An introduction to OHS

1. An introduction to OHS

2. What is OHS? • OHS stands for Occupational Health and Safety. • It is all about keeping everyone safe when you are at work.

3. Why bother with OHS processes? • Because it saves lives Deaths in the workplace have dropped by almost 20% since 2002. That’s about 54 lives saved every year!

4. Why bother with OHS processes? • 1. Because it saves lives • 2. Because it saves money • The most common workplace injuries were sprains and strains, costing $565 million! • Second was back injuries, which cost $270 million. • Statistical Bulletin 2000/2001, WorkCover NSW)

5. Why bother with OHS processes? • 1. Because it saves lives • 2. Because it saves money • 3. Because, legally, we have to • There are major fines for employers and employees who don’t follow safety standards.

6. Why bother with OHS processes? • 1. Because it saves lives • 2. Because it saves money • 3. Because, legally, we have to • 4. Because it doesn’t work unless we have a system to make it work • It takes effort- safety won’t just happen

7. Why bother with OHS processes? • 1. Because it saves lives • 2. Because it saves money • 3. Because, legally, we have to • 4. Because it doesn’t work unless we have a system to make it work

8. So, what does it involve?

9. Responsibilities of the employer Provide a safe working environment - Provide proper training and information -Supply personal protective equipment and clothing -Provide amenities -Provide first aid facilities and personnel Provide a safe system of work -Identify hazards, assess the risks and eliminate or control the risks Provide supervision -Consult with employees -Provide for emergencies -Ensure OH&S committee members and representatives are trained -No victimisation or unlawfully dismiss of an employee is allowed • The employer (the boss) has a long list of responsibilities:

10. Responsibilities of the employee • … but the employees (the rest of us) have some responsibilities too.

11. Responsibilities of the employee Co-operate with the employer in OHS matters • … but the employees (the rest of us) have some responsibilities too. We need to: EXAMPLE: if asked, we should follow reasonable instructions to clean up, move things, help with inspections etc

12. Responsibilities of the employee Take reasonable care for the health and safety of people who are at the place of work • … but the employees (the rest of us) have some responsibilities too. We need to: EXAMPLE: Sharlene made sure that visitors kept their kids away from equipment that wasn’t safe for them, even though they weren’t there to visit her. She also makes sure that her clients aren’t bullied or hurt by other clients

13. Responsibilities of the employee Notify the employer or supervisor of any risk to health and safety • … but the employees (the rest of us) have some responsibilities too. We need to: EXAMPLE: Sara told her boss and OHS rep when she noticed that the brakes on the bus seemed to be a bit dodgy. The boss doesn’t drive the bus very often so she was glad to be told.

14. Responsibilities of the employee Not to interfere with or misuse things provided for health, safety and welfare • … but the employees (the rest of us) have some responsibilities too. We need to: EXAMPLE: Sharlene made sure that no-one uses the first aid kit, fire equipment or safety gear for anything it wasn’t made for.

15. Responsibilities of the employee Not hinder aid to an injured worker Not to refuse help in either receiving aid or giving aid • … but the employees (the rest of us) have some responsibilities too. We need to: EXAMPLE: When Jason twisted his wrist playing a game with kids, he wanted to keep playing, but Khaled made sure that it was looked at by the first aid rep.

16. Responsibilities of the employee Not disrupt the workplace by creating health or safety fears • … but the employees (the rest of us) have some responsibilities too. We need to: EXAMPLE: Dennis is worried that one of the kids he works with has a contagious disease, even though the doctor said it was ok. He doesn’t make the other workers and clients worried by telling them about it all the time.

17. The process The Youth Officer Toolkit has sample forms for these processes

18. We need to actively look for hazards, before they become a problem, by using: • Workplace inspections • Consultation • Looking at injury and illness records • Recording complaints • Observing the workplace The Youth Officer Toolkit has sample forms for these processes

19. Once we know the problem, we need to see how much of a problem it can be. We need to think about how much harm it could cause, and how likely it is. First, lets look at how much harm it could do..

20. Long term disabled cut finger broken leg Look at the Youth Officer Toolkit Risk Assessment Form for more detail

21. 2. Assess risks (harm) Now we look at how likely it is to happen…

22. Cut by broken glass, left on football field Cut by broken glass, left in garbage bin

23. Then we can look at the two together, and give it a score out of six, like this:

24. paper cuts- very likely, but not very dangerous Poison in cupboard- very unlikely, but dangerous

25. So, looking at how thing score, we can decide if they need to be addressed straight away:

27. .. Or if we can go on working, but fix them as soon as possible:

29. … or if we can plan to leave it a while, because it’s not very likely, and wouldn’t cause much harm anyway:

31. Ok, so now we’ve got a list of hazards (problems) and we know which are the most important to fix first. How do we fix them?

32. Think about what would be the best way to fix the safety problems.

33. Don’t wait to be told to fix any problems you see. The boss can’t be there to tell you what to do.

34. You need to always be looking for any health problems, and taking responsibility for fixing them.

35. Remember: it is your job to look out for

36. Remember: it is your job to look out for Safety issues that affect you

37. Remember: it is your job to look out for Safety issues that affect you Safety issues that affect your co workers

38. Remember: it is your job to look out for Safety issues that affect you Safety issues that affect your co workers Safety issues that affect the public, when they are at your workplace

39. Tips for young workers Take responsibility for your own safety Know what to look for when entering a new or different workplace Know what questions to ask about the job Report any health and safety concerns Follow all safety procedures

40. Ask your supervisor…. What are the dangers of my job? What are the hazards? Should I have any job safety training? Do I need any personal protective equipment? Should I be trained in how to use my PPE? Where are the first aid facilities? Who is the first aid person?

41. Ask your supervisor…. What do I do if I get injured? Where are the fire extinguishers? Where are the emergency exits? How will I know if there is an emergency? What should I do in an emergency? Who do go to in the workplace if I have a health or safety question?

42. Disclaimer This guide is an introduction to the general principles of the Occupational Health and Safety legislation. The guide is not intended to be a substitute for advice on a particular occupational health and safety issue from a qualified source. More details are available through the links in the final slide.