HTTOHS300A: Contribute to OHS
processes
Contribute to hazard identification, OHS risk
assessment and risk control activities
Contents
Report identified hazards and inadequacies in risk controls
3
Risk control
Check the workplace for hazards using itemised checklist(s) in
accordance with work procedures
5
Contribute to risk assessments
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Risk assessment—check out the hazards
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Assessing hazards
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Analysing the likelihood and consequences of risk
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Use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) in assessing the risks
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Priorities for risk control
Provide input to development and implementation of control
measures, with reference to the hierarchy of control
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3
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Risk control—fix it
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Summary
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Certificate III in Children’s Services: HTTOHS300A: Reader LO 9652
© NSW DET 2010
Report identified hazards and
inadequacies in risk controls
Once hazards have been identified in the workplace it is important that they are
assessed for the level of risk posed to an individual and reported.
We will also consider the effectiveness of any of the controls that had been put in
place to manage the risk.
Remember not all control strategies put in place will be effective in managing an
identified hazard.
We must therefore report any inadequacies we see in the implemented controls
and keep in mind that elimination of risk should be the goal of risk management
not just decreasing the level of risk.
Activity 1
Risk control
Controlling workplace risks means doing what can be done to prevent problems
and protect people’s health and safety.
Clearly, the most desirable way of managing risks of work injury is to eliminate the
risk entirely, if this is possible. For example, if a noisy machine can be replaced
with a quiet one, the noise hazard has been eliminated.
If the risk cannot be eliminated, it should be minimised in whatever ways are most
likely to be practicable and effective. This could involve:
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substituting the process or substance with a safer one
designing premises or equipment so that it is safer to use
engineering controls (altering tools, equipment or work systems to make
them safer, eg. enclosing or isolating the hazard)
administrative measures (such as training workers in safe procedures,
organising suitable maintenance or housekeeping practices, job rotation
or changing work organisation)
using personal protective equipment (PPE—such as ear muffs, dust masks,
gloves, etc.)
Certificate III in Children’s Services: HTTOHS300A: Reader LO 9652
© NSW DET 2010
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This list of types of strategies is known as the hierarchy of risk controls (or the
hierarchy of hazard controls), because risk control should be accomplished using
strategies as close as possible to the top of the list (these are more effective).
In many cases it will be necessary to use more than one control method. PPE is
the least effective and should be the method of last resort, used only as an
interim measure or if no other measures are practicable.
This is because PPE often does not give as much protection as other types of
controls. For example, a dust mask will not give much protection if it is already
clogged up with dust, or if there is not a good facial fit for the wearer and dust can
enter the worker’s lungs via the gaps between face and mask. PPE can also be hot,
awkward or uncomfortable, and workers may neglect to wear it for some of the
time they are exposed to the hazard.
Risk controls which have been put in place should be monitored to check that the
risk is adequately controlled, and that the risk controls do not create new hazards.
Workers’ feedback is an important part of checking whether risk controls are
achieving their purpose.
Activity 2
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Certificate III in Children’s Services: HTTOHS300A: Reader LO 9652
© NSW DET 2010
Check the workplace for hazards
using itemised checklist(s) in
accordance with work procedures
In your centre you might have a list of duties and checks that have to be attended
to when you arrive for your working day. If you don’t have an OHS checklist, this is
a good time to incorporate it into your normal start of day activities.
Let’s look at a list of basic procedures that you would have to carry out.
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Disarm alarm.
Turn on all switches.
Turn on gas.
Turn on water.
Turn off answering machines.
I’m sure you can add further to this list those procedures that pertain to your
centre.
Now, if we have a good look at each task you can see that most, if not each, can
be incorporated into an OHS check at the same time.
For example,
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Turn on all switches.
Are they safe—working satisfactorily?
Are cords out of the way?
Are there liquids near the switches?
Are there frayed cords?
Are cords on floors, marked clearly, out of the way or safely covered?
Are cords tangled?
Are there too many plugs or adaptors in the one socket?
Do you get the idea? Now do this Activity.
Activity 3
You could also adapt the checklist mentioned in the topic ‘Plan and conduct work
safely’: http://www.childcare.tas.gov.au/pdf/dailyhazardchecklist.pdf
Certificate III in Children’s Services: HTTOHS300A: Reader LO 9652
© NSW DET 2010
5
Contribute to risk assessments
Risk assessment—check out the
hazards
Once hazards have been identified, you can then assess their significance. The
level of significance will determine the priority assigned to its elimination or
control. As we have seen, there are many types of hazards - physical, chemical
and biological for example, and methods for assessing them will differ. A few
general points need to be considered however, when assessing hazards.
Activity 4
The risk of back injuries from lifting and moving children or other loads is often
the most common hazard. So here are some ways to control the risks:
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Where possible, kneel rather than bend down. For example, if a child
needs comforting instead of bending over and picking the child up, sit
down and encourage the child to climb on your knee, or kneel so that you
are closer to the child’s level.
Minimise your bending by remaining close to the cot when lifting children
Never twist while lifting
Carry children only when necessary. The correct way is with one arm
under the child’s buttocks and your other arm supporting the child’s back.
At the same time, hold the child facing you, as close to your body as
possible. Try to avoid carrying a child on your hip because this may strain
your back.
When sliding, pulling or pushing equipment which is not easy to move, ask
for help and organise a team lift
Sit in an adult-size chair for reading
How to lift safely
Place your feet in a stride position
Keep your breastbone as elevated as possible
Bend your knees
Brace your stomach muscles
Hold the child/object close to your centre of gravity
Move your feet, not your spine
Prepare to move in a forward-facing direction.
Certificate III in Children’s Services: HTTOHS300A: Reader LO 9652
© NSW DET 2010
Assessing hazards
More than one cause
There may well be a number of factors which contribute to the probability and
degree of injury or illness for a particular hazard. For example, a chemical may be
toxic if spilt and absorbed through the skin; and a worker may not have been
trained in safe clean-up procedures.
Exposure
The significance of the risk of injury or illness may be affected by the level of a
worker's exposure to a hazard. For example, the hazard posed by exposure to a
solvent increases with the frequency and duration of exposure.
Severity
This concerns the extent of the injury or degree of harm which might be caused by
a hazard. A severe effect may even include death, permanent disability or an
illness such as cancer or hepatitis. Some examples are electrical hazards and
machinery; chemicals such as acids, and dust particles such as asbestos.
Human differences
Hazards need to be assessed in terms of the individual or groups of employees
who are exposed to them. Their skills, experience, training and physical
capabilities must be taken into account. The risk from manual handling hazards
can be increased by physical capabilities and experience in dealing with the
hazard.
Some examples that you’ll find when assessing hazards include:
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allergies: some workers experience allergic reactions when exposed to
certain chemicals or airborne particles
plant controls: fixed plant controls might not be manipulated in a totally
safe manner by all employees because of the difference of size and
strength between individuals.
performance standards: a changing workforce can significantly affect such
factors as experience, age and size of workers and these need to be taken
into account in setting or modifying performance standards.
Certificate III in Children’s Services: HTTOHS300A: Reader LO 9652
© NSW DET 2010
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The assessment of hazards can be a complex task and can involve expert technical
analysis such as air analysis, exposure level readings. In many cases it may require
the involvement of consultants to undertake such assessments.
Analysing the likelihood and
consequences of risk
This step is about analysing the likelihood and consequences of each risk
identified in order to establish the level of risk. The level of risk is determined by
the relationship between the likelihood (frequency or probability) and the
consequences (impact or magnitude of the effect) if the risk occurs.
Probability refers to the likelihood of an event occurring and severity refers to the
level of damage or injury that might arise as result of an occurrence. The
calculation of this risk could be referred to as the measurement of that risk. The
level of risk should by analysed in relation to any existing controls.
Severity is measuring the consequences of being exposed to a hazard. As a risk
assessor you are asking whether the hazard is so severe that it could kill or cause
serious injury (S), could require days off work (D) or first aid without loss of days
(F).
Likelihood is assessing how likely it is that a hazard will harm someone. This
likelihood will range from very likely (VL) to very unlikely (VU) depending on the
form of the hazard.
Hazard rating chart
WorkCover NSW
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Certificate III in Children’s Services: HTTOHS300A: Reader LO 9652
© NSW DET 2010
Hazard rating chart
In considering risks associated with hazards you are endeavouring to work out the
severity of possible harm and its likelihood of happening. Adding the assessment
of severity and likelihood together it produces a profile of the work
hazard/situation that can then be use to recommend action which will range from
immediate action required to no action required.
A range of risk assessment techniques are available, using either qualitative or
quantitative measures.
Use of Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS) in assessing the risks
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) are an important tool that can be used when
assessing chemical hazards.
MSDSs provide detailed information and data on safe handling of chemicals used
at work and assist employers to meet their general duty of care under the
legislation and develop a safe system of work.
MSDSs identify the physical and chemical properties of hazardous substances.
They detail the substance’s uses and provide health/hazard information, including
first aid requirements, as well as precautions for use, such as exposure standards,
engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) needed. Other
information provided included details on flammability and safe handling
procedures including storage and transportation, spills and disposal and
fire/explosion hazard factors.
You can obtain a copy of ‘Reading Labels and Material Safety data sheets” from
the following WorkCover NSW website. You should read it and make yourself
familiar with various safe storage methods.
www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/036D6A69-7A41-4107-947F88E14B6D8B5E/0/reading_labels_and_material_safety_data_sheets_0400.pdf
How to use MSDS
Anyone who uses hazardous substances at work should be familiar with the
information contained in MSDSs. MSDSs should be stored in a place accessible to
everyone so that they can be referred to when working with chemicals. MSDSs
provide valuable information such as:
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correct use and safe handling of products
engineering controls required, and
emergency procedures necessary.
Certificate III in Children’s Services: HTTOHS300A: Reader LO 9652
© NSW DET 2010
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Priorities for risk control
The purpose of workplace assessment is to determine priorities in risk control. We
shall now look at risk in more detail. But first, you may have noticed that the
words risk and hazard are often used interchangeably. So what is the difference
between hazard and risk? Strictly speaking, if something is hazardous it has the
potential to be harmful to health. The risk is the likelihood that harm will be
caused in the actual circumstances.
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Certificate III in Children’s Services: HTTOHS300A: Reader LO 9652
© NSW DET 2010
Provide input to development and
implementation of control measures,
with reference to the hierarchy of
control
Risk control—fix it
Controlling workplace risks means doing what can be done to prevent problems
and protect people's health and safety.
Clearly, the most desirable way of managing risks of work injury is to eliminate the
risk entirely, if this is possible. For example:
Raman just got caught up in a display of children’s artwork that had been
hung from the ceiling of the playroom. Although Raman was not injured
she was worried that the strings posed a strangling hazard for staff and
children.
Raman applied the first step in the hierarchy of control system and
removed the strings and instead displayed the artwork on the noticeboard
in the room.
In this case elimination and substitution has effectively removed the
strangling hazard and nothing further needs to be done.
Elimination is not always desirable though. Think about the tree mentioned earlier
that dropped leaves over the front access path to the service.
We could remove the tee with local council permission, however this tree
obviously provides shade in summer months – removing the tree introduces
another hazard - risk of sun damage caused by inadequate shade. We would
therefore need to consider other controls (possibly more than one) in this
situation to best manage the safety issue.
Certificate III in Children’s Services: HTTOHS300A: Reader LO 9652
© NSW DET 2010
11
Hierarchy of control
If the risk cannot be eliminated, it should be minimised in whatever ways are most
likely to be practicable and effective. This could involve:





substituting the process or substance with a safer one
designing premises or equipment so that it is safer to use
engineering controls (altering tools, equipment or work systems to make
them safer, eg. enclosing or isolating the hazard)
administrative measures (such as training workers in safe procedures,
organising suitable maintenance or housekeeping practices, job rotation
or changing work organisation)
using personal protective equipment (PPE - such as ear muffs, dust masks,
gloves, etc.)
This list of types of strategies is known as the hierarchy of risk controls (or the
hierarchy of hazard controls), because risk control should be accomplished using
strategies as close as possible to the top of the list (these are more effective).
To decide on the best method of controlling risks, you will need to ask:
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Is it possible to remove the risk at the design stage?
Can the hazard be eliminated?
If a machine or work practice be substituted to reduce the risk?
If the worker be isolated from the risk or the risk from the worker?
If safer work practices be developed and put in place?
If, as a last resort, personal protective equipment (ppe) can be used?
(note that ppe does not address the hazard.)
In many cases it will be necessary to use more than one control method. PPE is
the least effective and should be the method of last resort, used only as an
interim measure or if no other measures are practicable.
Personal protective equipment
Personal Protective Equipment or PPE refers to the equipment worn by workers
to reduce their exposure to risks. PPE is used as a last resort in the prevention of
workplace accidents. It is important to note that using PPE does not get rid of the
hazard. PPE is required for the protection of all or parts of the body depending on
the job.
This is because PPE often does not give as much protection as other types of
controls. For example, a dust mask will not give much protection if it is already
clogged up with dust, or if there is not a good facial fit for the wearer and dust can
enter the worker’s lungs via the gaps between face and mask. PPE can also be hot,
awkward or uncomfortable, and workers may neglect to wear it for some of the
time they are exposed to the hazard. Adequate resources need to be made
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Certificate III in Children’s Services: HTTOHS300A: Reader LO 9652
© NSW DET 2010
available to ensure risks are effectively controlled. PPE may be cheaper, but
effectiveness is a more important consideration, as short-term cost savings are
likely to result in higher costs in the longer term.
Risk controls which have been put in place should be monitored to check that the
risk is adequately controlled, and that the risk controls do not create new hazards.
Workers’ feedback is an important part of checking whether risk controls are
achieving their purpose.
Activity 5
Summary
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Remember all staff members have an important role to play in not only
hazard identification but also in developing and implementing controls.
Safety checklists conducted on a regular basis are an effective way of
identifying potential risks in the workplace
Risks are given a LOW, MEDIUM or HIGH rating depending on the level of
harm that may be caused to an individual/
Suggestions can be made at staff meetings or to your OHS representative
or supervisor.
Risk controls which have been put in place should be monitored to check
that the risk is adequately controlled, and that the risk controls do not
create new hazards.
Workers’ feedback is an important part of checking whether risk controls
are achieving their purpose.
Certificate III in Children’s Services: HTTOHS300A: Reader LO 9652
© NSW DET 2010
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