Week Four/Five:

In this week, we learnt about manual handling and hazardous substances.

Manual Handling

• About 80% of Australia's will experience back pain at some stage in their lives
• Up to 15% will experience back pain in any one year
• Is an activity that involves lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, moving, holding or restraining
• May also include stretching and bending, sustained and awkward postures and repetitive movements
• Can result in musculoskeletal injuries 

Examine Every Manual Handling Task

1. Is there a procedure for this task? If so, follow it.
2. Must the load be moved?
3. Must it be lifted?
       - Slid, pushed, pulled, rolled, poured, pumped
4. Can it be moved mechanically?
       - Crane, forklift, hand truck, winch
5. Can the load be reduced?
       - Consider bulk & weight and distance to be moved
6. Can or should assistance be sought?
       - 2 people or a team lift
7. Is the load too heavy or too bulky to lift safely?
       - Is it within your lifting capability?
8. What steps can you put in place to reduce the risk of injury associated with this task?

Correct Lifting Procedure

1. Asses the muscular effort required. Make sure the place where the load is to be put is clear of obstructions
2. Stand close to the load with feet apart so that you have a balanced stable base for the lifting
3. Don't bend your back. Bend at the knees and keep your back as straight as possible.
4. Get a firm grip and move the load close to your body.
5. Do not jerk the load. Lift it smoothly.
6. Always keep your arms and the load close to your body and when turning use your feet rather than twisting.

Hazardous Substances

There are nine classes for identifying hazardous substances and some labels also show the Packing Group (PG) which indicates the degree of danger:

PG I - great danger

PG II - medium danger

PG III - minor danger

Class 1 - Explosives

Substances and articles used to produce explosions or pyrotechnic effects. These include high explosives, fireworks and cartridges. 

Class 2 - Gases

These are gases which have been compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure.

Class 2.1 - Flammable gases

Class 2.2 - Non-flammable, non-toxic gases

Class 2.3 - Toxic gases: gases likely to cause death or serious injury to human health if inhaled

Class 3 - Flammable Liquids

These are liquids, mixtures of liquids or liquids containing solids in suspension, which in most instances can be ignited and will burn.Class 3 PG I - Flammable liquids with a flashpoint less than 23°C and an initial burning point not greater than 35°C Class 3 PG II - Flammable liquids with a flashpoint less then 23°C and an initial burning point greater than 35°CClass 3 PG III - Flammable liquids with a flashpoint of 23°C or more, but less than or equal to 60.5°CClass 4 - Flammable SolidsClass 4.1  - Flammable solids, self-reactive and related substances and desensitized explosives - solids easily ignited and readily combustible.Class 4.2 - Substances liable to spontaneous combustion.Class 4.3 - Substances which emit flammable gases when in contact with water.Class 5 - Oxidizers Class 5.1 - Oxidizing agents (hydrogen peroxide)Class 5.2 - Organic peroxides (liquid or solid)Class 6 - Toxic and Infectious SubstancesThese are poisonous and infectious substances (excluding toxic gases). Class 6.1 - Toxic substances. These are liable to cause death or serious injury to human health if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin.Class 6.2 - Infectious substances. These are substances containing viable micro-organisms that are known or believed to cause disease in humans or animals.Class 7 - Radioactive SubstancesThese emit ionizing radiation.Class 8 - CorrosivesThese are substances (either solids or liquids) which will damage living tissue, goods or equipment on contact, by chemical action. Class 9 - Miscellaneous Dangerous GoodsThese are substances and articles which have potentially dangerous properties that are relatively minor.

Week Two:

In this week, we learnt several things, including:

• Hazard management,
• Workplace hazards and examples, and
• Safety signs and colour at work.

Hazard Management

Based on four broad principals:

• Identification :- identify the potential risks
• Assessment :- what threat does the risk pose?
• Control :- what can be done to fix/control the risk?
• Evaluation :- how well has the implementation worked?

Workplace Hazards and Examples

Based on the seven different classes of risks:

• Physical

Noise and heat, temporary electrical wiring, electrical equipment in unsafe condition, untidy work condition, spills on floor, poorly lit stairways, incorrect lifting.

• Chemical

Photocopiers and toners, air contaminants, moulds, smoking, Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).

• Biological

Air contaminants, infections, Legionnaires Disease.

• Psychological

Stress (dealing with abrasive clients and co-workers, poor conditions, bullying, conflicts, etc.) and burnout

• Mechanical/Electrical

Equipment not properly guarded, using equipment/machinery for something it is not designed for, overloading powerboard.

• Ergonomic

Visual display unit (monitor glare), using furniture that is not adjustable, actions that require repetitive movements.

• Radiation

Ultraviolet light (photocopiers).

Safety Signs and Colour at Work

Safety signs are used to draw attention to hazards (especially hazards that may not be obvious) and provide general information and directions. The signs are also used to show where emergency equipment is located and remind employees where personal protective equipment must be worn. 

Categories	Colour	Shape
Prohibition	Red and white	Circle
Mandatory Action	Blue	Circle
Caution	Yellow	Triangle
Emergency Treatment	Green or Red	Square or rectangle

Prohibition Sign

Mandatory Action Sign

Caution Sign

Emergency Treatment Sign

Week One:

We went through the OH&S Act 2000. This act outlines the general duties of the employers and the duties of the employees.

Employers must:

• maintain the work place under their control in a safe condition and ensure safe entrances and exits;
• make arrangements for ensuring the safe use, handling, storage and transport of plant and substances;
• provide and maintain systems of work and working environments that are safe and without risks to health;
• provide the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure the health and safety of employees.

Employees must NOT:

• interfere with or misuse things that are provided for the health, safety and welfare or persons;
• obstruct attempts to give aid or attempts to prevent a serious risk
• refuse a reasonable request to assist in giving aid or preventing a risk
• disrupt a workplace by creating health and safety fears.

The Act also says that the employer must consult with employees about OH&S matters, and take their concerns into consideration.

In week one, we also looked at some useful OH&S related websites, including:

• Comcare Virtual Office

We also looked at hazards and how to identify them.

In general hazards can be grouped into seven classes:

• Physical
• Chemical
• Biological
• Psychological problems
• Mechanical/Electrical
• Ergonomic
• Radiation