BSBWHS501A

Ensure a safe
workplace
Assessment Task 1

Ensure a safe workplace

Assessment Task 1

Establish and maintain WHS management systems

 
Table of Contents

1.     Review the Australian Hardware

Manual lifting procedures
Handling and Use of Hazardous Material
2.     Review the Australian Hardware simulated business information
Health Safety and Environment
3. WHS management system to propose for Australian Hardware.
WHS training
On the job training
Training needs analysis
4: Australian Hardware (Wollongong) WHS policy and procedures
Purpose
Scope
Responsibility
Relevant legislation/standards
Work Health and Safety
Name of Act
Commencement
5.     evelop a report on the proposed WHSMS.
Australian Hardware
Work Health and Safety Act 2011

1. Review the Australian Hardware

    

Manual lifting procedures

What are the present weight limits for lifting?
 There is no longer a prescribed maximum weight limit for lifting for either men or women.
 The weight of the load needs to be considered in relation to a number of other risk factors such as
the:
• Action sand movements
• Working posture and position when lifting
• Duration and frequency of manual handling
•Location of loads and the distances moved
• Characteristics of the load
 Light loads can still be a problem, if for example they are lifted incorrectly or if light loads are lifted in
an environment that is unsafe.
 The National Code of Practice for Manual Handling indicates that the risk of injury increases when:
 Lifting weights of more than 4.5kg while seated Lifting weights above the range of 16-20kg (weights
over 55kgs should not be lifted without mechanical assistance or team lifting) Pushing, pulling and
sliding objects that are difficult to move.
 Young workers under the age of 18 years of age should not be required to lift, lower or carry more
than 16kg without mechanical or other assistance.
Safe Lifting Technique
 Correct lifting procedures are to be used at all times. There are 7 positive steps to follow to minimise
the risks of
 Injury when lifting.
1. PREPARATION
The first step in any lifting operation is preparation. Plan how you
will carry out the lift and clear away any obstacles. By visualizing
the lift, you will automatically make your stomach muscles
contract. These
Muscles brace your back and will significantly contribute to injury
prevention.

2. SIZE UP THE
LOAD

By moving the load sideways and

forwards you will be able to
ascertain whether it is within your
capacity. Always imagine that the
object you are about to lift is much
heavier than it actually is.

3. PROPER FOOT
POSITION
As a general rule the front foot should be beside the object. The back
foot should be slightly behind and be hip width from the front foot. This achieves a stable base and
allows for even distribution of weight.
4. PROPER HOLD
Ideally with the proper hold the hands should be diagonally
opposite for security and comfort. Use the full length of the
fingers and where  possible
the palms to avoid fatigue.
5. BEND THE KNEES
Bend your knees to get down
to the load and use the legs to
lift it. This way thigh and leg
muscles are used and these
are the strongest part of your
body (your back muscles are
only for bracing).
 6. STRAIGHT BACK
Keep your back as near to straight as possible, raise your head,
keeping your chin in. This will keep your spine straight and enable
you to see where you are going.
7. STRAIGHT BACK
During the lift, keep the arms as straight as
possible, and the elbows into the side. Don’t
change your grip while carrying and Directly
face the spot on which the load will rest. Never
combine lifting with the twisting of your body. If
you must turn, do it by moving your feet.
Twisting causes the worst type of back injuries.

Always remember that regardless of the shape of the object, the

principles of safe lifting remain the same. When setting down objects the
reverse procedure to lifting should be applied.
By following these simple steps you will significantly reduce the risk of injury
when lifting.
The golden rule when lifting is, know your limitations.
The essential lifting message is that the more you bend your knees, the less you use your
back.

Team lifting
Whenever team lifting is used, it is essential to co-ordinate and carefully plan the lift. When organising
a lift, ensure:
• An adequate number of employees are chosen to help in the lift.
• Team members are of similar height.
• One person is appointed “leader” of the team to perform the lift.
• There is enough area for the team members to manoeuvre as a group.
• Team members know their roles and responsibilities.
• Training in team lifting has been provided and the lift is rehearsed.
• Emergency procedures are in place.
Handling and Use of Hazardous
Material
A. Storage
All hazardous material must be stored in appropriate cabinets,
flammable material storage cabinets etc. until use and returned
for safekeeping after use. Containers of hazardous materials
should not be left on bench tops when not in use.
B. MSDS Information
1.It is important that anyone using hazardous material read the
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) associated with the
hazardous material before its use.
2.Anyone handling or using hazardous material shall use
personal protective equipment as noted in the MSDS or as indicated in the Amherst College Chemical
Hygiene Plan.
C. Disposal of Empty Hazardous Material Containers
1. If the entire contents of a hazardous material container are consumed, the empty container shall be
wanded to read the bar code to decrement the quantity in the CIS.
2.Empty containers may be discarded into a "Glass Only" box or a wastebasket as appropriate. A
container is considered empty if the contents have been removed by the normal procedure for that
hazardous material, pouring, scooping, etc.
 D. Hazardous Material on hand without Future Use
Any hazardous material which is deemed unacceptable for future use or is identified as excess
material without future need, will be declared hazardous waste by attachment of the appropriate
hazardous waste label and managed in accordance with the Amherst College Hazardous Waste
Management Policy.

1.     Review the Australian Hardware simulated business

information
Health Safety and Environment
Overview
At Australian Hardware we are safe, disciplined and reliable. We act on our responsibilities to identify
and remove potential and recognized risk to a healthy and safe workplace.
Australian Hardware Limited (Australian Hardware) values its employees, contractors, customers and
the Environment and communities in which we operate and live. We are committed with complying
with Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) laws and the voluntary standards to which our
organization subscribes.
The policy is publicly available and communicated throughout the business.
Purpose
This policy sets out Australian Hardware’s commitment to providing a safe, healthy environment and
experience for its employees, contractors, consultants and visitors. It sets out the minimum
requirements to ensure compliance with HSE legislation and related codes of practice and industry
standards.
Scope
This policy applies to all Australian Hardware employees, visitors, consultants, contractors,
employees of contractors and consultants, persons employed through labor hire agencies and
volunteers.
Policy
Australian Hardware’s integrated HSE Management System provides the framework for HSE
management and continual improvement throughout all our businesses, products and activities from
design, construction and operation. Through the implementation of our HSE Management System
Australian Hardware is committed to the following principles:
·        The maintenance of a safe environment and safe workplaces;
·        The prevention of pollution;
·        Strong leadership and accountability in framing and driving desirable HSE outcomes;
·        Ongoing evaluation of compliance with HSE laws and requirements;
·        Adopting ecologically sustainable development principles;
·        Consultation on issues that may affect an individual’s health and safety;
·        Proactively identifying and managing HSE risks, and implementing effective controls and systems of
work;
·        Effective management of the processes around land access and statutory approvals;
·        Reducing our energy, water and natural resources consumption and waste generation;
·        Identification and development of strong risk controls;
·        Integrating HSE in the planning, design, importing and manufacture of goods;
·        Providing all necessary supervision, training, instruction, equipment and information to employees
and visitors to our workplaces;
·        Setting and achieving HSE objectives, targets and improvement plans;
·        Measuring and evaluating our HSE performance through regular audits, inspections and internal
reporting;
·        Recognizing outstanding HSE performance;
·        Seeking and respecting community views;
·        Maintenance of certification to AS/NZ 14001, AS/NZ 4801 and BS OHSAS 18001.
Roles and Responsibilities
All employees, contractors and visitors are accountable for behaving in a safe and environmentally
responsible manner at all times. Every employee, contractor, and visitor has a personal responsibility
to comply with this policy and to notify their manager or guide if there is a compliance issue or
question.
 It is the responsibility of the Australian Hardware’s Executive Management to ensure sufficient
resources are available to implement this policy.
Managers are responsible for:
·        Ensuring that employees are provided adequate training, information and supervision to perform their
jobs safely and have the appropriate equipment.
·        Complying with relevant HSE legislation
·        Ensuring that any unsafe practice is eliminated
·        The day-to-day management of environmental issues that directly impact there are of responsibility
·        Encouraging environmental awareness within their area of responsibility
Employees, consultants and contractors are responsible for:
·        Performing their work in a safe manner;
·        Taking reasonable care that their acts do not adversely affect the health and safety of themselves,
others or the environment in which we operate;
·        Reporting any incidents, accidents or hazards.
·        Undertaking their day to day work in compliance with this policy and any other HSE legislation; and
·        Ensuring that any visitors that they are responsible for are advised of the requirements of this policy.
·        If you become aware of any actual or possible non-compliance with this policy, you should

3. WHS management system to

propose for Australian Hardware.
Under Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation, persons conducting a business or undertaking are
required to provide information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure workers’ safety.  They
also have an obligation to inform any person at the workplace who may be exposed to a risk.
Information, instruction, training and supervision must be provided on a regular basis. Make sure
training systems are flexible to accommodate different schedules, needs and skill levels. Shift
workers, part-time and casual workers must not be overlooked in the scheduling of
training.  Volunteers are also now defined in the legislation as "workers" so their needs must be
included too.
You should provide information, instruction and training in a variety of ways, such as:
induction or orientation training
·        OHS training – mandatory, ongoing and refresher
·        on the job training including mentoring and peer support
·        documented safe work procedures
·        documented care plans
·        individual supervision
·        group supervision
·        team meetings
·        client case conferences, service reviews
·        newsletters, safety events, bulletins, emails, posters
·        attach pertinent information on timesheets
WHS training
WHS training can be included as part of other training or be WHS specific. It must be provided
regularly and include refreshers. You should consult with your workers about the information and
training necessary to undertake their work safely.  You should also make sure that the information is
accessible and easily understood.
Examples of WHS training provided by HACC service providers include:
·        WHS risk management
·        first aid
·        emergency procedures/fire safety
·        manual handling
·        working alone and/or in isolation          
·        safe home visiting
·        infection control
·        vehicle safety
·        slips, trips and falls
·        safe food handling
·        harassment and bullying
·        critical incident management
All training should be documented with records of training maintained.  This can include participant
lists, copies of certificates, course agenda, evaluation forms, etc.  Consider creating a training
calendar each year and identifying support workers who would benefit from specific topics.
In the Home and Community Care (HACC) sector, formal training also occurs as part of the
competencies for qualifications under the Community Services Training Package. The different
qualifications reflect various responsibilities and tasks, and each qualification has specific WHS units
of competency.
On the job training
New workers
Support workers new to their role usually require a combination of off, and on-the-job training. Some
home care organisations ‘buddy’ a new support worker with an experienced support worker for a
period of time allowing them to:
·        ask questions of someone who does the job they will be doing
·        build confidence in their role before working independently in clients’ homes
·        observe the organisation’s policies and procedures in action
·        obtain feedback in a non-threatening manner about their own performance.
When selecting a ‘buddy’ for a new support worker you should consider the work history and
experience of the buddy.  Make sure it matches with the work the new support worker will be
doing.  Also consider ethnicity and language.
During the buddy phase, the new support worker should be closely monitored by their supervisor, and
have regular contact to ensure any issues are identified and dealt with in a timely manner.
Consider whether new support workers must be certified competent in certain tasks prior to working
alone and ensure specific training in these tasks is included as part of the buddy phase.

Existing workers
Existing support workers may also require on the job training when a:
·        client has special needs that require specific training;
·        client’s circumstances have changed;
·        new piece of equipment or procedure is introduced that the support worker has not experienced.
Mentoring and peer support
It is important that support workers have the opportunity to meet with other support workers on a
regular basis to facilitate information sharing. Many organisations conduct a regular team meeting to
do this, whilst others use a peer mentoring system to provide effective on the job training.
An example of a Manual Handling Mentor Program is available here.
Training needs analysis
You need to actively consider the WHS training needs of your workers. Consider:
·        What do they need to know to do their job safely?
·        How often do they need to be reminded of policies, procedures and techniques?
·        Have circumstances changed which may necessitate training e.g. change to client and/or support
worker physical condition?
·        Is the worker competent at doing their job safely?
·        Have there been incidents which highlight the need for  training?
·        What is the support workers qualifications and experience?
·        What are the support worker’s career aspirations?
·        Do I need to train a support worker to be ready to take over from another?
For some high risk activities, consider whether formal competency assessment should be undertaken.
This entails having a step by step task description and observing the support worker doing the task.
Are they doing it in the correct manner? If not, is further training needed? Or do our procedures need
updating?
Consider how often support workers should be assessed for competency.

4: Australian Hardware (Wollongong)

WHS policy and procedures
 Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that work is carried out safely in accordance with Australian
Hardware’s ethical and legal obligations to provide and maintain a safe workplace. Australian
Hardware recognises its responsibility to provide a healthy and safe working environment for
employees, contractors, clients and visitors. Australian Hardware is committed to the continued
wellbeing of its employees and to ensuring that all employees are safe from injury and health risks
while undertaking work-related duties, including home-based work.
Scope
The scope of this policy covers all employees and contractors of Australian Hardware – Wollongong
Store.
Responsibility
Responsibility for the implementation of this policy rests with employees and management of
Australian Hardware with responsibility for providing a safe place of work.
Management at the Wollongong Store are responsible for:
●      consultation with employees regarding health and safety and changes to legislation and/or working
practices which may affect the workplace
●      providing and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for work
●      providing support, training, and supervision to employees to ensure a safe and healthy workplace
●      the provision of adequate resources for employees to meet health and safety management system
targets.
Individual employees are responsible for:
●      following all workplace health and safety policies and procedures
●      ensuring that they report all potential and actual risks to managers/supervisors
●      taking care to protect their own health and safety and that of their colleagues at work
●      ensuring that their own, or others’, health and safety is not adversely affected by the consumption of
drugs or alcohol
●      Encouraging others to follow healthy and safe working practices in the workplace.
Relevant legislation/standards
●      Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW)
●      AS/NZS 4804:2001 Occupational health and safety management systems – general guidelines on
principles, systems and supporting techniques.
Work Health and Safety
Name of Act
This Act is the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
Commencement
This Act commences on 1 January 2012 or on such later day as may be appointed by proclamation before
1 January 2012.

5. evelop a report on the proposed

    

WHSMS.
Australian Hardware
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 provides a framework to protect the health,
safety and welfare of all workers at work. It also protects the health and safety of all
other people who might be affected by the work.
All workers are protected by the WHS Act. This includes employees, contractors,
subcontractors, outworkers, apprentices and trainees, work experience students,
volunteers and employers who perform work. The WHS Act also provides protection
for the general public so that their health and safety is not placed at risk by work
activities.
The WHS Act places the primary health and safety duty on a person conducting a
business or undertaking (PCBU), who must ensure, so far as is reasonably
practicable, the health and safety of workers at the workplace. Duties are also placed
on officers of a PCBU, workers and other persons at a workplace.
The WHS Act also sets out the requirements for the following:

 incident notification
 consultation with workers
 issue resolution
 inspector powers and functions
 Offences and penalties.
Management or control of workplaces 
Effective management or control of a workplace means ensuring, so far as is
reasonably practicable, that there are no risks to the health and safety of anyone at a
workplace, or anyone who enters and exits a workplace.
It also means ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, there are no risks arising
from the workplace.
A workplace can include a vehicle, vessel, aircraft, mobile structure or any
installation on water where a worker goes, or is likely to be, while at work for a
business or undertaking.
A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU - the new term that includes
employers) with management or control of a workplace should:
 consult with workers when determining the adequacy of facilities for the
welfare of workers
 consult with other duty holders who may have a shared responsibility to
provide a safe physical work environment and facilities
 maintain the work environment and facilities in a safe condition   
 implement appropriate procedures for workers who work in remote or isolated
locations such as emergency procedures, communication and accommodation
 prepare, implement and practice emergency plans, to ensure that everyone
can be evacuated from the workplace in a controlled manner if an emergency arises.
Duties of a worker
A worker must, while at work: 
 take reasonable care for their own health and safety
 take reasonable care for the health and safety of others
 comply with any reasonable instruction by the PCBU
 Cooperate with any reasonable policies and procedures of the PCBU.
Training and assessment providers
Work Cover accredited assessors and approved Registered Training Organizations
(RTOs) and training providers must ensure they meet all their responsibilities and the
required standards of behavior when delivering their training and assessment
services.

It is the responsibility of service providers to make certain that they act in accordance
with the standards and the trust placed in them by the community.
Legislation and Codes for practice
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the
Federal Executive Council, makes the following Regulations under the Work Health
and Safety Act 2011 and the Work Health and Safety (Transitional and
Consequential Provision) Act 2011.
A code of practice provides details on how to achieve the standards required under
the work health and safety (WHS) legislation, by identifying hazards and managing
risks.
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011(WHS Act), codes of practices are
admissible in court proceedings. Courts may regard a code of practice as evidence
of what is known about a hazard, risk or control, and rely on it determine what is
reasonably practicable in the circumstances. A person cannot be prosecuted for
falling to comply with a code of practice.
A person with duties under the WHS Act can comply with their duties by following
another method, such as a technical or industry standard, if it provides a standard of
work health and safety equivalent to, or higher than the code of practice.
An inspector can refer to an approved code of practice when issuing an improvement
or prohibition notice and can offer the person to whom the notice is issued a choice
of ways in which to remedy the contravention. 
BSBWHS501A Ensure a safe workplace Assessment
Task 2

BSBWHS501A
Ensure a safe workplace
Assessment Task 2

Undertake consultation and manage WHS risk

  

Table of Contents

Managing WHS risk in your workplace

Step 1: hazard identification

Step 2: risk assessment

Step 3: risk control

Step 4: review

WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY (WHS) POLICY

Refer to WHS relevant legislation Codes of practice

Draft codes of practice

Identifying Hazards and Controlling Risks

Hierarchy of Control
 Hazard Control using the “Hierarchy of Control”

Elimination

Substitution

Isolation

Engineering Controls

Administrative Controls

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Developing a recordkeeping policy

Components of a recordkeeping policy

1.   Role play: Australian Hardware (Wollongong) WHS policy and procedures

Meeting minutes

2.         Aspect of planning or implementation of WHS risk management or WHS legislation

Determine safe storage of Fuel

                                                      

1. Managing WHS risk in your

      

workplace
Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation requires that all foreseeable hazards are identified and the
risks arising from these hazards are eliminated or controlled.

Risk management is a legal requirement for all businesses regardless of their size and basically it
involves asking the following questions:

·        What hazards exist in the workplace?

·        How serious are the hazards?

·        What can be done to control these hazards?

Risk management is a four step process whereby you identify hazards in the workplace, then assess
the risk of those hazards and then implement control measures, which will eliminate or minimise the
risk of injury from the hazards you identified.

Control measures which have been put in place must be reviewed periodically to check that they
actually fix the problem, without creating another one.

Step 1: hazard identification

Hazards can be identified through:

·        workplace inspections

·        incident reporting
·        register of injuries

·        consultation with employees

·        Feedback from employees.

There are a number of business activities which can involve risk to safety. These can include:

·        Purchasing: the equipment or chemicals purchased to run your business may introduce safety
issues (e.g. plant and equipment; cleaning agents)

·        Work activities: in carrying out work tasks the physical and psychological demands of the tasks,
equipment used, working environment can place employees at risk (e.g. repetitive movements, length
of time spent on the computer, air quality, materials handling)

·        Contractors/casual employees/customers: other workers who come into the workplace can be at

risk or place your employees at risk from the work activities they conduct (e.g. cleaning agents used
by cleaners, electrical contractors, verbal abuse by customers).

Step 2: risk assessment

Risk Assessment determines how likely and how serious the effects will be on people in the
workplace being exposed to the hazard. Work out which hazards are most serious and deal with them
first. To assess the risk, you should consider:

·        the type of hazard

·        how severely could the hazard injure or cause illness (consequence)

·        how likely is this consequence going to happen (likelihood)

·        the frequency and duration of exposure

·        who it may effect

·        capabilities

·        skills, experience and age of people

·        Layout and condition of the working environment.

Step 3: risk control

Risk Control involves deciding what needs to be done to eliminate or control the risks to health and
safety. Where possible, you should always try to remove or eliminate the problem from the workplace,
for example by using a different process, or changing the way a job is done.

If it is not possible to eliminate the hazard, the Hierarchy of Risk Control must be used to determine
the most effective measures to minimize the risks.

Hierarchy of risk control

1. Design or reorganize to eliminate the hazard from the workplace: try to ensure that hazards
are designed out when new materials, equipment and work systems are being planned for the
workplace.

2. Remove or substitute the hazard: where possible remove the hazard or substitute with less
hazardous materials, equipment or substances.

3. Enclose or isolate the hazard: this can be done through the use of barriers, introducing a strict
work area, enclosing a noisy process from a person.

4. Minimize through engineering controls: this can be done through the use of machine guards,
effective ventilation systems etc.
5. Minimize the risk by adopting administrative controls: establish appropriate procedures and
safe work practices such as job rotation to reduce exposure time or boredom; timing the work so that
fewer employees are exposed; routine maintenance and housekeeping procedures; training on
hazards and correct work methods.

6. Personal Protective Equipment: provide suitable and properly maintained personal protective

equipment and ensure employees are trained in its proper use (examples include gloves, earplugs
etc.).

If no single control is appropriate, a combination of the above controls needs to be taken to minimize
the risk to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable.

Step 4: review
Periodic reviews of control measures and risk assessments should be conducted to ensure the control
measures implemented are appropriate and effective and the risk assessments are still valid. This can
be achieved through safety audits, regular workplace inspections, consultation with employees and
review of incident investigations. Risk management should be built into all workplace activities that
can give rise to safety issues.

2. WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY

      

(WHS) POLICY
This policy recognizes that Australian Hardware is responsible for the health and safety of all
employees in the workplace. In fulfilling this responsibility we have a duty to provide and maintain a
working environment that is safe and without risks to health.

To meet the objectives of this policy, we are committed to regular discussions with employees to
ensure that health and safety issues are regularly reviewed. Health and safety is most effective when
a joint owner/manager and employee approach is used to identify and solve problems.

We are committed to continuously improving WHS by addressing hazards and reviewing outcomes.

Employer/ and managers/supervisors must ensure:

 Effective implementation of this policy.

 Their responsibilities under the Act and Regulations are met.
 Agreed procedures for regular discussion between managers and employees are followed.
 All workplace hazards are identified and risks assessed and controlled.
 Regular workplace inspections are conducted.
 Information, training and supervision are provided for all employees in the correct use of
plant, equipment, chemicals and other substances used.
Employees:

 Have a duty to take care of their health and safety and that of others.
 Must comply with safety procedures and directions.
 Must follow reasonable instructions.
 Must not willfully interfere with or misuse items or facilities provided in the interest of health
and safety.
 Must inform their manager or supervisor of hazards, accidents and near accidents occurring
at the workplace.
Visitors and contractors must:

 Not put themselves or any of our employees at risk.

 Abide by our safety policy and rules.
 Not enter restricted areas without permission.
This policy will be regularly reviewed in the light of changes to the workplace and changes in
legislation.

Management seeks cooperation from all employees in achieving our health and safety objectives and
creating a safe work environment.

3. Refer to WHS relevant

      

legislation Codes of practice
A code of practice provides details on how to achieve the standards required under the work health
and safety (WHS) legislation, by identifying hazards and managing risks.

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act), codes of practice are admissible in court
proceedings. Courts may regard a code of practice as evidence of what is known about a hazard, risk
or control, and rely on it to determine what is reasonably practicable in the circumstances. A person
cannot be prosecuted for failing to comply with a code of practice.

A person with duties under the WHS Act can comply with their duties by following another method,
such as a technical or industry standard, if it provides a standard of work health and safety equivalent
to, or higher than, the code of practice.

An inspector can refer to an approved code of practice when issuing an improvement or prohibition
notice and can offer the person to whom the notice is issued a choice of ways in which to remedy the
contravention.

All the retained codes of practice are available on this website.

The new WHS codes of practice available from 1 January 2012 include:

 Confined spaces
 Hazardous manual tasks
 How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace
 How to manage work health and safety risks
 Managing the risk of falls at workplaces
 How to safely remove asbestos
 Labeling of workplace hazardous chemicals
 Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work
 Managing the work environment and facilities
 Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals
 Work health and safety consultation, coordination and cooperation.
Model codes of practice agreed by the Select Council on Workplace Relations are provided as
guidance material until gazette in NSW:

 First aid in the workplace

 Construction work
 Preventing falls in housing construction
 Managing electrical risks at the workplace
 Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace
 Managing risks of plant in the workplace
 Safe design of structures
 Excavation work
 Demolition work
 Spray painting and powder coating
 Abrasive blasting
 Welding
The above model codes of practice are available from Safe Work Australia.
Draft codes of practice
A number of draft model codes of practice are in the process of being finalized and are provided as
guidance material until approved:

 Working in the vicinity of overhead and underground electric lines

 Safe design manufacture import and supply of plant
 Amusement devices
 Scaffolds and scaffolding work
 Tree trimming and removal work – crane access method
 Industrial lift trucks
 Formwork and false work
 Managing risks of plant in rural workplaces
 Cranes
 Managing risks in forestry operation
 Managing cash in transit security risks
 Traffic management in workplaces

The draft model codes are available from Safe Work Australia.

4. Identifying Hazards and

      

Controlling Risks
Being able to identify hazards is crucial in ensuring tasks are carried out safely. Your past experience
in the workplace may help you to identify some hazards, but remember to also use the skills and
knowledge of those around you to help.

Identifying hazards and controlling risk must be done continuously as new work processes, tasks,
equipment and workers come into the workplace. Part of this process may be to ask your employer to
employ or engage a suitably qualified occupational health and safety professional to come into the
workplace to provide advice on health and safety.

Some ways to identify hazards and control risks:

1. Talk with workers (including contractors) who are or will be performing any tasks to identify all
potential hazards and the best ways to eliminate or reduce risk.
2. Make sure you are aware of any high risk activities, work with new machinery or new work
processes before they happen.
3. Understand the hazards associated with tasks you supervise and have risk controls in place
before work starts. This could mean preventing work from being done while a safety issue is being
resolved.
4. Take action to resolve health and safety issues as soon as possible. This includes escalating
the issue to more senior management if necessary. Once agreement is reached on how to fix a
problem, implement it as soon as possible.

5. Hierarchy of Control
    
 Hazard Control using the “Hierarchy of Control”
Controls should be determined according to the “Hierarchy of Control” system described below. The
following control elements should be utilised in the order presented and where appropriate used in
conjunction.

1. Elimination

2. Substitution

3. Isolation

4. Engineering

5. Administration

6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Elimination
As the title suggests, this control measure involves eliminating or removing the risk in its entirety. For
example:

 Risk: High levels of manual handling when loading and unloading glassware onto trolleys
from shelving.
 Control: Store glassware directly onto trolleys hence eliminating the need to unload and load
from the shelves.
Substitution
This form of control involves substituting a safer process or material for the hazardous
process/material identified. For example:

 Risk: Cleaning solution causing allergic reactions and nausea.

 Control: Substituting a less toxic or non-allergenic cleaning solution for the task.
Isolation
This control involves separating the hazard or hazardous work practice from employees other work
areas. This may involve sectioning off the area by erecting barriers or by relocating either the
hazardous work practice or the „other‟ employees and their work practices. For example:

 Risk: Excessive noise emanating from machinery.

 Control: Enclosing the machinery or the personnel hence creating an isolating barrier
between the hazard and the person by using a barrier.
Engineering Controls
This method of control involves designing and/or adding physical safety features to plant or
equipment.

a)      Equipment and Workplace Design The provision of new and/or additional equipment or redesign of a
workplace can be used to control identified hazards. For example:

·         Risk: Animal handling.

·         Control: Hoists. Slide Boards.

·         Risk: A poor clerical workstation design resulting in a risk of injury to the back, neck, shoulder and
wrist.

·         Control: Re-design the workstation to recommended ergonomic specifications for the personnel
including the provision of equipment such as slope- boards, document holders, foot stools and
ergonomic chairs.

b)      Automation Fully or partially automating a process removes the need for, or reduces the risk of,
performing a hazardous task. For example:

·         Risk: Manual handling in washing glassware process.

·         Control: Introduction of an automatic washing system.

c)      Containment (ventilation, dilution, extraction) Containing or drawing away a hazard at the source so
that personnel are not exposed. For example:

·         Risk: Chemical fumes given off during cleaning, laboratory, or welding processes.

·         Control: Construction of a local extraction system to remove the fumes at the source.

d)      Guarding Guards must be provided when there is the potential for people to come into contact with
hazardous situations to ensure that no part of the person (including hair, clothing etc) can be caught in
the moving part. There are several different types of guards, movable/interlocked, fixed, and
photoelectric beam. For example:

·         Risk: Accessible high speed rotating parts on a machine

·         Control: Placing appropriate guards to prevent access to the rotating parts.

Administrative Controls
This type of control is most effective when used in conjunction with measures mentioned above or as
an interim control whilst more effective control measures are developed and implemented. It requires
systems to be established or amended in order to control the risk presented. Most often it requires the
assessment and modification of the task(s) performed. It may include measures such as:

a)      Amendment or establishment of new Policy and Procedures. For example: developing documented
safe work practices for a hazardous task, or implementing restrictive policy to prevent staff or students
from coming in contact with identified hazards.

b)      The introduction or review of existing maintenance schedules for plant and equipment, or safe work
practices. This measure is used to ensure that existing plant, equipment and procedures do not
deteriorate to the point where they become hazardous.

c)      Limiting the exposure of personnel to elements that are only hazardous when they exceed a certain
threshold. These types of hazards can include: noise, radiation, heat, chemicals, etc., and can be
controlled by introducing elements as simple as job rotation.

d)      Providing training and information in safe work practices and other workplace health issues so that
personnel can work safely.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE is not a particularly effective control method and should only be used:

a)      When all other control measures are impractical; or

b)      In conjunction with other more effective, control measures.

It is important to select the correct PPE for the hazard identified, and advice should be sought in this
regard if you are not sure (Health and Safety ext. 4900)
The above “Hierarchy of Control” provides a basic guide for controlling hazards in the workplace.
Consult your SHR and attempt to find solutions by working your way down the hierarchy. Once
appropriate controls are identified it is necessary to consult senior management and the staff that will
be affected by the changes. This will reduce the possibility of oversights and help to gain the support
of

6. Developing a recordkeeping policy

    

In accordance with Principle 4 of Information Standard 40: Recordkeeping (IS40), public authorities
are required to have an identifiable recordkeeping program, including documented policies and
procedures.

This Public Records Brief provides guidance to Queensland public authorities on developing a
recordkeeping policy.

A good recordkeeping policy will enable public authorities to:

 outline how records should be made and kept, including requirements for authorized disposal
 ensure compliance with legal requirements, information standards and the needs of the
government (including administrative, financial and accountability) and community
 formalise intentions and practices with respect to records management
 communicate to all staff the importance of good recordkeeping, and
 increase the ability of staff to create full and accurate records.
A recordkeeping policy also supports compliance with other requirements of IS40, including assigning
responsibilities, identifying requirements for records creation and outlining the legal and administrative
context for recordkeeping.

Components of a recordkeeping policy

The policy itself should provide recordkeeping directives and responsibilities clearly, in a way that is
easy to understand. Detailed advice on recordkeeping procedures or tools should be included in
supporting documentation.

Components of a recordkeeping policy may include:

Component Details

Purpose What are the aims of the policy?

Policy statement What is the public authority’s commitment to recordkeeping?

Scope of the policy What is the application of the policy? It should cover the entire
business of the agency, and records in all formats.

Policy context How will the recordkeeping policy relate to broader information
governance within the agency?

Legislation and Standards Recordkeeping requirements are set out in the Public Records Act
2002.  For an overview of relevant legislation, standards and policies
see the Queensland Government Recordkeeping Policy Framework1

Recordkeeping systems What recordkeeping systems does the agency use?

Responsibilities Who has recordkeeping responsibilities in the agency?

What positions, individuals or departments?

 See Public Records Brief: Recordkeeping Responsibilities: an
overview

Monitor and review of What is the review date of the policy?

policy

Authorization The policy should be authorized by the Chief Executive.

Include the date of authorization.

7. Role play: Australian Hardware

    

(Wollongong) WHS policy and

procedures
Participants:   Jinwoo, Eunjin, Jiyun, HSR, Store.

Eunjin:  - Dear HSR, I would like to talk about the real problem that I am not happy with: about
providing and maintaining a safe and healthy environment to work!

Jinwoo: - Yes, Mr HSR, It should be providing support and training and at least supervision to
employees to ensure a safe and healthy workplace.  We would like to hear some of them.

HSR:  - Marina, Robert. As individual employees you have to know all of workplace and health and
safety policies and procedures.

Jiyun: - Where can we find them?

Store: -Every single employee has to know them and you can find them in WHS 2011 NSW policy
and procedures

HSR: - That our responsibility to provide a safety workplace for our workers but that workers
responsibility to take care about your wrong safety.

Jinwoo: - Yes, we also would organise some training for other workers with a purpose of encouraging
others to follow healthy and safe working practices in the workplace.

HSR: - Yes you are right. Let’s organise it next Wednesday. Pl inform all our staff about

Eunjin: -Yes it will be done.

Meeting minutes
Risk Controls Monitoring Timelines Responsible

Difficulty Targeted Regular Monthly and store general

sourcing or advertising in investigation of quarterly managers and
training skilled trade magazines competitor general
and experienced and online. wages, seeking to operations
staff. match or better if managers.
Promotional
viable from
focus on training
budgetary
 and development perspective.
opportunities.

Regular training
for existing staff.

Wastage or Continuous Daily automated Daily monitoring Store general

unsaleable stock monitoring using monitoring (with managers,
Monthly and
from poor in-house ERM alerts for issues) general.
quarterly sales
inventory system and anticipation
and demand
maintenance and of demand
Daily contact with analysis
sales monitoring. through ongoing
suppliers.
research and
analysis in
consultation with
market research
consultants

8. Aspect of planning or
    

implementation of WHS risk

management or WHS legislation
Determine safe storage of Fuel
Personal Protective Equipment

Day Operations –Normal Requirements:

Safety footwear, eye protection (goggles), face protection, hand protection (gloves), overalls,
breathing protection. Ensure all PPE meets relevant Australian Standards. Inspect, and replace
PPE as needed.

Provide UV sun protection where required, (broad brimmed hat, UV rated clothing, SPF 30+
sunscreen, tinted safety glasses with adequate UV protection).

Safety notes

Petrol is classified as a flammable liquid. It evaporates at relatively allow temperatures and the
resulting vapour is highly flammable. Petrol is toxic, potentially causing eye/skin irritation, and if
swallowed. can be fatal. Diesel is classified as a combustible liquid. Diesel is less flammable than
petrol, however, in high temperatures, such as a fire

Meeting minutes
Risk Controls Monitoring Timelines Responsible

Difficulty Targeted Regular Monthly and store general

sourcing or advertising in investigation of quarterly managers and
training skilled trade magazines competitor general
and experienced and online. wages, seeking to operations
staff. match or better if managers.
Promotional
viable from
focus on training
budgetary
and development
perspective.
opportunities.

Regular training
for existing staff.

Wastage or Continuous Daily automated Daily monitoring Store general

unsaleable stock monitoring using monitoring (with managers,
Monthly and
from poor in-house ERM alerts for issues) general.
quarterly sales
inventory system and anticipation
and demand
maintenance and of demand
Daily contact with analysis
sales monitoring. through ongoing
suppliers.
research and
analysis in
consultation with
market research
consultants