Safety in the Swaggies Office

1. Follow Workplace Safety Procedures Unit BSBCMN106A waggies Australian Gifts Safety in the SwaggiesOffice Follow Environmental work procedures Unit BSBCMN109A

2. What is Workplace safety? Maintaining the health, safety and welfare of employees and others in all workplace environments

3. On successful completion of this unit you will be able to • Recognise and report any workplace hazard • Comply with procedures to assess and control risks • Follow workplace procedures in emergencies • Contribute to safety in the workplace through consultation with employers, employees, OHS representatives.

4. OHS has a long history • OHS was recognised in the late 1700’s in Britain. Nothing meaningful was done about it. • During the 1800’s and through the depression years of the early 1900’s and through the years of WW 1, WW 2, there were many people who were out of work and desperately took whatever work could be found no matter what the conditions.

5. In the 1970’s Australian governments (State and Federal) made OHS an issue and put in place legislation that covered the health and safety of all workers in all occupations - The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1983. This is now the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 2000.

6. Is the Australian workplace hazardous? • The Australian National OHS Commission estimates • 650,000 Australian work injuries per year • that’s 1 worker in 12 • 1 in 5 workers need more than 5 days to recover • 2,900 work-related deathseach year • that’s nearly 1 ½ times the number of fatal road accidents a year

7. Is the workplace hazardous worldwide? • The World Health Organization estimates • 250 millionaccidents occur each year • 330,000 deaths • 160 million occupational diseases

8. Lost production Absenteeism Medical bills Increased WorkCover or insurance premiums Unwanted publicity Replacement or repair of damaged equipment Training of new or casual staff Poor company image Fines or prison! Accidents and Injuries can be costly

9. Bad backs (lifting) Lung diseases (breathing toxic chemicals) Burns (hot machinery parts) Hearing loss (noisy machinery) Cuts (sharp construction tools) Crushing injuries (moving objects) Skin diseases (irritating substances) Broken bones (falling) What are some typical work-related injuries?

10. WorkCover Authority of NSW • The statutory authority that administers OHS legislation in NSW • Provides advice on rights and responsibilities concerning OHS, rehabilitation and workers compensation • Investigates causes of accidents, injuries and illnesses • Issues licenses for hazardous operations, eg. for the handling of dangerous chemicals

11. What is the National Occupational Health Safety Committee? Federal authority that considers the laws, regulations and procedures covering health and safety to all workers.

12. Whose responsibility is workplace safety? Employers and Employees are both responsible

13. EMPLOYERS have a ‘duty of care’ (by law) to provide a safe workplace. Managers and supervisors MUST help employers meet this responsibility. Consult with employees on OHS matters Assess likely hazards Control and minimise hazard risks Provide information to workers Employer’s Responsibilities

14. Employer’s Responsibility con’t • Consult with workers (through OHS reps and committees) • Organise safe work systems • Improve understanding (by instruction/training) • Provide protective clothing and equipment

15. Employer’s Responsibility con’t • Ensure tools/equipment/machines are safe • Supervise inexperienced workers • Monitor the workplace • Keep records of inspections and injuries

16. TrainingEmployers MUST provide: • Training to OHS representatives and Committee members • Training to all workers to ensure Health and safety

17. EMPLOYEES (YOU) must take care of your own safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions. You MUST co-operate with your employer. Work/behave in a safe way Take care not to endanger the safety of others Follow employer instructions Operate equipment safely and only for the intended purpose Use personal protective equipment Employee’s responsibility

18. Employee’s responsibility con’t • Cooperate with your employer • Do not willfully/recklessly interfere or misuse equipment • Ensure you are not affected by alcohol or drugs • Report hazards • Report work-related injuries, near misses

19. Recognise and report workplace hazards

20. A hazard is something that has the potential to cause harm. This harm can affect people by causing injury, illness, death or psychological trauma. Website: www.nohsc.gov.au What is a hazard?

22. Checklist of Hazards in the Working Environment Date: Area: What to look for: Look at all areas and compare to the standards provided below. Some aspects may not be applicable. A "no" response to any question indicates an area that will need further assessment.  PASSAGEWAYS FUMES/VENTILATION  EXIT/EGRESS ERGONOMIC FACTORS  NOISE LAYOUT (of workplace) LIGHTING .

23. What should you report? • Any event that results in injury or disease - no matter how minor - is reportable • Dangerous occurrences or events - including a near miss that endangers the health or safety of a person • Any event that results in death Employees have a LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY to report any accident or incident

24. Who do you Report Hazards to? • Your Supervisor • Supervises New Employees • Coaches and mentors team members • Communicates between senior management and workgroups • OHS Committee • Formal body that resolves OHS issues • Reviews OHS measures • Investigates OHS matters • Solves OHS problems • Develops OHS policies, procedures and programs • Comprises both employees and employer representatives • Must be established when >20 employees

25. Who do you report hazards to? • OHS Representative • Elected to represent designated workgroups • Review OHS measures • Conduct inspections • Accompany an OHS inspector • Provide input into development of OHS systems and emergency preparedness procedures • Know about particular hazards • Keep up-to-date with information injuries and health • Communicate with management/workers about changes • Make recommendations about training • Must be elected even if requested by only one employee

26. Comply with procedures to assess and control risks In an Office Environment

27. Hazard Categories The FOUR categories of hazards we will look at are: • Physical Hazards, eg OOS, posture • Manual Handling hazard, eg lifting • Chemical Hazard, eg Toxic substances • Psychosocial Hazard, eg Stress

28. What are the FOUR steps to identify and control a hazard • Identify the hazard – what is it • Assess the risks – what is likely to happen • Control the risks – preventative measures • Evaluate the solutions – were the preventative measures: • appropriate • successful

29. Let’s take a closer look at Occupational Overuse Syndrome • What is it? • OOS relates to the repetitive use of the same muscles over an extended period of time • What does it affect? • Muscles • Tendons • Soft tissues in the neck, back, shoulders, hands, fingers, wrists, elbows

30. Who does OOS affect? • Office workers • Cleaners • Hairdressers • Kitchen workers • Drivers • Mail sorters • Painters • Musicians • Process workers on assembly lines (packers, sorters, pressers) • Construction workers (bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers and tilers) • PEOPLE IN MANY DIFFERENT OCCUPATIONS

31. What are OOS symptoms? • Soreness/Swelling • Muscle discomfort • Stiffness • Numbing and tingling • Fatigue • Burning sensation • Aches and pains • Weakness

32. How can you prevent OOS? • Adjust your workstation layout • Adjust furniture • Maintain correct posture • Exercise to stimulate blood flow • Reduce repetitive tasks • Take regular breaks • Rotate the work tasks • REPORT any signs of OOS immediately

33. When a new computer is installed Ergonomically sound office design layout Ergonomic office furniture installed Training on the new equipment provided by employer OHS training (safe work habits) If you experience any wrist soreness You would report problem to supervisor An OHS rep would inspect workstation and write a report You would consult a doctor and obtain report You would be transferred to alternative duties, temporarily or permanently Employer would closely monitor your progress What happens when new equipment is installed

34. What is an ergonomic workstation? ‘Ergonomic’ means setting up the work environment to suit individuals. Making the environment work for you, not against you.

35. Ergonomically-friendly equipment • Adjustable Keyboard/Monitor • Glare screen • Wrist wrest • Document holder • Adjustable ergonomic furniture • Footstool • Noise shield for printers

36. Basic principles of correct postureTo reduce fatigue and reduce risk of body injury and strain when using a computer • Adjust your chair and workstation • Support your lower back with the back of the chair • Place your feet flat on the floor or use a footrest • Have your ankles, knees and hips at right angles • Clear the desk of all unnecessary materials

37. Do these exercises Hands and Arms With your forearms rested on a table in front of you, turn your palms up then down. With your fingers straight, spread your forefingers and middle fingers apart, then together. Touch your forefinger to your thumb forming a ring, repeat for each finger. Repeat sliding the finger tip to the base of your thumb. Bend your wrist to 90 degrees and make a fist

38. Neck and Shoulders Start with your head upright and relaxed. Lower your chin toward your chest and return. Tilt your head back and return. Start with shoulders still and head forward. Bend your head toward your left shoulder, then return. Repeat on your right side.

39. Stretching Just getting up, walking around and stretching will remove any stiffness and tension from prolonged sitting down. Do these exercises slowly until you feel a mild stretching sensation. Stretch your forearm by putting your palm flat on the chair and gently straightening your arm.

40. Eyes • Blink often to stop eyes becoming irritated by surface drying • Reduce screen brightness • Fit a glare screen • Keep the screen dust-free Look out the window for a moment or two. Posters, photo murals, wall hangings or tapestries will give relief to your eyes if there is no window in your room.

41. Any activity which involves Pulling Pushing Raising or lowering Lifting Holding Carrying For Example: Carrying files Lifting books Placing items on shelves Moving chairs CAN YOU THINK OF SOME MORE? Let’s take a closer look at Manual Handling

42. Who does Manual Handling? • Office workers • Nurses • Builders and tradesmen • Shop assistants • Cleaners • Animal handlers • Just about anyone!

43. Assess the load • Position the feet • Take a proper hold • Balance the weight • Keep back straight • Arms tucked in • Lift with the legs Manual Handling techniquesLifting

44. Where gloves when handling toners • Store toners in a separate well ventilated storage area • Do not inhale toner ‘dust’ • Wash hands after use Chemicals and Toxic Substances

45. Wear Protective Clothingas provided by your employer • Overalls • Protective safety boots • Safety gloves • Safety helmets • Safety masks, goggles • Respirators • Ear protectors

46. HousekeepingHousekeeping is more than keeping an office tidy. It is also about keeping it safe and healthy. Can you find 8 potential hazards?

47. Psychosocial HazardsStress • Work related psychosocial injuries cost five times more than work-related physical injuries • Psychosocial hazards are often called stress. • Stress is the physical, mental and emotional reaction to demands made upon us as individuals • Psychosocial hazards are difficult to identify and their affects may not appear for some time.

48. Stresscan: • Occur suddenly (eg a payroll hold-up or terrorist attack) • Build up over time (eg work overload) • Be continuous (eg conflict with another worker or manager) • Be intermittent (eg work overload at certain times such as at the end of the financial year, stocktaking, etc).

49. Are you stressed? Poor concentration Weight loss Anxiety Insomnia Poor memory Overeating Tension Headache Dizziness Skin rashes Fatigue Reduced appetite Aggression Irritability Indigestion Depression

50. What can you do for stress? • Exercise regularly • Eat nutritiously • Get enough sleep • Find time for yourself • Switch off from work and other responsibilities • Have a hobby