Mastering Workplace Health and Safety: A Comprehensive Guide to WHSMS

Activity 1.1 Question 1 A WHSMS defines and outlines the approach and processes used to manage workplace health and safety requirements. It incorporates the legal and regulatory needs of a business in regards to health and safety and any other applicable laws, such as data privacy, employment and anti-discrimination laws. Question 2 The needs of a WHSMS include; Policy (specifically work health and safety policy) Legislation and authoritative work health and safety guidance Processes and procedures Development and planning Measure and evaluation Review and improvement Question 3 A WHSIS is where an organisation keeps its work health and safety information. Question 4 When accessing WHS information, several factors needs to be considered The type of organisation The state/territory that a particular organization operates in The specific operational hazards an organization has The size of the organisation The work roles of the workforce Question 5 Internal sources Risk assessments Safety data sheets and registers Safe work method statements Job safety analyses WHS policies and procedures WHS processes and systems External sources The relevant WHS/OHS state/territory legislation (acts and regulations) The relevant WHS/OHS codes of practice Australian and international standards applicable to WHS WHS publications Advice from WHS/OHS regulators WHS training information from a certified WHS training provider Question 6 Role of policies and procedures in an organization are to enable employees to know how to act and respond in situations Question 7 Some examples of policies and procedures in the workplace include; Environmental controls Hazard signs and barricades Health and safety induction and training Manual handling Handling chemicals Risk assessment Question 8 Obligations that businesses have for their sites are; Provide safe work premises Assess risks and implement appropriate measures for controlling them Ensure safe use and handling of goods and substances Provide and maintain safe machinery and materials Assess workplace layout and provide safe systems of work Provide a suitable working environment and facilities Have insurance and workers’ compensation insurance for their employees Question 9 Our state fall under Commonwealth WHS legislation administered by comcare Question 10 Examples of some Codes of Practice that may be referred to as Safety practitioner Work Health and Safety (Confined Spaces) Work Health and Safety (Construction Work) Work Health and Safety (First Aid in the Workplace) Work Health and Safety (Hazardous Manual Tasks) Work Health and Safety (How to Safely Remove Asbestos) Work Health and Safety (Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces) Work Health and Safety (Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals) Question 11 These provide the following information Definitions and examples of hazard types Who has duties and responsibilities within the work place Ways of identifying hazards Methods of managing risks When consultation is important How to undertake consultation ACTIVITY 1.2 Question 1 Differing formats include Electronic data files, pdf files, photocopied pages, printed documentation or verbal accounts. For maintenance purposes, alter file formats, copy and paste data into records, retype information, create new records, amend records, or scan hard copy pages Question 2 According to legislative requirements, the following must be recorded; All incidents, whether they result in an accident or are considered to be a near miss Risk assessments and controls must be recorded to evidence your organisation’s management of hazards and risks Question 3 Records must be kept by law, and must be must be clear, legible and complete for the purpose of accountability. Question 4 Examples of records that are expected to be recorded are; Incident reports, including reports on near misses, hits, incidents, injuries, first aid, illness, disease, dangerous occurrences Insurance claims Compensation claims Sickness absence records Training records Notices and other documents from WHS inspectors Plant maintenance and servicing records Rectification action reports and plans Records relating to plant, equipment and tools Question 5 Methods that can record data are; Electronic systems Graphical representations Handbooks Paper-based systems Performance monitoring charts and checklists Registers Question 6 Recording incidents, injuries and illnesses ensures that the hazards and risks associated with these can be addressed and, the appropriate action is taken to avoid the same incidents in the future Question 7 Reports and records that should be included Alcohol or drug use records Audit and inspection reports Consultation reports First aid/medical post records Hazardous chemicals register Manufacturer and supplier information, including dangerous goods storage lists Equipment maintenance and testing reports Workers’ rehabilitation records Question 8 Type of information that requires to be recorded The type of injury or illness The severity of the injury or illness The cause of the injury or illness The name and details of the person that the illness or injury affected Compensation claims Any action taken to remove risks and protect others from similar hazards ACTIVITY CASE STUDY A What needs to be done to create a chemical register The first thing one is supposed to do in creating a chemical register is to ensure that they are familiar with all the chemicals within the company. In this respect therefore, it would be a noble idea to walk around the worksite and locate all the chemically physically. After ensuring that you are familiar with each location of specific chemical, the next step would be to create a master list of the chemical names. The master list may contain some additional information like where specific chemicals are applicable, their storage features, and some of the information on the chemicals MSDS. Such would include the name of the manufacturer and the supplier. The information on the register could be done on word tables or better, on excel spread sheets. In this essence therefore, the chemical register should bear the company information, list of chemicals in the company and finally the name of the person who prepared the register as well as the person who reviewed it. Once this is done, the chemical register is kept as a printed hard copy document and stored in a chemicals file or folder in the administration office next to the chemical storage area for easy access for the authorised personnel. What is recorded on a MSDS An MSDS contains the following; The chemical name, which should align with the label on the storage container Other common names of the chemical to which it may be commonly known The ingredients of the product Physical and chemical characteristics The effects the specific chemical has on human health Outline of the chemicals with which that particular chemical can adversely react with Handling precautions Emergency and first aid precautions that should be taken in case of accidents in regards to that particular chemical The types of measures that can be taken and control in cases of exposure The requirements for a MSDS Register All MSDS must indicate the hazardous chemicals found in that particular product and should be specific to the proximities of 1% or greater, or 0.1 % or greater if the chemical is carcinogenic. Importantly, they must be written in English. They must be stored in the work area and if by any chance they are in electronic copies, they still must be available in cases of power