Participate in Workplace Safety and Procedures
Contents
Page Number
Unit Outline
2
Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety Issues
3
Occupational Health and Safety Laws.
4
Occupational Health and Safety Representatives and
Committees
6
Warning Signs and Symbols
7
Identifying Hazards
8
Risk Assessment and Control
9
Young People and Injury at Work
10
Workstation and Ergonomics
11
Occupational Overuse Syndrome
13
Setting Up Your Workstation
13
Office Environment Hazards
16
Manual Handling
16
Workplace Hazards
17
Social and Psychological Hazards
19
Glossary of Terms
20
1
Participate in Workplace Safety and Procedures
This unit covers general Occupational Health and Safety requirements in business organisations and is
essential for employees without managerial or supervisory responsibilities.
Critical aspects of evidence
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Hazards are recognised and reported to designated personnel
 All relevant workplace procedures are accurately followed
 Hazards and risks in the workplace are communicated
Contribution is made to the management of Occupational Health and Safety of the workplace at
level of own responsibility
2
Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety Issues
Workers didn’t always have the right to a safe workplace. The campaign for better working conditions
by workers, unions and governments has changed attitudes toward the role of the worker and the high
cost of preventable industrial accidents.
Effective occupational health and safety in the workplace requires the attention of everyone, not just
management. According to workers compensation statistics produced by Workcover NSW in 1999/00
the new laws and a heightened awareness has resulted in employment injuries falling at a rate of 3.3%
each year for the last five years.
Safety is everyone’s responsibility
The cost of workplace injuries is enormous to our society through compensation monies and lost
production time.
It is important for you to understand that when you become a member of the workforce either through a
casual or part time position or as part of your work placement that your employer has a responsibility
towards you, and that you have responsibilities towards them.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 and the supporting Occupational Health and Safety
Regulations 2001 outline both the employers and employees responsibilities. Work Cover is the
governing body that ensures that the regulation and act are upheld in the workforce.
Every year, thousands of Australians are injured at work.
Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) is focused on preventing accidents, injuries and illness in the
workplace.
In Australian workplaces, workers are exposed to a range of potentially hazardous environments and
situations. In Australian workplaces in 2005.
• 500 workers died from injuries
• 2200 died from work related disease
• One in twelve workers had an accident!
*** This module is a guide to OH&S will assist you to build the knowledge and skills you need to
remain safe from workplace injury through applying OH&S principles in your work. ***
Occupational Health & Safety Authorities
There are Ten OHS authorities in Australia.
WorkSafe Australia and your state/territory OHS authority can provide advice about how to create a
safe and healthy work environment. The Ten authorities come under two categories as listed below.
National
WorkSafe Australian
National Occupational Health and Safety
Commission, (NOHSC)
Sate/Territory
ACT WorkCover
WorkCover Authority of NSW
Victorian WorkCover Authority
Workplace Health and Safety QLD
WorkSafe Western Australia
Work Health Authority Northern Territory
Workplace Standards Authority Tasmania
WorkCover Corporation South Australia
3
Occupational Health & Safety Laws
The NSW Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000
Laws that protect the occupational health and safety of workers are relatively new. NSW was one of the
first states to develop performance based legislation. This legislation was first produced in 1983 and in
2000 was reviewed and a new Act was implemented. The Act is now known as the NSW Occupational
Health and Safety Act of 2000 The Act was developed through the cooperation of government.
employers and unions.
The main feature of the Act is that it encourages both employers and employees to deal with workplace
health and safety issues through a consultation process using OH&S committees and representatives.
All states and territories have legislation covering OH&S. These may vary slightly from state to state
but they all follow the same basic principles.
 Ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees
 Protect other people at the workplace, such as visitors. subcontractors and customers
 Promote a working environment for employees which is adapted to their physical and
psychological needs.
 Provide a simpler framework for protection of employees which uses Codes of Practice,
Standards and Joint Consultation to improve work place health and safety.
 review all other associated OH&S legislation so that it may be progressively updated and
included in the OH&S Act.
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
The NSW Occupational Health and Safety Act of 2000 is supported by the Occupation Health and
Safety Regulation 2001 . These regulations deal with specific issues in greater detail than the Act. eg
Issues relating to first aid and manual handling. Both the Act and the Regulations are enforced by law
and workplaces not meeting the standards required can be heavily fined. They have been created to
clearly define the rights and responsibilities of both the employer and employee.
Legislation
By law, employers, employees and contractors have important obligations in terms of health and safety.
These obligations are outlined in legislation (law).
There are many different types of legislation, as shown in the pyramid below. Health and safety
legislation in Australian states is generally in the form of an Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Within the Act are specific Regulations that refer to Codes of Practice. Some Regulations and Codes of
Practices refer to specific Standards.
Not all of these elements are enforceable at law, but each has an important role in informing employers,
employees and other stakeholders about their legislative responsibilities and helping them to meet their
legal obligations.
4
Acts
The Occupational Health and Safety Acts of the various states set out the legal obligations of
employers, employees and self-employed people as well as those who manufacture substances and
build or occupy a premises.
The Acts set out general duties of care and refer to Regulations and Codes of Practice.
The Acts provide a compulsory (mandatory) requirement for employer and employee involvement in
improving and implementing health and safety standards.
Regulations
Regulations under the occupational health and safety Acts refer to specific areas of occupational health
and safety including manual handling, asbestos and noise.
The aim of Regulations is to protect people at work against the hazards and risks associated with
specific activities. While the Acts set out general duties of care for the range of stakeholders in
occupational health and safety, the Regulations set out specific duties.
Regulations must be complied with. Section 47(1) of the Occupational Health & Safety Act (1985)
states that failure to comply with Regulations made under the Act is an offence.
Codes of Practice
Codes of Practice have been developed to provide guidance in implementing relevant Regulations. For
example, the Code of Practice - Manual Handling (2000) provides practical guidelines for meeting
requirements of the Manual Handling Regulations (1999).
Unlike Regulations, Codes of Practice are not mandatory. Section 55(8) of the Occupational Health &
Act (1985) states that failure to observe a provision of an approved Code of Practice is not in itself a
breach of the Act. A person or company may choose to comply with the Regulations in some other way
as long as that method also fulfils the requirements of the Regulations.
However, in practice, there is generally a heavy reliance on complying with these Codes as they are
often used in court as evidence. Failure to follow an approved Code of Practice can be used as evidence
of non-compliance with provisions of the Act or Regulations.
Standards
Standards may developed by any organisation. They are not mandatory, however should be used as a
minimum guide. Some organisations set out minimum standards that are recognised by the community
as being acceptable and these form minimum requirements.
The two organisations in Australia that set community accepted standards for occupational health and
safety are the Standards Association of Australia and the National Occupational Health and Safety
Commission (WorkSafe Australia).
These standards are sometimes referred to in state occupational health and safety legislation.
5
Occupational Health and Safety Representatives and Committees
It is the responsibility of all employees, including you, to contribute to health and safety in your
workplace by;
 Recognising hazards and potential risks.
 Reporting hazards and potential risks to the appropriate person.
 Preventing hazards and potential risks by following your OHS policies and procedures.
You can become involved by being elected as an OHS representative or by
joining a health and safety committee.
Small businesses usually have one person who acts as a representative for the
company.
Large businesses may have a committee made up of employees and employers
from representing the sectors of the business.
Each state and territory has guidelines about how to set up committees.
WorkCover Authority of NSW recommends that committees have eight members who are selected to
represent everyone in the company. They suggest that the committee should try to include;
Both Males and Females
Different Cultures
Each Shift
Each Department or Section
Different Trades, Skills and Work Activities
Different areas of Hazard Exposure
Such committees meet regularly to discuss health and safety issues, making sure that there is
cooperation and understanding between the employer and the employees.
You can speak to your OHS representative when you are concerned about anything which may affect
the health and safety of you or others in the workplace.
First Aid
Your company is required by law to provide first aid to all employees. This usually includes a first aid
kit or cupboard, a first aid officer and possibly a first aid room.
First Aid Kits
First aid kits must be accessible in case of an accident. They must be located within 100m of your work
area. First aid kits usually contain the basic items such as bandages, band-aids, tweezers, eye wash,
antiseptic cream and swabs. It should be checked regularly to ensure it is complete and all products are
within there use-by date.
First Aid Officer
In large companies there may be more than one first aid officer and possibly a first aid room and nurse.
In small companies the first aid officer may also be the OHS representative.
Emergencies
Emergencies are rare, however it is extremely important to know what to do in case of fire, an accident,
a bomb threat or threatening behaviour from another person.
Practising emergency drills is a useful way to check that everyone understands what they are supposed
to do.
6
Warning Signs and Symbols
Standard safety signs are used in companies to:
 Communicate information about hazards
 Inform people of the need to use personal protective equipment (PPE)
 Help people in an emergency
Following are symbols common to most workplaces.
Stop signs
Signs which indicate that you must not do something.
These signs have a circle with a white background and red borders
and cross bar with a black symbol.
Caution signs
Signs which warn you of a danger to your health or safety.
These signs have a triangle with a yellow background with black border and black
symbol.
Emergency information signs
These signs are rectangular with a green background and white symbol.
Mandatory signs
These signs indicate What you must do.
They have a circle with a blue background and white symbol.
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Identifying Hazards
A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause injury or harm.
There are two parts to Hazard Identification
1) Identify the types of possible injuries or illness involved, (eg strained wrist muscles from
repetitive computer data entry tasks or tripping on boxes left in the walkway).
2) Identify the situations or events that could give rise to the injuries or illness, (eg a badly
designed workstation, poor lighting, long periods of work without a break).
Hazards in a workplace can arise from a number of sources including:
 Poor workplace design
 Hazardous tasks being performed in the workplace
 Poorly designed plant being introduced into the workplace
 People being exposed to hazardous substances, processes or environment
 Incorrect installation, commissioning, use, inspection, maintenance, service, repair or alteration
of plant in the workplace
People undertaking hazard identification should have the necessary training to look for:
Mechanical hazards
Non-mechanical hazards
"drawing in" points
ergonomic hazards
engulfment
shearing points
manual handling
biological hazards
impact and crushing areas
electrical shocks and burns slipping, tripping and falling hazards
cutting areas
chemical burns, toxicity,
falling objects
entanglement areas
flammability
high pressure fluid
stabbing points
noise
high temperature objects
vibration
working in very hot or cold conditions
radiation
suffocation
mist, dust, fumes
Classification of Hazards The six major types of hazard are:
1. Physical
2. Psychological
noise
shift work
vibration
workload
lighting
dealing with the public
electrical
harassment
heat
discrimination
cold
threat of danger
nuisance dust
low level constant noise
machine guarding working
space
4. Chemical
5. Ergonomic
gases
tool design
dusts
equipment design
Fumes
job/task design
vapours liquid
workstation design
manual handling.
8
3. Biological
infections
bacteria
viruses
6. Radiation
microwaves (infra-red,)
ultra-violet
lasers (non-ionising)
gamma rays (ionising)
Risk Assessment
A risk it the likelihood of injury or illness arising from exposure to any hazards.
Once the hazards have been identified, they should be listed for a risk assessment to be carried out in
consultation with the relevant health and safety representatives and employees.
The purpose of risk assessment is to determine whether there is any likelihood of injury, illness or
disease associated with each of the potentially hazardous situations identified in the hazard
identification process If the likelihood that anyone will be exposed to a situation under all possible
scenarios is nil, then there is no risk and no additional risk control measures are required.
There are 3 easy steps to reducing risks
1. Find the problem. (Identify)
Be observant and responsible in your workplace and identify any potential hazards. Report them to the
OH&S committee or your supervisor.
2. Check it out (Assess)
Assess how the hazard can hurt someone and how badly they may get hurt. The greater the potential
the greater the urgency to fix the problem
3. Fix it (Control)
If you are able to fix the problem yourself then do so immediately; (eg cleaning up a spill and putting
up a ‘beware’ sign). If not then you should inform your supervisor so they can decide the best way to
control the problem
Risk Control
Risk control is taking action to control the risks in the workplace.
 Under the OHS legislation, companies are required to introduce new control measures to
eliminate the risk, or if that is not practicable, to reduce the risk so far as is practicable, if the current
measures are found to be inadequate and there is a likelihood that injury, illness or disease will result
from a particular situation.
Once you have reported risks to the relevant person, a risk-control process should take place.
This may involve;
 Removing the hazard from the workplace
 Substituting the plant or substance with another one that is less hazardous
 Using engineering controls (eg modifying the design of the workplace or plant, or
environmental conditions)
 Isolating people from the source of exposure
 Changing the objects used in the task involving manual handling
 Using mechanical aids for manual handling tasks
Once the new risk control measures are in place, you need to make sure that they are maintained.
Consult with the relevant employees to identify whether there are new hazards requiring attention. If
there are, then repeat the hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control processes.
You can contribute to the risk control process by making sure that you are aware of the hazards and
risks in your workplace and that you report hazards and risks to the relevant person.
9
Young People and Injury at Work
Young people have a greater chance of getting hurt at work than do older workers - about a 75%
chance.
This is not because young workers are more careless (although some may be!). But young workers do
not have experience of the hazards that more experienced workers know about and also often take time
to adjust to their new role as a worker who must take responsibility for their own safety.
A simple rule of thumb in any work situation is never to take anything for granted - what at first may
seem harmless could turn out to be dangerous and what seems like simple fun could become lifethreatening.
Another point to always remember is that you are not alone, that there are people who can help and that
you should never have to do something that you think could be dangerous or unhealthy. You cannot be
bullied into doing something or fired for not doing it. People at work must look after one another and
not cause anyone else to have an accident. Workers can be fined for putting other people's health and
safety at risk.
Remember:
 There are laws in NSW which mean that the boss must make sure that the work is done safely.
 Unsafe workplaces are against the law
 You cannot be fired for complaining about a safety issue
 You should be given training in safe work procedures, the use and operation of equipment and
the handling of hazardous materials
 You must work in a safe way and co-operate with your boss and follow established health and
safety rules.
A good way to find out if a situation is dangerous is to first look for any potential hazards. If you find
any then investigate them further and then try and get the hazards fixed
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Your Workstation
Workstations should be designed around the people who use them, the tasks they perform and the types
of equipment that they use.
A workstation may include a desk, chair, drawers, filing cabinet, document holders and shelves. The
needs of a manager might include a large area with a space for a desk, 2 chairs, shelves and filing
cabinets where as a data entry clerk might require an adjustable chair, height adjustable desk and
document holders.
The hazards to look for in your workstation design are
 Adjustability; is the workstation flexible and large enough for the work to carry out their duties
efficiently, comfortably and safely?

Posture and movements; does the workstation place the worker in the best position to carry
out their daily tasks?
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the study of work, its environment and conditions in order to achieve maximum
efficiency. It is also the design of work in relation to individual people and their physical and
technological environment.
Ergonomic studies have revealed one major fact – there is no average person! Everyone is different ant
the physical work environment has to accommodate these differences. Modern office equipment and
furniture is now been made with adjustable settings in order to accommodate individual differences.
Ergonomics in office work relate to;
* Software Design * Equipment * Posture * Layout * Noise * Lighting * Work Organisation
Software Design
Badly designed software can be hazardous if it does not meet the needs of the user. Well designed
software combines mouse and keyboard commands to reduce strain on your hands and arms.
Equipment and Posture
It is important that the equipment you use is adjusted to suit your body shape and size and tasks that
you are doing. Computer screens and monitor’s height and viewing angles can be adjusted to suit the
user.
Chairs designed to ergonomic principles provide proper support for the user and their height and angles
can be adjusted.
Other office equipment that can improve your posture include;
 Document holders
 Angle boards or inclined supports for reading
 Adjustable footrests.
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Desktop
Everything on your desktop including equipment and resources should be arranged within easy reach.
Your desk can be arranged into three areas;
1) The optimum reach sector – the area close to you where your hands operate most of the time.
2) The maximum reach sector – further away but still easy to reach.
3) The outer reach sector – where you may have to stand to reach items.
Make sure that you arrange your desk with;
1) Frequently used objects such as the keyboard close to you.
2) Intermittently used objects such as the phone out of the way but within easy reach.
3) Less frequently used resources such as trays in the outer reach zone.
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Occupational Overuse Syndrome
Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) is also called Repetitive Strain Syndrome, (RSI). It is the
name used to describe a number of conditions that result in pain and discomfort in your muscles and
tendons. OOS is caused by tasks that involve repetitive movements, poor posture or forceful
movements. It can occur in the office environment when you repetitiously and/or for long periods of
time;
 Use a keyboard
 Look at a computer screen or other surfaces
 Fold large quantities of paper
 Concentrate hard on a particular task
 Engage in heavy work loads
You can design your job and tasks to reduce the risk of OOS by taking regular breaks and sufficient
variety of tasks. You can also arrange your equipment to allow you to work comfortably. It is also a
good idea to stretch now and then.
Radiation from the Screen/Monitor
Screens and monitors emit low levels of electromagnetic radiation, just like many household
appliances. The best protection from the electromagnetic radiation is your screen as most of the
radiation is emitted from the back of the machine. If you are located at the back of a screen or monitor
you should suggest that the workstation is rearranged. Generally you should be seated at least 50cm
away from a screen/monitor.
Setting up your Workstation
Overview
Good ergonomic practice is important to get the most from your personal computer and to avoid
discomfort. This means that the equipment and the workplace should be arranged to suit your
individual needs and the kind of work that you do.
We have compiled ergonomic guidelines to help you minimize physical discomfort that may
accompany prolonged static postures and repetitive motions.
Chair
The chair is one of the most important items in your workplace. It can encourage good posture and
circulation and so help you to avoid discomfort. Select a chair that is comfortable for you; it should be
adjustable and provide good back support. You should adjust your chair so that:
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Your thighs are horizontal and there is support for your lower back.
If your chair has insufficient adjustment, lower back support may be improved with a cushion.
Your feet rest flat on the floor when you are seated and using your keyboard. If you cannot do
this, your chair is probably too high and you should use a footrest. You should change your
sitting position occasionally during the work day. Sitting in a fixed position for too long can
induce discomfort.
Telephone
You should be able to reach the phone without severe stretching or standing up. A good place to have
your telephone is in the optimum reach sector. If you use the phone for long periods of time you mey
require a headset.
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Keyboard and mouse
Comfortable use depends on keyboard height, arm position and touch. You are seated correctly if:
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The keyboard is positioned so that your arms are relaxed and comfortable, and your forearms
are roughly horizontal.
Your shoulders are in a relaxed position, not hunched up.
Your wrists should be extended straight, not bent up or down uncomfortably.
If you use a wrist/palm rest, it should NOT be used while actually keying but in between
periods of keying.
Your hands should glide over the keys. Hands remaining in a fixed position cause fingers to
over-reach for the keys. Use a light touch
for keying, keeping your hands and fingers relaxed.
Place the mouse close to the keyboard so that you can use it without stretching or leaning over
to one side.
Display
Most displays feature a variety of adjustments which enable you to set up your equipment in a way
most comfortable to you:
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Make sure that you position the screen to minimize glare and reflections from overhead lights,
windows and other sources.
It may be helpful to put an anti-glare filter on the front of the screen when it is impossible to
avoid reflections or adjust lighting.
Adjust the display so that the top of the screen is slightly below eye level for comfortable
viewing.
Position yourself and the display to achieve and maintain a comfortable viewing distance,
usually about 20 to 24 inches (50 to 60 cm).
Keep your head in a comfortable but upright position.
Set the contrast and brightness of the screen at a comfortable level.
As the light in the room changes, adjust the contrast and brightness, if necessary.
Clean your screen, anti-glare filter and eyeglasses on a regular basis.
Consult your vision care specialist if you experience eye fatigue or discomfort.
Workplace organization
The way you organize the elements of your workplace to fit your individual needs is probably the most
important consideration in working comfortably. You can save time and effort throughout the work day
by taking a few minutes to think about the best position for your equipment and the most effective use
of your space.
Make sure that you:
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Have sufficient desk area which allows you to position your keyboard, mouse, display,
document holder and other items (such as a telephone) in the way that works best for you.
Organize your desk to reflect the way you use work materials and equipment. Place the things
that you use most regularly, such as a mouse or telephone, within the easiest reach.
Vary your tasks and take periodic breaks. This helps to reduce the possibility of discomfort or
fatigue.
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15
Office Environment Hazards
A well deigned office enables people enough space to work comfortably, effectively and safely. A
typical office layout may include workstations, meeting rooms, reception areas, corridors, storage and
kitchen areas.
During the course of the day you will most likely visit different areas of the office and the company.
There are many hazards to be aware of ion the office. The more hazards you know about the easier it is
to avoid them.
Various hazards include;
 Floor Surfaces
 Location of office equipment
 Filing Cabinets
 Storage Systems
 Machines including printers, faxes, phones etc
 Equipment such as staplers, letter openers, hole punches, guillotines etc
 Noise, air and light
Manual handling
Manual handling is not only lifting objects but also includes any activity that requires you to use force
to lower, push, or stop a person or thing
Manual handling injuries include:
 Strains and sprains;
 Neck and back injuries;
 Slips, falls and crush incidents;
 Cuts, bruises and broken bones
 Hernia; and
 Occupational overuse syndrome (OOS), once known as RSI (repetitive strain injury).
Manual handling of heavy and awkward objects is still responsible for one of the largest causes of
workplace injury and time loss in NSW. People who suffer from a manual handling injury at work may
be permanently injured and have to spend the rest of their lives with limited abilities and in pain.
Part of the responsibility of the employer should be to inform and trained you in:
 Safe manual handling methods;
 Specific manual handling hazards;
 Safe work procedures;
 Using manual handling aids; and
 The right to ask for help.
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Workplace Hazards
Slips, trips and falls
Slips, trips and falls are common accidents in the retail workplace and they often lead to serious injury.
WorkCover NSW indicates that one in every five injuries are related to slips trips or falls and this costs on
average $12,000 per person and 10 weeks off work. This is a huge cost for the person involved and the business.
A slip or fall can cause injury to the arms, legs, back, neck or head. Neck and head injuries can cause damage to
the spinal cord and nervous system. Many employees have suffered permanent disabling injuries or death as a
result of a fall.
Slippery surfaces in the retail industry can be found in places such as cool rooms, freezers, deli areas, meat
rooms, bakery areas, food preparation areas, storage areas and any area where moist products and liquids are
likely to be spilled.
Fatigue
The effects of fatigue are often overlooked in the workplace. It can however cause serious accidents if
care is not taken.
Often in the retail industry you may have to stand up for long periods of time. This may cause
discomfort and back pain in particular and may be made worse. There are some things you and your
employer can do to reduce fatigue.
 Your employer could provide a stool or "standing chair" and vary your tasks so that you do not
have to stand for long periods of time.
 You should wear low heeled, comfortable, covered shoes to help reduce fatigue.
 It is important to take regular rest breaks.
 Your employer should allocate time for rest breaks and to vary tasks throughout the day, and
also enough time for you to gradually get used to a new job.
 Talk to your employer or supervisor if a stool is not provided or you have difficulty in trying to
handle too many demands at once.
Emergency Exits
In the event of a fire or other emergency you workplace will have an alarm of some kind. You need to be aware
of what the different alarms mean. It is also essential that you are aware of your workplace’s emergency
procedures and escapes. Failure to ensure this knowledge could result in not only harming yourself but others.
There are some basic rules for emergency exits that should also be observed.
Never block fire escapes by storing materials in the exits or exit passages.
Never lock fire escapes during working hours.
Workplaces have organised emergency procedures that their staff should be aware of and practice. In retail
establishments not only the staff need to be considered but also the safe movement of their customers in the
event of an emergency.
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Chemical Hazards
Photocopiers
Some of the hazards of photocopiers include:
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ozone emissions;
toner dust;
light;
heat and noise; and
Photocopiers need to be located in well ventilated
rooms or work areas, and
be properly maintained in order to
reduce the hazards of emissions,
heat, noise, and toner dust.
discomfort and strain to those using them for long periods of
time
Always follow the manufacturer's directions when using a photocopier and do not operate it with the
lid open to avoid exposure to bright light emissions.
If copying and collating large quantities, a comfortable working height and careful arrangement of
work space are necessary, as well as alternating of photocopying and collating tasks with other nonrepetitive tasks. This will reduce the likelihood of discomfort and strain.
Ventilation
Adequate ventilation is essential not only where photocopiers are located, but throughout the office
environment to provide fresh air. The use of synthetic materials in the construction and furnishing of
buildings, emissions from equipment, and sealed buildings with refrigerated air conditioning contribute
to work place hazards associated with ventilation.
Biological Hazards
Biological agents are found in many sectors of employment. They are rarely visible and so workers are
not always able to appreciate the risks they pose. They include bacteria, viruses, fungi (yeasts and
moulds) and parasites.
Bullying and Violence
'Bullying and occupational violence are issues that must be seriously addressed by businesses, the
workforce and the community. Employers need to assess the risk, ensure control measures are in place
and join with the workforce to ensure it does not become a problem.' (From WorkSafe Victoria's
'Prevention of Bullying and Violence at Work' Guidance Note)
Bullying and violence are legitimate OHS issues - and workers and elected OHS reps have an
important role to play in ensuring that their workplaces have adequate policies and procedures in place
to prevent bullying and violence occurring as well as ensuring that any alleged instances are dealt with.
Stress
Stress at work can lead to illness and injury. Expecting workers to somehow “cope” with stress is no
answer. The answer lies in identifying what are the workplace factors contributing to stress (stressors)
and then working to remove or reduce them. You will often hear employers saying, “Stress is a fact of
life, and sometimes it’s good for you.” Don’t be fooled, stress is not good for workers, and many
workplace stressors can be controlled. If it can’t be eliminated altogether, stress at the workplace can be
greatly reduced.
Air Conditioning & Legionnaires Disease
Many workers spend long periods of time indoors, in air-conditioned buildings. If the air-conditioning
system is not maintained, a number of problems, some potentially lethal, can occur.
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Heat
Heat, whether 'seasonal' or part of the 'normal work environment', can be a hazard - working in heat can
lead to workers suffering serious illness and can also lead to increased accidents. Cold
Cold
Working in cold conditions is a hazard with many thousands of workers exposed to cold in
environments such as outdoor work in winter months, freezer plants, meat packinghouses and cold
storage facilities.
Noise
Noise is of the most widespread and underestimated of workplace hazards. Workers exposed to high
noise levels are at risk of suffering permanent noise induced hearing loss. Noise at lower levels can also
be a hazard.
Social and Psychological Hazards
Some hazards are harder to identify than others. Health studies have shown that administrative workers
often suffer a lot of work stress. Social and psychological hazards can still occur in a well-designed,
comfortable, well lit, ergonomically designed office.
Some of the social and psychological hazards to look out for are as follows;
Variety
Working at the same task everyday can lead to boredom, physical strain and stress.
Independence
You feel better about your position if you are involved in the decision making process and asked for
your opinion about changes that may affect you.
Feedback
You need to know how well you are doing your job. You need constructive positive and negative
feedback. A healthy office is one where lines of communication between staff are open.
Social Interaction
Working in an office can mean working with lots of different people. You must not allow your personal
likes, dislikes, preferences or prejudges influence the way you interact with the people you work with.
Job Demand
Stress can be caused by overwork and under work. You need a healthy balance where tasks are
challenging but not unachievable.
Achievement
Jobs need to be designed and or structure so that all employees have a worthwhile role in the company.
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Glossary of Terms
Authorised Officer – a person from a union given legal power to enter a workplace on occupational
health and safety issues
Consultation – the sharing of information and exchange of views on occupational health and safety
matters between managers and workers or their representatives.
Casual Work - Often temporary work which does not offer the protection of a permanent job. Casual
employees are not usually entitled to benefits associated with continuous employment - although they
are often entitled to a 'loading' on top of the rate for permanent workers. This is designed to compensate
for missing out on sick leave, holiday pay and other benefits.
Duty of Care – the responsibility of the employer to look after the health and safety of people at work
Employee – a person who carries out work for the employer
Employee representative – a person elected by employees to represent them on the occupational
health and safety committee.
Employer – the organization or individual who employs people to carry out work for them. This
includes self employed people.
Fatigue – extreme tiredness
Forum – a place or meeting in which people can exchange ideas.
Fracture – crack or break in a bone
Hazard – anything that might cause harm to a person
Hazardous substance – products that can harm a person’s health causing illness, injury or disease. For
instance cleaning solvents and hairdressing chemicals.
Joint Consultation – exchange of ideas and opinions between all the parties involved.
Management – People who hold a higher degree of responsibility in a company or organisation; those
who govern or control; executives.
Manual handling – the lifting, lowering and moving of objects by a person. For instance carrying
boxes or house bricks.
Occupational health and safety – keeping people safe and healthy in their workplace by minimizing
accidents, injuries and diseases.
Occupational Health and Safety Act – the main law in NSW covering the rights and responsibilities
of employers and employees. In relation to OH&S it outlines the fines and penalties for breaking these
laws.
Occupational sealth and safety committee – a group where consultation between employer and
employee representatives takes place.
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Occupational overuse syndrome (OOS) – is an injury caused when using your body in unnatural
positions or carry out repeated actions. For example at the computer or being on a factory assembly line
or playing music for a long time. Problems occur in muscles, joints or tendons.
Part-time work - Part-time workers are permanent employees who have a set number of weekly
working hours. Many part-time workers receive benefits like those of full-time workers on a
proportional or pro rata basis.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) – equipment used by workers to protect them from hazards in
the workplace such as safety boots and helmets, gloves, goggles, aprons or sunscreen.
Plant – any machinery, equipment or tools used to assist work.
Psychological needs – the needs or requirements of the mind.
Physical needs – the needs or requirements that concern the body.
Regulation – a specific part of the occupational health and safety law that details how to carry out
work safely.
Risk – the probability that harm might come to a person
Risk management – the process of managing risks caused by hazards in the workplace. Risk
management involves hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control.
Safe work method – the way employees should be trained to do a job safely.
Standards – level of quality that is considered acceptable.
Stress – when a person becomes ill because of mental strain through pressure of work.
Supervisor – the person chosen by the employer to organise and oversee the work carried out by
employees.
Union – an industrial organization that represents workers
Workers compensation - a payment from an employer to an employee for injuries orillness caused at
work.
WorkCover NSW – the NSW government organization responsible for enforcing occupational health
and safety law.
Workplace – the premises of the employer and any place where an employee carries out work.
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