Workplace hazards Workplace Learning and Assessment Activity Workplace Learning and Assessment Activity Print this activity then complete it and keep it as evidence in your folder, or portfolio. Hazard checklist (a) Do a workplace safety audit in your area by using the checklist and identifying any potential hazards. (b) When you have finished, present your checklist to your team at a regular meeting. (c) Decide which three aspects of your job have the most potential to be a hazard. Discuss your findings with your supervisor or coach. Commonwealth of Australia 2007
Workplace Hazards Learning and assessment Activity Workplace Hazard Checklist This Checklist is a guide to the identification and reporting of workplace hazards and contains some of the questions you should ask to help identify hazards arising from equipment. It is adapted from the Equipment Hazard Checklist published by WorkSafe Victoria. The following are examples of hazards identified and recorded in checklists: someone s fingers may get caught between the two rollers of the paper processing machine the pipe containing high pressure fluids in the stamping machine may burst people may trip over the electric power lead for the bench grinder When completing the checklist, consider the hazards that may affect: equipment operators or anyone working, or near the equipment others who could be affected, such as visitors, contractors, etc. Commonwealth of Australia 2007 2
Workplace Hazards Learning and Assessment Activity If yes is the answer to a question in the checklist, a description of the hazard/situation should be written in the space provided. A. ENTANGLEMENT Can anyone s hair, clothing, gloves, necktie, jewellery, cleaning brushes, rags or other materials become entangled with moving parts of the equipment, or materials in motion? B. CRUSHING Can all or part of anyone be crushed due to: a. material falling off or from the equipment? b. uncontrolled or unexpected movement of the equipment or its load? c. lack of capacity for the equipment to be slowed, stopped or immobilised? d. the equipment tipping or rolling over? e. parts of the equipment collapsing? f. coming in contact with moving parts of the equipment during testing, inspection, operation, maintenance, cleaning or repair? g. being thrown off or under the equipment? Commonwealth of Australia 2007 3
Workplace Hazards Learning and assessment Activity h. being trapped between the equipment and materials or fixed structures? i. other factors not mentioned? C. CUTTING, STABBING AND PUNCTURING Can anyone be cut, stabbed or punctured due to: a. coming in contact with sharp or flying objects? b. coming in contact with moving parts of the plant during testing, inspection, operation, maintenance, cleaning or repair of the plant? c. the equipment, parts of the equipment or work pieces disintegrating? d. work pieces being ejected? e. mobility of the equipment? f. uncontrolled or unexpected movement of the equipment or material handled by the equipment? D. SHEARING Can anyone s body parts be sheared a. between two parts of the equipment, b. or between a part of the equipment and a work piece or structure? Commonwealth of Australia 2007 4
Workplace Hazards Learning and Assessment Activity E. FRICTION Can anyone be burnt due to contact with moving parts or surfaces of the equipment, or material handled by the equipment? F. STRIKING Can anyone be struck by moving objects due to: a. uncontrolled or unexpected movement of the equipment or material handled by the equipment? b. the equipment, parts of the equipment or work pieces disintegrating? c. work pieces being ejected? d. mobility of the equipment? e. other factors not mentioned? G. HIGH-PRESSURE FLUID Can anyone come into contact with fluids under high pressure, due to equipment failure or misuse of the equipment? Commonwealth of Australia 2007 5
Workplace Hazards Learning and assessment Activity H. ELECTRICAL Can anyone be injured by electrical shock or burnt due to: a. the equipment contacting live electrical conductors? b. the equipment working in close proximity to electrical conductors? c. overload of electrical circuits? d. damaged or poorly maintained electrical leads and cables? e. damaged electrical switches? f. water near electrical equipment? g. lack of isolation procedures? h. other factors not mentioned? Commonwealth of Australia 2007 6
Workplace Hazards Learning and Assessment Activity I. EXPLOSION Can anyone be injured by explosion of gases, vapours, liquids, dusts or other substances, triggered by the operation of the equipment or by material handled by the equipment? J. SLIPPING, TRIPPING AND FALLING Can anyone using the equipment, or in the vicinity of the equipment, slip, trip or fall due to: a. uneven or slippery work surfaces? b. poor housekeeping, eg. waste in the vicinity of the equipment, spillage not cleaned up? c. obstacles being placed near the equipment? d. other factors not mentioned? e. lack of proper stairs or ladders? f. lack of guardrails or other suitable edge protection? g. unprotected holes, penetrations or gaps? h. poor floor or walking surfaces, such as the lack of a slip-resistant surface? Commonwealth of Australia 2007 7
Workplace Hazards Learning and assessment Activity i. steep walking surfaces? j. collapse of the supporting structure? K. ERGONOMIC /MANUAL HANDLING Can anyone be injured due to: a. poorly-designed seating? b. repetitive body movement? c. constrained body posture or the need for excessive effort? d. design deficiency causing mental or psychological stress? e. inadequate or poorly placed lighting? f. lack of consideration given to human error or human behaviour? g. mismatch of the equipment with human traits and natural limitations? h. other factors not mentioned? Commonwealth of Australia 2007 8
Workplace Hazards Learning and Assessment Activity L. SUFFOCATION Can anyone be suffocated due to lack of oxygen, or atmospheric contamination? M. HIGH TEMPERATURE OR FIRE Can anyone come into contact with objects at high temperatures? Can anyone be injured by fire? N. TEMPERATURE (THERMAL COMFORT) Can anyone suffer ill-health due to exposure to high or low temperatures? O. OTHER HAZARDS Can anyone be injured or suffer ill-health from exposure to: a. chemicals? b. toxic gases or vapours? c. fumes? d. dust? Commonwealth of Australia 2007 9
Workplace Hazards Learning and assessment Activity e. noise? Does the noise annoy you? Do you need to raise your voice when talking? f. vibration? g. radiation? h. other factors not mentioned? Commonwealth of Australia 2007 10
Workplace Hazards Learning and Assessment Activity Hierarchy of Control (d) Find out which level of the Hierarchy of Control was used on a hazard identified in your work area. The hazard may have occurred in the past, so you may need to talk to your team leader, safety representative or OHS professional, or coach. Write the details below. What was the hazard? How was it controlled? Which level of the Hierarchy of Control is that? Commonwealth of Australia 2007 11
Workplace Hazards Learning and assessment Activity Problem Solving (e) Find out an Occupational Health and Safety example of effective problem solving. How and when has the Plan, Do Check, Act cycle been used in your workplace? You may need to talk to your team leader, coach or safety specialist. Describe the example below. Commonwealth of Australia 2007 12