This topic should provide you with the ability to:
Share information on safe work practices with members of the work group
Check the OHS practices of less experienced members and provide guidance and coaching to less experienced members
Support members of the workgroup to accurately record incidents and complete associated workplace documentation
Section 2.1 Share information on safe work practices and work procedures with members of the work group
Senior management in an organisation is responsible for obtaining OHS information, keeping up-to-date with OHS issues and passing on information to middle management and employees. This helps ensure that supervisors can effectively manage risks in their areas, and employees are kept informed of anything that may affect their health, safety and welfare.
There are many external and internal sources of OHS information that can be accessed, including:
Sources of OHS information
Employees involved in the task
Managers and supervisors
OHS committee or OHS representative
Maintenance personnel
Workers’ compensation insurer
WorkCover NSW
Industry organisations
Safe Work Australia
Training providers
Fire Services
Manufacturers and suppliers of plant and equipment
OHS Consultants
Auditors
Unions
Medical professionals
Engineers and other professional advisors
Activity 2.1
We mentioned above that Fire Services personnel could be a source of information for risk control. How could they help an organisation implement risk controls?
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
MSDSs provide important information about the:
correct use and safe handling of a product
precautions for the safe handling of the product
required engineering controls
personal protective equipment and clothing (PPE) that must be worn when using the substance
training and information needed to use the product
emergency procedures, including first aid, spills and disposal.
We can use the information contained in a MSDS to develop hazardous substance procedures and risk management strategies. Management and employees should read the information and devise control strategies based on this information.
All employees should have access to MSDSs so that they are informed about the types of substances they use in the workplace and the risks associated with them. People vary in their tolerance to substances and need to take special care to prevent individual reactions. Providing MSDSs is a legislative requirement.
Activity 1.4
Locate a MSDS at your workplace OR use your favourite Internet search engine to locate a MSDS online. Try and choose one that relates to your workplace.
View the format and details in this document – in particular, look at the precautions for use and first aid recommendations.
Policy and procedures manual
An organisational policy and procedures manual can play an important role in controlling risks. A manual provides a documented, uniform and systematic approach to workplace operations and compliance. All relevant staff should be consulted when developing manuals. All new staff should be introduced to the policy and procedures manual during their induction training.
Advice is provided regarding personal protective equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a risk control measure that requires a great deal of consultation. Wearing PPE can have an enormous impact on an employee’s work methods and techniques and any proposal to introduce PPE is often charged with emotion and resistance, for various reasons.
Clause 15 Provision by an employer of personal protective equipment of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 outlines the legal requirements for wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) if this is chosen as a risk control measure.
Before an employee is expected to carry out a task using PPE, the employer must ensure that the employee is instructed and trained (and deemed competent) in the use of the particular PPE. The manufacturer/supplier may provide information to the employer who should then pass on this information to the employee.
Induction training
OHS induction is a process undertaken to ensure that everyone starting a new job has the knowledge and skills necessary to do their work safely. Induction is by definition of a preliminary nature and does not necessarily include providing and assessing all competency and skills training necessary to undertake specific work activities.
Procedures need to be established to provide the three generally recognised components of health and safety induction – generic, site-specific and job-specific. These three components are not necessarily conducted as discrete and separate processes.
Generic induction: This component of induction training covers the general knowledge and basic OHS skills which are relevant to the type of workplace and work activities.
Workplace specific induction: This component covers the necessary knowledge and skills to commence work safely in a particular work environment. It should cover the organisation’s OHS policy; basic safety rules and reporting requirements; the organisation’s risk identification, assessment and control activities; and emergency procedures.
Job specific induction: This aims to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to perform a specific work activity safely.
