Unraveling Hazards and Risks: Navigating the WHS Landscape in Western Australia

Abstract

1 1.1 Conduct research on relevant sections of the WHS Acts, regulations, codes of practices, policies and procedures applicable to Western Australia to identify the following sources of information and data in your workplace What is the definition of a Hazard? Hazard can be defined as anything or condition/circumstance that has the ability to cause harm on a person. What is the definition of Risk? Risk on the other hand can be defined as the likelihood that upon exposure to a hazard, a person will automatically become hurt. (Possibility of realization of harm upon exposure to a situation that has the potential to harm a person). Is there much difference between them? The two terms go hand in hand as hazard expose a person to a risk. For instance, hazard like noisy machinery expose a person to a risk of developing hearing problems. For this reason, hazard and risk only differ in their nature of occurrence as hazard enhance occurrence of risk. Which of these terms would be associated with Hazard or Risk - Biological, High, Moderate, Electrical, Ergonomic, Physical, Low, Rare, Pyscho-Social, Chemical. Terms that would be associated with hazard risk include, Biological, Physical, Chemical, Ergonomic, Electrical and Psycho-social are associated with hazard while High, rare, moderate and low are associated with risk,(30) What is the difference between Incident and Accident? An accident is always unintentional and happens as a result of error or by chance whose final results are serious damages or injuries of people and properties while Incident can be defined as an event which can be good or bad, intentional or un-intentional whose end results are not serious injuries though may also result to property damage. What are the factors that can influence the level of risk? External and internal factors which determines whether harm is gradual or else immediate. Risk assessment gauges the risk levels that a workplace experiences and may experience upon consideration of factors like: assessing risk with and without existing controls, frequency of injury, duration of exposure, people factors, outcome and effectiveness. What are the 2 things that are important to keep in mind when considering the risk level? The basics while considering risk level are risk assessment potentials and risk controls thus determine the likelihood of an incident occurring as well as the likely outcome should an incident occur as attributed to a hazard to determine the best remedy for the situation. When considering risks, we only think of injury to people, such as workers, employers and volunteers – True or False? In most instance yes thus True Other than Health Safety & Injury, what other impacts could an organisation suffer? There could be serious property damage within the organization, like damage of machineries, power among other operational tools which can negatively affect the entire organization operations. Environmental harms like excessive production of poisonous gases into the atmosphere which may affect habitation and organizational operations in future, Electricity can cause power shortage into the organization and the locality surrounding the organization, Excess noise can hamper operation of other businesses within the same area with the organization which can lead to complains that may later cause re-location or closure of the organization. What types of other resources can you access that will give you sources of WHS Information and data. Some of these resources include reliable sources like government work sites, industry and trade newsletters and journals. 1 1.2 What would happen if you failed to systematically identify the information that you need to gather? One ends up gathering the wrong information that may not provide the most effective steps in identifying and controlling risks in an organization. Such unsystematic identifications later cause information overload which compromise arrangements of information into any form of order What do you need to do regarding this? One need to consult specialists or experts to clarify the information as well as offer the effective feedbacks as required. Finish this sentence - Once you are clear on your research, you need to…. …… …. … assess what information provides you with defined abilities to identify the best ways to control and eliminate…. …. …. …………………..the risk. When making a recommendation, what do you need to be aware of? When making a recommendation, one should ensure to support the recommendations with facts. Such facts enable the decision maker to make informed decisions regarding the issue at hand. At some point, you will reach a stage where your level of expertise is not deep enough, what should you do? Such instances calls for the need to consult with other experts and specialists to clarify on the doubts that one might be experiencing. Such instances also call for thorough research on the issue at hand from credible sources to get a clear overview of its demands. What are the 3 main types of inspections done in the workplace& what are the main reasons for them? There is workplace inspection, safety surveys and safety audits. The main reasons for workplace inspection: check specific conditions within the workplace, measures performance as well as ensuring acceptable standards at workplace are effectively achieved. Workplace inspection also monitor work environment aiming to identify accident causation factors as well as hazards. Safety surveys aims at examining specific components whether it is in the work environment or the management system. Need to carry our safety survey arise from workplace inspection or safety audit. In general the main aim of any type of an inspection within an organization is to assess the safety of current activities, also aids in looking for OHS improvements opportunities, helps determine immediate or potential hazards that are and may affect the organization, inspection also enhance positive responses on effective safety practices, It also aids in analysing and responding promptly to any unsafe activity within the organization and finally spells the management seriousness in improving safety for employees and organization as a whole. (1-2: 404) What are the scheduled recommendations for the differing types of inspections, place these in a table Inspection Type Frequency Location Inspector External audit Every 3 years Entire business Independent assessor Internal audit Annually Entire business Internal expert/specialist Walk-through inspection Quarterly Entire site Senior managers Walk-through inspection Monthly Each department Departmental managers Checklist inspection Weekly Work areas Health and safety representatives and supervisors Pre-shift inspections Daily Specific items Workers Safety critical checks Pre-start Specific items Operators Hazard reporting Ongoing Work areas All workers (3-5: 404) What are the general purposes of a workplace inspection? The main reasons for workplace inspection: check specific conditions within the workplace, Measures performance as well as ensuring acceptable standards at workplace is effectively achieved. Workplace inspection also monitor work environment aiming to identify accident causation factors as well as hazards (8 -9: 404) 1 1.3 Who should be involved in making up a work inspection team? Inspection process requires support from all sectors of the workforce thus the team involves all people within a workplace.( 18 - 404) What are the reasons that you would include them? Managers, specialists/experts, supervisors and all employees play different roles in ensuring all sectors and situations within an organization are well inspected. Their collaborations and contributions define the effectiveness of any inspection and vice versa. 2 2 2.1 2.2 What is an organizations WHS Hazard Management policy? It is a set guide on safety arrangements, principles and plans that enable the organization to systematically manage health and safety at work. The policy also enhances minimizing the risk of injury and illness from workplace operations. What does a Procedure involve? Involves consideration of the issue at hand(risk/hazard), defines the best ways to assess them, the best ways to solve and control them(recommendations) (23,24: 404) There are several processes, when applied, help achieve compliance and ensures that risk management is embedded in daily operations, what are they? The process involves establishment of risk content (scope and nature of risk) Assessment of risk using defined steps like identify, analyse, evaluate and select controls, treating or controlling, Monitoring safety management performance and effectiveness of implemented controls. After identifying a hazard, assessment of the levels of risk the hazard poses to workers, environment or workplace is essential. Such insights allows for proper assessment of controls implemented to gauge their effectiveness which in return allow for the most effective recommendation on the noted threats posed by the noted hazard. . (25 -30: 404) When assessing risk, what is important to ensure regarding the information? Good to ensure that the information is effective to enable recommendations of the most effective controls and measures to manage, eliminate and stop the occurrence of risk. When should a risk assessment be done and when is it unnecessary? Risk assessment should be done upon realization of uncertainty regarding how a hazard may result in risks like injury or illness. When work activity involves various hazards and clear understandings of the noted hazards interactions to generate greater hazards. Upon implementation of changes at workplace that may impact the effectiveness of control measures. Often when prioritizing a hazard, an organisation will have set parameters in which decisions are made on what order a hazard is dealt with. however, sometimes these 2 things will impact on this. Cash flow and availability of resources impact ways in which WHS needs is prioritized. Thus the need to communicate such parameters to all stakeholders as by drawing on a pool of human resources available realization of a more informed decision becomes enhanced. Such insights allows for hazards to be prioritised based on the levels of harm within the set parameters. Level of harm a hazard exposes to workers places higher priorities in consultation process. What are the 2 main methods hazards or hazardous jobs are prioritized? Upon identifying the likelihood that people will be exposed to the risk, the level of exposure and the amount of risk. The potential consequences upon exposure to the hazard, relates to how serious an injury will arise when people become exposed to the risk. Explain the differing types of Mandatory signage in the workplace and show examples of them – There are danger signs that are mostly signified using the red colour to express the levels of risks associated with them. Warning signs which aim at enlightening workers on what is expected of them with regard to some situations and conditions at work. Caution signs that warn the workers on the dos and the don’ts at their workplace. Notice signs that offer workers information regarding any emerging issue and safety and, Instruction signs that guides workers on the how to maintain safety work for themselves as the organization in general. These signs usually have strict colour coding what are they? For instance a circle with diagonal bar in red signifying prohibition no smoking words, unauthorised entry to this site is prohibited etc mandatory action in blue circle like wear eye protection, yellow equatorial triangle with warnings like danger inflammable material, red square/rectangle for fire safety like with an image of fire extinguisher, Green rectangle or square with information about safe conditions like escape route among others. (26,27: 404) 2. 2.3 Who has a Duty of Care’ within the workplace? Both the employer and employees have a responsibility of taking care of each other thus each party remains accountable for any negligence in their organization. State their Duties. Officers’ responsibilities: Consult with staff on health and safety matters. Ensure new staffs are given appropriate induction in work health and safety. Establish safety goals and objectives for their area of responsibility. Promote organizations policies and procedures. Investigate accidents, injuries and incidents affecting WHS within their area of responsibility. Prepare and submit periodic reports on health and safety. Facilitate or liaise with safety manager on workplace inspections, audit and risk assessment effective to their area of responsibility. Conduct workplace inspections, audit and risk assessment that are appropriate to their area of duty. Motivate employees to adopt good health and safety practices. Workers duty: Ensuring reasonable care for their health and safety. Taking reasonable care for health and safety of other people who may be affected by employees’ acts or omissions at workplace. Adherence...