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stay safe @ workstay safe @ work

For students in NSW government For students in NSW government schools and TAFE NSW institutesschools and TAFE NSW institutes

August 2004

Vocational Education in SchoolsVocational Education in Schools D I R E C T O R A T ED I R E C T O R A T E

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Occupational Health and SafetyOccupational Health and Safety

Rights and Responsibilities

Legislation

A safe workplace

Risk Management

OH&S

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OH&S trends in NSWOH&S trends in NSW

◊ The incidence rate of employment injuries The incidence rate of employment injuries has dropped from 28.6 per 1000 workers has dropped from 28.6 per 1000 workers in 1994/95 to 20.3 in 2000/01.in 1994/95 to 20.3 in 2000/01.

◊ Since 1994/95 permanent disability cases Since 1994/95 permanent disability cases have declined.have declined.

◊ A total of 1,713 fatalities were reported A total of 1,713 fatalities were reported during the ten year period 1991/92 to during the ten year period 1991/92 to 2000/01.2000/01.

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OH&S Australian statisticsOH&S Australian statistics

◊ In 2000/2001In 2000/2001

– $30 billion was spent on payments to $30 billion was spent on payments to workers due to workplace injuriesworkers due to workplace injuries

– 200 workplace fatalities occurred200 workplace fatalities occurred

– 14,000 work related injuries were 14,000 work related injuries were reportedreported

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Which group of workers are Which group of workers are greatest at risk?greatest at risk?

◊ Young workers under the age of 25Young workers under the age of 25◊ New workers including those:New workers including those:

– entering the workforce for the entering the workforce for the first timefirst time

– re-entering the workplacere-entering the workplace– employed for less than 12 monthsemployed for less than 12 months– transferring to a new jobtransferring to a new job

◊ Male employeesMale employees

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Why?Why?

◊ Lack of experienceLack of experience

◊ Eagerness to pleaseEagerness to please

◊ Lack of training in OH&SLack of training in OH&S

◊ Lack of supervisionLack of supervision

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Youth statistics in NSWYouth statistics in NSW

◊ In 2000/2001In 2000/2001– 13 workers under the age of 25 were killed in the 13 workers under the age of 25 were killed in the

workplace. workplace. – all of these workers were male. all of these workers were male. – this represented 9% of all fatalities. this represented 9% of all fatalities. – oof these, seven were killed by vehicle accidentf these, seven were killed by vehicle accident

◊ Approx 4,500 workers under the age of 25 were injured.Approx 4,500 workers under the age of 25 were injured.◊ Some of these injuries were minor, allowing rapid return to Some of these injuries were minor, allowing rapid return to

work. Others were major and more incapacitating. Some of the work. Others were major and more incapacitating. Some of the young people will never be able to go to work again!young people will never be able to go to work again!

  

((Statistical Bulletin 2000/2001, WorkCover NSW)Statistical Bulletin 2000/2001, WorkCover NSW)

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Top 5 critical injuries to young Top 5 critical injuries to young workersworkers

◊ Broken bonesBroken bones

◊ Severe loss of bloodSevere loss of blood

◊ Head injuriesHead injuries

◊ AmputationAmputation

◊ Severe burns or scaldsSevere burns or scalds

WorkCover, NSW

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Top 5 causes of injury to young Top 5 causes of injury to young workersworkers

◊ Manual handlingManual handling

◊ Slips, trips and fallsSlips, trips and falls

◊ Being hit by moving objectsBeing hit by moving objects

◊ Falls from a heightFalls from a height

◊ Hitting moving objectsHitting moving objects

WorkCover NSW

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Consequences of workplace Consequences of workplace injuriesinjuries

◊ Financial costsFinancial costs

◊ Human costsHuman costs

◊ Social costsSocial costs

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Workplace injuries in NSWWorkplace injuries in NSW◊ In 2000/2001:In 2000/2001:

– The total number of employment injuries was 53,797.The total number of employment injuries was 53,797.

– There were 139 workplace fatalities.There were 139 workplace fatalities.

– The gross incurred cost of employment injuries was $1,138 The gross incurred cost of employment injuries was $1,138 million. million.

– Time lost for temporary disability cases was 398,838 weeks. Time lost for temporary disability cases was 398,838 weeks.

– The most common workplace injuries were sprains and The most common workplace injuries were sprains and strains (64%) accounting for a cost of $565 million.strains (64%) accounting for a cost of $565 million.

– Back injuries accounted for over 30% of workplace injuries Back injuries accounted for over 30% of workplace injuries and cost $270 million.and cost $270 million.

(Statistical Bulletin 2000/2001, WorkCover(Statistical Bulletin 2000/2001, WorkCover NSW NSW))

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What is a hazard?What is a hazard?

◊ Anything or any action that can lead to Anything or any action that can lead to someone developing an illness or being someone developing an illness or being injuredinjured

◊ Hazards can arise fromHazards can arise from– the work environmentthe work environment– the use of machinery and substancesthe use of machinery and substances– poor work design poor work design – inappropriate systems and proceduresinappropriate systems and procedures

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Types of hazardsTypes of hazards

◊ Types of hazards:Types of hazards:– physical eg. noise, radiation, light, vibration physical eg. noise, radiation, light, vibration – chemical eg. poisons, dustschemical eg. poisons, dusts– biological eg. viruses, plants, parasitesbiological eg. viruses, plants, parasites– mechanical/electrical eg. slips, trips and mechanical/electrical eg. slips, trips and

falls, tools, electrical equipmentfalls, tools, electrical equipment– psychological eg. fatigue, violence, bullying.psychological eg. fatigue, violence, bullying.

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Common workplace hazardsCommon workplace hazards

◊ Manual handling e.g pushing, pulling, Manual handling e.g pushing, pulling, carrying, liftingcarrying, lifting

◊ Work environment e.g. floor surfaces, Work environment e.g. floor surfaces, noise, temperaturenoise, temperature

◊ MachineryMachinery

◊ Heat e.g. burns and scaldsHeat e.g. burns and scalds

◊ Electricity e.g electrocutionElectricity e.g electrocution

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Common workplace hazards…2Common workplace hazards…2

◊ Harassment e.g. bullying and/or violenceHarassment e.g. bullying and/or violence◊ Hazardous substances e.g. chemicals, Hazardous substances e.g. chemicals,

fumesfumes◊ Biological wasteBiological waste◊ NoiseNoise◊ Confined spaceConfined space◊ Skin penetrating injuries e.g. knife or Skin penetrating injuries e.g. knife or

syringe injuriessyringe injuries

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Identifying hazardsIdentifying hazards

◊ Workplace inspectionsWorkplace inspections

◊ ConsultationConsultation

◊ Monitoring injury and illness recordsMonitoring injury and illness records

◊ Recording complaintsRecording complaints

◊ ObservationObservation

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Dealing with hazardsDealing with hazards

◊ Eliminate the hazardEliminate the hazard

◊ Change the equipment or materialsChange the equipment or materials

◊ Change work methodsChange work methods

◊ Use personal protection equipment (PPE)Use personal protection equipment (PPE)

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Risk managementRisk management

◊ Identify the hazardIdentify the hazard

◊ Assess the riskAssess the risk

◊ Eliminate or control the riskEliminate or control the risk

◊ Monitor and improve the workplaceMonitor and improve the workplace

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1. Identify the hazard1. Identify the hazard

◊ Know what the dangers are in the Know what the dangers are in the workplace. workplace.

◊ KeepKeep records of accidents and injuries records of accidents and injuries

◊ CConductonduct safety inspections of the safety inspections of the workplaceworkplace

◊ LList all plantist all plant and hazardous substances.and hazardous substances.

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2. Assess the risk2. Assess the risk

◊ Determine what the risk is that someone Determine what the risk is that someone may be injured. may be injured.

◊ AAssess how likely it is that a hazardous ssess how likely it is that a hazardous event will occur and what the event will occur and what the consequences are likely to be.consequences are likely to be.

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3. Control the risk3. Control the risk

◊ Implement measures to prevent injury or Implement measures to prevent injury or illness. illness. – eliminate the risk eliminate the risk iif possiblf possiblee– minimise the minimise the riskrisk using substitution, using substitution,

modifications, isolation or engineering modifications, isolation or engineering controlscontrols

– personal protective equipmentpersonal protective equipment (PPE) (PPE) should only be used as a last resort. should only be used as a last resort.

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4. Monitor and improve the 4. Monitor and improve the workplaceworkplace

◊ Control measures should be reviewed to Control measures should be reviewed to maintain their effectiveness and further maintain their effectiveness and further refine the process.refine the process.

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Hierarchy of controlHierarchy of control

◊ If elimination is not possible then:If elimination is not possible then:– substitutesubstitute– isolateisolate– minimise risk using engineering minimise risk using engineering

controlscontrols– minimise risk using administrative minimise risk using administrative

controlscontrols– PPEPPE

OH&SAct 2000

An Act of Parliament

OH&S Regulation 2001

Regulations give details on how certain sections of the Act are to be implemented. The Regulation calls on various Australian Standards and other standards and codes of practice to establish guidelines for particular OHS issues. Everything in the Regulation is law and must be followed.

Codes of Practice

Codes of practice give practical guidance on how the required standard of health, safety and welfare can be achieved in an area of work. They are approved under the OH&S Act by the Minister for Commerce.Sometimes Codes of Practice are ‘called up’ in Regulations and in these circumstances have the same legal force as the Regulation itself. Otherwise, Codes of Practice should be followed, unless there is an alternative course of action which achieves the same or better standard of health in the workplace.They can be used in support of the enforcement provisions of the OH&S Act or as evidence to support a prosecution for failing to comply with or contravening the OH&S Act or OH&S Regulation.

The Legal FrameworkThe Legal Framework

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The Legal FrameworkThe Legal Framework

◊ The new revised Occupational Health and The new revised Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 came into effect September Safety Act 2000 came into effect September 20012001

◊ The Occupational Health and Safety The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 replaces:Regulation 2001 replaces:– all existing OH&S regulationsall existing OH&S regulations– the Construction Safety Act 1912 and the Construction Safety Act 1912 and

regulationsregulations– Part 3 of the Factories, Shops and Part 3 of the Factories, Shops and

Industries Act 1962Industries Act 1962

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The OHS Regulation 2001The OHS Regulation 2001

◊ Areas covered by the new regulation are:Areas covered by the new regulation are:– Identification of all workplace hazardsIdentification of all workplace hazards– Implementation of measures to control risksImplementation of measures to control risks– Provision of training, instruction and supervisionProvision of training, instruction and supervision– Workplace consultation between employers and Workplace consultation between employers and

employeesemployees– Control of high risk hazards including plant, Control of high risk hazards including plant,

hazardous substances and hazardous processeshazardous substances and hazardous processes– Certification of operators of equipmentCertification of operators of equipment– Licensing of businessesLicensing of businesses– Notification notices to WorkCover NSWNotification notices to WorkCover NSW

Development of LegislationDevelopment of Legislation

Workers Compensation Workers Compensation ActsActs

Occupational Health and Occupational Health and Safety ActsSafety Acts

Workers Compensation Act Workers Compensation Act 19261926

Construction Safety Act 1912Construction Safety Act 1912

Workers Compensation Act Workers Compensation Act 19871987

Factories, Shops and Factories, Shops and Industries Act 1962Industries Act 1962

Workplace Injury Management Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation and Workers Compensation Act 1998Act 1998

Dangerous Goods Act 1975Dangerous Goods Act 1975

Workers Compensation Workers Compensation Legislation Amendment Act Legislation Amendment Act 20012001

Occupational Health and Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983Safety Act 1983

Occupational Health and Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000Safety Act 2000

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Workers CompensationWorkers Compensation

◊ Under the Workers Compensation ActsUnder the Workers Compensation Acts– workers are entitled to compensation for injuries workers are entitled to compensation for injuries

sustained in the course of employmentsustained in the course of employment– compensation is extended to any injuries occurring compensation is extended to any injuries occurring

while travelling to and from work and during lunch while travelling to and from work and during lunch breaksbreaks

– work related diseases contracted by an employee work related diseases contracted by an employee is covered by compensationis covered by compensation

– the employee must prove the injury arose during the employee must prove the injury arose during the course of employmentthe course of employment

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Workers Compensation…2Workers Compensation…2

– compensation is paid to family members in the compensation is paid to family members in the case of deathcase of death

– compensation will not be granted if the worker is compensation will not be granted if the worker is involved in wilful misconduct unless death, serious involved in wilful misconduct unless death, serious injury or permanent disability occursinjury or permanent disability occurs

– employees must make all effort to return to work employees must make all effort to return to work and the employer must provide suitable and the employer must provide suitable employment for injured workersemployment for injured workers

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Responsibilities of the EmployerResponsibilities of the Employer

◊ Provide a safe working environmentProvide a safe working environment◊ Provide a safe system of workProvide a safe system of work◊ Provide proper training and informationProvide proper training and information◊ Identify hazards, assess the risks and Identify hazards, assess the risks and

eliminate or control the riskseliminate or control the risks◊ Provide supervisionProvide supervision◊ Supply personal protective equipment and clothingSupply personal protective equipment and clothing◊ Consult with employeesConsult with employees

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Responsibilities of the Responsibilities of the Employer..2Employer..2

◊ Provide amenitiesProvide amenities◊ Provide first aid facilities and personnelProvide first aid facilities and personnel◊ Provide for emergenciesProvide for emergencies◊ Ensure OH&S committee members and Ensure OH&S committee members and

representatives are trainedrepresentatives are trained◊ No victimisation or unlawfully dismiss of an employee is No victimisation or unlawfully dismiss of an employee is

allowedallowed◊ No charge to employees for things doneNo charge to employees for things done

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Responsibilities of the EmployeeResponsibilities of the Employee

◊ Take reasonable care for the health and safety of people who are Take reasonable care for the health and safety of people who are at the place of workat the place of work

◊ Co-operate with the employer or other personCo-operate with the employer or other person◊ Notify the employer or supervisor of any risk to health and safetyNotify the employer or supervisor of any risk to health and safety◊ Not to interfere with or misuse things provided for health, safety Not to interfere with or misuse things provided for health, safety

and welfareand welfare◊ Not hinder aid to an injured workerNot hinder aid to an injured worker◊ Not to refuse assistance in either receiving aid or giving aidNot to refuse assistance in either receiving aid or giving aid◊ Not to disrupt the workplace by creating health or safety fearsNot to disrupt the workplace by creating health or safety fears

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Occupational Health and Safety Occupational Health and Safety Committees and RepresentativesCommittees and Representatives◊ Continual review of measures to ensure Continual review of measures to ensure

health and safetyhealth and safety◊ Investigate any matter that poses a riskInvestigate any matter that poses a risk◊ Attempt to resolve a heath and safety issueAttempt to resolve a heath and safety issue◊ Request an investigation by a WorkCover Request an investigation by a WorkCover

inspectorinspector◊ Consult with a WorkCover inspector and Consult with a WorkCover inspector and

accompany them on an inspectionaccompany them on an inspection

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Responsibility of a WorkCover Responsibility of a WorkCover InspectorInspector

◊ To investigate any suspected breach of To investigate any suspected breach of the Occupational Health and Safety the Occupational Health and Safety Legislation in a place of workLegislation in a place of work

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Tips for young workersTips for young workers

◊ Take responsibility for your own safetyTake responsibility for your own safety

◊ Know what to look for when entering a Know what to look for when entering a new or different workplacenew or different workplace

◊ Know what questions to ask about the jobKnow what questions to ask about the job

◊ Report any health and safety concernsReport any health and safety concerns

◊ Follow all safety proceduresFollow all safety procedures

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Ask your supervisor….Ask your supervisor….

◊ What are the dangers of my job?What are the dangers of my job?◊ What are the hazards?What are the hazards?◊ Should I have any job safety training?Should I have any job safety training?◊ Do I need any personal protective Do I need any personal protective

equipment?equipment?◊ Should I be trained in how to use my PPE?Should I be trained in how to use my PPE?◊ Where are the first aid facilities?Where are the first aid facilities?◊ Who is the first aid person?Who is the first aid person?

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Ask your supervisor….Ask your supervisor….

◊ What do I do if I get injured?What do I do if I get injured?◊ Where are the fire extinguishers?Where are the fire extinguishers?◊ Where are the emergency exits?Where are the emergency exits?◊ How will I know if there is an emergency?How will I know if there is an emergency?◊ What should I do in an emergency?What should I do in an emergency?◊ Who do go to in the workplace if I have a health or Who do go to in the workplace if I have a health or

safety question?safety question?

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Interactive web sites of interestInteractive web sites of interest

◊ Safety Zone, WorkCover NSW Government Safety Zone, WorkCover NSW Government http://workcover.cadre.com.au/index_1st.htmlhttp://workcover.cadre.com.au/index_1st.html

◊ Interactive Café, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland Interactive Café, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland Government Government

http://http://www.whs.qld.gov.au/cafeonline/index.htmlwww.whs.qld.gov.au/cafeonline/index.html◊ Living Safely with Electricity, Workplace Health and Safety Living Safely with Electricity, Workplace Health and Safety

Queensland GovernmentQueensland Government

http://http://www.eso.qld.gov.au/electricity/index.htmlwww.eso.qld.gov.au/electricity/index.html◊ Hunt for Hazards, Workcover Corporation South Australian Hunt for Hazards, Workcover Corporation South Australian

Government Government http://www.workcover.com/learning/school/schhazardhunt/default.ahttp://www.workcover.com/learning/school/schhazardhunt/default.aspsp