Chapter 6

1. Chapter 6 Helping to keep the workplace safe

2. Everyone in the workplace has a responsibility to work safely and keep themselves and the people they care for safe. Pert of this responsibility includes talking about safety, noticing if something isn’t safe and reporting any problems with safety to the right person. Support workers play an important role in helping to keep the workplace safe because they spend time with clients in their rooms and homes. They use the workplace equipment. Support workers will notice if things aren’t working properly, or the locks in an older person’s house are not locking well, it is your responsibility to report it.

3. There are laws that cover how to keep the workplace safe. These are occupational health and safety (OHS) laws. Every organisation you work must follow these laws. In this chapter you will learn about: 6.1 Understanding OHS rights and responsibilities 6.2 Reporting OHS problems 6.3 Dealing with OHS problems 6.4 Sharing information about workplace hazards 6.5 Controlling risks

4. 6.1 Understanding OHS rights and responsibilities The occupational health and safety act (1991) is the law that covers how to keep workplace safe. Every state and territory has a separate health and safety act that controls occupational health and safety in that state. OHS legislation explains what as employer and employee must do to keep the workplace safe.

5. Employer’s responsibilities It is the employer’s responsibility to provide a safe workplace, as far as this is practical. The main things the employer must do are to: • have safe process and procedures- to make sure the work can be done safely • provide training and supervision- to make sure you know how to work safely and use equipment, aids and chemicals properly

6. Employer’s responsibilities • consult and cooperate with employees about safety- this means employers must share information, listen and work together with employees • provide protection- this includes clothing or equipment that is provided for your safety; for example, goggles and gloves.

7. Employer’s responsibilities Your employer must also: • help with the election of a workplace OHS representative or safety committee • support the people chosen to be the OHS representatives • provide information to the OHS representative about hazards that happen or might happen in the workplace • allow the OHS representative paid time to carry out the OHS tasks they are responsible for • let the OHS representative know about any accident or dangerous incident that happens.

8. Employee’s rights All employees have the right to: • have an elected OHS representative- this means employees choose someone to talk to mangers about safety for them and to help keep the workplace safe • be protected from hazards at work • receive information, training and supervision to help them work safely • be provided with the right protective clothing and equipment • talk to managers about OHS problems- you can talk directly to the managers or ask the OHS representative to talk to them for you.

9. Employee’s responsibilities These responsibilities are for all employees. The main things you must remember after training are to: • work safely- you must follow all training, processes and procedures • not put anyone else in danger • report any hazards or incidents including near miss • follow the instructions you are given • use equipment, including protective equipment, properly- in the way you have been trained and following manufacturer’s instructions

10. Employee’s responsibilities • cooperate with your supervisor and employer • understand your rights and responsibilities are equally important • It is just as important for you to follow the training you are given as it is for you to receive that training from your employer. It is also important for you to share information about any hazards or potential hazards. You must follow your workplace policies and procedures and report any hazards or incidents to the right person. This will usually be OHS representative and your supervisor.

11. What the does OHS representative does OHS representatives are a key link between employees and employers. They tell employers about employees’ safety and health concerns. They also help employers to make sure workplace safety process and procedures work. To be an OHS representative, the person must: • be employed at the workplace • have worked there for at least two years • had two year’s experience in the type of work involved or have completed suitable training if they don’t have the experience.

12. OHS representatives: • inspect workplace areas • immediately investigate accidents or risk of serious injury or harm • must keep up with information provided by the employer on hazards in the workplace, and liaise with government and other bodies • report hazards in the workplace

13. OHS representatives: • refer safety and health matters they think appropriate to the safety and health committee (if the workplace has one) • liaise with employees about safety and health • must be informed by the employer about dangerous situations or accidents, or when an inspector visits the workplace

14. OHS representatives: • must be notified of any changes in the workplace that may affect employees’ safety and health • can attend any safety and health discussion between an employer and an employee if the employee asks them to be there • can expect space and time to help them carry out their duties; for example, they will need storage space to keep records and information, and time off work on normal pay to attend to the safety and health functions • can expect to be trained according to the regulations- they can get paid leave to attend accredited introductory training on OHS.

15. OHS committees Some workplace might have an OHS committee. A committee is a group of people who meet to talk, share information and make decisions about a certain topic. An OHS committee will be responsible for thinking about OHS issues and how they can be solved. The OHS committee might include: • support workers • maintenance staff • other health professionals • supervisors or managers • It is a good idea for a committee to have people from all different parts of the organisation. This way, all the different parts of the business can share ideas. • Everyone on the OHS committee is responsible for thinking of ways to make the workplace as safe as possible. They will then share their ideas with the mangers or your employer.

16. 6.2 Responding to OHS problems Your workplace OHS policies and procedures are written to match OHS legislation. One of your responsibilities is to follow these policies and procedures. Part of the policies and procedures cover reporting hazards and other OHS issues. You will need to know what needs to be done and how to report it.

17. Reporting OHS problems Some OHS problems are bigger or more urgent than others. There are different ways to report big, small and urgent OHS problems. You must report to your supervisor or OHS representative anything in the workplace that could be hazardous.

18. This table outlines common hazards and incidents workers might report to the OHS representative.

19. When you are working in a community care and you observe any of the dangers listed above or you feel worried about security or safety, you should report your concern to your supervisor. You should also be aware of the following issues and know how to report them

20. Changing conditions of older people The health and physical condition of your client often worsens over time. For example, you may have been assisting a client with personal care for almost a year. Their condition has changed so gradually that you may not realise. You notice one day they are having difficulty walking because of the pain, or you need to give more assistance than before. Let you supervisor know, as the person is now at risk of falling and may need a frame or a wheel chair, or you may need more time to do the task to avoid rushing them or getting yourself stressed

21. Availability and appropriateness of equipment It is important to have the correct equipment to follow your workplace policies. Sometimes as older people’s condition changes, the equipment needs to change. For example, when you started working at a hospital two years ago, only two people needed hoist transfers. Now, with more clients, workers are doing more hoist transfers. There are now eight people who need hoist transfers and only one hoist. This makes it difficult for workers to complete their work on time, as most of you need to use the hoist. Your supervisor needs to be told of the situation so there can be a recommendation for another hoist.

22. Communication and consultation process When your workplace changes policies or buys new equipment, the managers will consult with all staff who are affected. It is their responsibility to provide you with information and training about the new policies or equipment. It is your responsibility to attend the training or read the information so you know what to do.

23. Follow- up reports and feedback Feedback sheets and follow-up reports are commonly used in community care. If you notice a workplace hazard or issue that is not urgent, you report it to your supervisor using a feedback form. When the issue has been fixed, your supervisor should send you a feedback form to let you know what has been done about the problem. If the hazard or issue is urgent, you should contact your supervisor immediately to let them know about the problem.

24. Effectiveness of risk- control procedures There may be times when risk control procedures do not work properly. For example, you may have reported a loose step at a client’s home. You completed the feedback form and received a follow-up report to say the problem had been fixed. A few months later the same problem recurs (happens again). This could be because the step was nailed when it should have been screwed in place. You will need to complete another feedback sheet so the step can be properly repaired.

25. Training needs You need to have up- to- date information to do your job properly. Most workplaces have regular training sessions for staff. For example, they will provide annual first aid, infection control and manual- handling training updates. It is your responsibility to make sure you are up- to- date with training. For example, you may need to have some training on how to use the hoist, so you would ask your supervisor to arrange it for you.

26. Dealing with OHS problems Support workers are able to provide important information about OHS issues. This is because while you are working with clients and equipment, you will notice if there are any OHS problems. You will be able to help identify any risks or dangers to yourself, other workers and to those in your care.

27. Some of the ways that workers can help to manage OHS include: • always following instructions and procedures • reporting any problems with procedures; for example, if the procedure needs to be rewritten because there is a new or different piece of equipment • sharing ideas about how to complete tasks or use equipment so work is completed safely • listening to other people’s ideas to learn how to work safely • going to meetings about OHS • making sure safety procedures are included in care plans so care can be provided safely to clients • always working safely- if you are not sure about any safety issue, ask someone more experienced or your supervisor.

28. Sharing OHS information and ideas Training and information sessions Your workplace might run regular training sessions or information sessions about health and safety. Some of these sessions will be mandatory. This means you must attend them. Some may be voluntary, which means you can go if you want to. It is a good idea to attend any health and safety training sessions. They will help you to know up to date about safety issues.

29. Team and case meetings At team meetings or during case meetings, you can talk about OHS. This can be a good time to check your understanding of policies and procedures. Your supervisor, other workers and health professionals will be at the meetings, so they will be able to give their advice about OHS.

30. Formal and informal OHS meetings Sometimes your OHS representative might arrange a meeting to talk about OHS. This might happen regularly; for example, every six months. If this is a formal meeting, probably all the staff will be invited. The OHS representative will probably share important information that everyone should know. At other times, your OHS representative might just make a time that anyone can come and talk about OHS. This might be once a month on a certain day. You should go to these meetings if you have questions about OHS or need some help to understand the right way to follow OHS policies and procedures.

31. Completing reports Every time you complete a hazard or incident report, you are helping the organisation to manage OHS issues. Your report will help your supervisor, the OHS representative and managers understand the OHS problem that caused the incident. This will help them to make decisions about how to fix the problem.

32. 6.4 Sharing information about workplace hazards When you have ideas and information about how workplace hazards can be removed or reduced, or how procedures could be easier to use or understand, you should share these with your supervisor. Sharing your thoughts and ideas is called giving feedback. Your feedback might help the organisation to remove or reduce a hazard and make the workplace safer for everyone.

33. Giving feedback about hazards to your supervisor There are various ways that you can provide feedback about risks and hazards to your supervisor. Speaking to the supervisor When you see a hazard in the workplace you can report it directly to the supervisor. Fro example, you may be assisting a client to get ready for bed and you are unable to close their window. This is a security risk or a health risk if it is going to be cold overnight. As this risk needs to be managed immediately, it is appropriate to go straight to the supervisor.

34. Completing a form This could be a specific form for hazard reporting or, in the community, a feedback form. For example, you notice that a step is coming loose, or a client you care for is having difficulty with mobility. You should complete the appropriate for so your supervisor can mange the risk.

35. Handover Handover is a good time to ensure other staff know about hazards. For example, you may have noticed one of your clients is becoming aggressive around dinner time. You would document this in the progress notes and by telling your supervisor but you also need to alert other staff. That way they can be prepared for potential aggressive outbursts.

36. Reports to OHS representative Sometimes you may report a hazard directly to the OHS representative. This would only be if you had already spoken to the supervisor and the problem had not been fixed. An example is if you are being roasted for too many shifts or being asked to work on rostered days off.

37. Safety audits The supervisor will carry out safety audits to check that records about safety are kept properly. They might check that forms are kept in the right place and that policies and procedures about safety are kept where everyone can find them. the supervisor will also audit (check) a specific procedure. They will do this by observing (watching) one, two or more support workers performing a specific task. All workplaces must check policies and procedures are being followed. By observing workers completing a procedure, the supervisor will know whether it is being done correctly or whether further training is required.

38. Audits can be completed on any of the following health and safety areas: • Hand washing- the supervisor will check the correct procedure is followed and that hands are washed before and after handling food, after using the toilet and before and after handling individual clients. • Infection control- the supervisor will check to make sure that waste products are disposed of correctly and personal protective clothing is worn when necessary. • Equipment safety- the supervisor will check that all equipment, such as a hoist, is used according to safe handling procedures.

39. Audits can be completed on any of the following health and safety areas: • Electrical safety- the supervisor will check that plugs and cords are in good working order and not frayed or damaged, and a licensed electrician might test all electrical equipment every six months. • Disposal of incontinence pads- the supervisor will check these are being disposed of according to strict soiled waste procedures. • The information gathered during the audit will help the supervisor learn whether the procedures are being followed properly.

40. 6.5 Controlling risks Support workers help control OHS risks by following workplace procedures. The risk of injury or infection to you and the older people you care for is reduced and controlled if everyone follows the workplace procedures. Remember, you are part of a tam and everyone has a role to play to keep workplace safe. Risks of injury and infection are reduced or controlled when all staff follows these procedures.

41. Tips • Keep healthy and look after your physical hygiene. • Follow OHS policies and procedures for manual handling. • Follow infection control procedures. • Use chemicals safely. • Make sure you know the fire and emergency procedures. • Dispose waste materials safely. • Use personal protective equipment properly. • Report and record hazards correctly. • Know your OHS representative. • Report any OHS problems to your OHS representative. • Report and record any unpredictable or aggressive behaviour from older people. • Help with audits when you are asked.