an important role to play in not only hazard identification but also in developing and implementing controls.

Safety checklists conducted on a regular basis are an effective way of identifying potential risks in the workplace

Risks are given a LOW, MEDIUM or HIGH rating depending on the level of harm that may be caused to an individual/

Suggestions can be made at staff meetings or to your OHS representative or supervisor.

Risk controls which have been put in place should be monitored to check that the risk is adequately controlled, and that the risk controls do not create new hazards.

Workers’ feedback is an important part of checking whether risk controls are achieving their purpose.


clips word template - sielearning web viewis it possible to remove the risk at the design stage? ......

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