Participate in WHS processes

Section 2 Weeks 8 – 11

Supporting others in working safely

Recap Week 8 -

September 5th 2013

Contributing to WHS in the workplace

Worker/PCBU responsibilities and contribution

WHS maintenance by workers

Maintenance of WHS training

Health and safety representatives

Health and safety committeesTraining package Pp 54 - 58

Worker/PCBU responsibilities and contribution

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 is important as it sets out responsibilities for everyone in the workplace.

Under the act the main duty of the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) is to provide a safe and healthy workplace for workers or other persons. To achieve this the PCBU must ensure a -

• Safe systems or work• Safe work environment• Accommodation for workers, if provided, is appropriate• Safe use of plant, structures and substances

Worker/PCBU responsibilities and contribution

• Facilities for the welfare of workers are adequate• Notification and recording of workplace incidents• Adequate information, training, instruction and

supervision is given• Compliance with the requirements under the work

place and safety regulation• Effective systems are in place for monitoring the

health of workers and workplace conditions (WorkCover 2012)

Worker/PCBU responsibilities and contribution

It is against the law for workers to be dismissed from the workplace for complaining about health and safety issues. If workers are worried that health and safety issues are not being adequately addressed in the workplace they can contact WorkCover NSW or a representative of their union.

Worker/PCBU responsibilities and contribution

Workers have the right to:• A safe and healthy workplace• Safe ways of working• Safety information• Health and safety training• Safety equipment• Be able to comment about health and safety issues• Elect members to a health and safety committee• Leave the work areas in order to report a safety problem• Be consulted by PCBU's about health and safety concerns(WorkCover 2012)

WHS maintenance by workers • It is imperative that in any workplace, in any industry

and organisation each worker is proactive in maintaining a clear, clean and tidy work area. Prevention of accident, injury and illness in the workplace involves a commitment from the management, the unions and workers. It cannot be effective unless everyone fully participates.

• It is the responsibility of each worker to maintain the equipment that they use and to notify any malfunction to a supervisor.

WHS maintenance by workers • Equipment must be kept clean and must be stored in

the correct area as soon as possible after use.

• Exits must be clearly marked and must not be blocked by equipment or rubbish.

• Rubbish should be cleared away regularly.

• Staff must participate regularly in training provided regarding WH&S.

Maintenance of WHS training

• Ongoing training at all levels is essential for the prevention of accidents and the maintenance of a a safe workplace.... Managers, union representatives and workers must all participate in safety programs.

• Managers MUST provide a safe work environment and provide/promote a health and safety program

• Unions – if onsite – must support management in the above

• Workers must always work with a safe attitude and safe work practices and participate in the above programs as required

Maintenance of WHS training

• There must be open communication and consultation between workers and management regarding WHS

• In most organisations there will be certain mandatory programs that must be undertaken at the commencement of employment regarding health and safety.

• Would this be a part of an induction process?• What would be covered?

Consultation activities

In what ways can workers contribute to WHS in the workplace?

Consultation activities

• Attending meetings• Completing surveys• Receiving feedback from management about issues

raised at meetings/daily work/through surveys• The consultation process MUST acknowledge the

opinions of everyone• Consultation can be achieved through1) Health and safety representatives, and2) Health and safety committees.

Health and safety representatives

Their role is to facilitate the flow of information about health and safety between the PCBU and the workers by -

• Representing workers relating to WHS matters• Monitor WHS actions taken by the PCBU• Investigate WHS complaints from workers• Investigate possible hazards/risks in the workplace.

Health and safety committeesHealth and safety committees bring together workers

and management to assist the development and review of health and safety policies and procedures for the workplace by, -

• Encouraging co-operation between the parties listed above

• Assist in developing standards, rules and procedures relative to health and safety (WorkCover 2012).

WORKING SAFELY

LET US FINISH THE SESSION WITH A VIGNETTE FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD AUSTRALIA – CONTINUING ON FROM OUR OBSERVATIONS OF PLAYGROUNDS AND THE NOTION OF WHAT RISK IS IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA.

Talking about practice series – Adventurous play – Developing a culture of risky play part 2

• How did the staff work as a team here?

Week 9

September 12th 2013

Training package Pp 59 - 65

The role of theWorkCover Authority of

NSW

WHAT IS THE THE ROLE OF WORKCOVER?

The WorkCover Authority of NSW

The WorkCover Authority of NSW manages workplace safety, injury management and workers compensation systems. It is responsible for ensuring compliance with Work Health and Safety legislation and ensures that worker compensation and rehabilitation procedures are carried out correctly.

The WorkCover Authority of NSW

• Promotes the prevention of injury and diseases at the workplace and the development of healthy and safe workplaces

• Promotes the prompt, efficient and effective management of injuries to people at work

The WorkCover Authority:

The WorkCover Authority of NSW

• Ensures the efficient operation of workers compensation insurance arrangements

• Ensures the appropriate co-ordination of arrangements for the administration of schemes to which the workers compensation legislation or the work health and safety legislation relates to.

The WorkCover Authority: (cont)

The WorkCover Authority of NSW

• Inspect the workplace to ascertain compliance with the Work Health and Safety Act

• Issue notices and fines.

WorkCover inspectors have the power to :

The WorkCover Authority of NSW

Students to complete Activity 1 (2.3) using their iPads.

Grievances Most conflicts are resolved with effective

consultation between management and workers. There are times, however, when WHS disputes between workers and employees will arise and will be difficult to resolve. They may take some time and a measure of compromise to find a solution.

• On occasion, mediators are necessary to give an impartial judgement on the situation. Any complaints need to be dealt with in an open, fair and effective manner. All complaints should be regarded seriously, documented and dealt with either formally or informally.

Grievances

• How would you proceed with an issue you had in relation to WHS?

• What steps would you take?

• What policy/procedure would cover a complaint?

TrainingWHS training serves several purposes in the workplace.

• Why do we need any training?

http://www.safetycare.com.au/illawarra/files/officeSafety.html

TrainingWHS training serves several purposes in the workplace.

• If employees are equipped with WHS knowledge there are fewer accidents and incidents.

• Knowledge raises the level of awareness of risks and hazards and creates a better understanding as to why safety and health procedures must be followed.

Training

http://www.safetycare.com.au/illawarra/files/officeSafety.html

WHS training serves several purposes in the workplace.

Training All new employees should undergo WHS training. This

includes: • All workplace health and safety procedures.• Reporting of hazards to management.• Manual handling training.• Recording and documenting accident and incident

information.• Where and how to access further WHS information.• Workers compensation issues and claims.

Standard operating proceduresAlso known as Safe Work Procedures and Work Method

Statements, standard operating procedures outline the PPE (personal protective equipment) required for

• The task at hand• The correct sequence of steps• The potential hazards or risks that could be

encountered at each step• How to do it – the actual operating procedure.

Standard operating procedures

• ACTIVITY 2WORKING IN PAIRS AND USING THE WORKCOVER FACT

SHEET – CHEMICAL SPILLS IN THE WORKPLACE• What would the SOP be for a chemical spillage?• Outline the correct sequence of steps• The potential hazards or risks that could be

encountered at each step• How to do it – the actual operating procedure.

Designated persons and hierarchy of control

WHS legislation requires that hazards and risks be controlled in a systematic manner.

If it is NOT practical to eliminate the risks, then the risk needs to be reduced using control measures.

• Substitution• Engineering controls• Administrative controls.• Refer to Hierarchy of Hazard/Control Chart (p63)

Workplace policies and proceduresAll services are required to keep policies and

procedures that relate to WHS.

ACTVITY 4• Using your iPads, find out what these are by referring

to the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011.

WorkCover Authority NSW