Workplace Health and Safety

Workplace Health and Safety Student Program
Community Services Industry

Hazard Identification

Hazard identification is a key step in preventing injury and disease in the workplace. Where there's a risk, you need to stop and think. You need to think about what you are about to do, the potential risks and the likely effects on yourself and other people.

The 3 Step Approach to Hazard Identification:

1. Spot the hazard.

Be alert at work! Notice potential hazards and work out what the problem is.

2. Assess the risk.

Talk to your supervisor about the hazard and work out a way to solve the problem.

3. Make the changes.

Follow through. Carry out the agreed actions in order to solve the problem.

Manual Handling

Manual handling is not just about lifting heavy objects, but includes any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, hold or restrain a person, animal or thing.

Writing; typing; placing boxes and other items on shelves; and lifting, moving and carrying patients are just some examples of manual handling tasks associated with the Community Services Industry.

Manual handling injuries include:

strains and sprains;
neck and back injury;
slips, falls and crush incidents;
cuts, bruises and broken bones;
hernia; and
occupational overuse syndrome (OOS), once known as RSI.

People who suffer from a manual handling injury at work can spend the rest of their lives coping with pain and be unable to do a lot of things other people can do.

You should be informed and trained in:

safe manual handling methods;
specific manual handling hazards;
safe work procedures;
using manual handling aids; and
the right to ask for help.

Most manual handling injuries to young people could have been prevented by instruction, training and supervision. Safe work procedures should be prepared by employers with the help of employees to care for the special needs of young and inexperienced workers.

Even though you may be young and new to the job, as a young employee if you feel your job is too heavy, too difficult, too tiring or puts you at risk of injury, you have a responsibility to discuss this with your supervisor.

It is the employer's responsibility to provide you with safe work procedures, and with instruction, training and supervision for manual handling tasks.

Ways to reduce the risk:

lighten loads (break loads into smaller quantities);
mechanical assistance;
reduce bending, twisting, reaching movements;
team lifting; and
prevent muscle strain and fatigue. This includes warming up before working, allocating time for rest breaks, and allowing time to gradually get used to a new job.

Transmission of Disease

Within the Community Services Industry, the transmission of disease may be a hazard. It is important that you take the necessary steps to ensure your own safety and the safety of others both in the workplace and the wider community.

Workers who are regularly exposed to blood and body substances at work may be at increased risk of transmission of infectious diseases such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodefiicency virus (HIV), the virus that causes the disease known as AIDS. Certain occupations are at risk of acquiring or transmitting infectious diseases. Groups of workers who are at risk include health care workers, laboratory workers, police officers, prison officers, child care workers, carers of the intellectually handicapped, sewerage workers and plumbers. Also at risk are workers working in areas where infectious disease is common (both locally and overseas), or where hygiene and sanitation is poor.

Cleanliness and Hygiene

Workers in the Community Services Industry often care for people with infectious diseases. Therefore, cleanliness and hygiene are very important measurers in preventing the spread of infection.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

Ensure you are aware of the workplace
procedures for cleaning and disinfecting.

When cleaning surfaces and facilities workers should wear protective gloves and other protective clothing of rthe task. Use detergent and warm water for routine cleaning,. Where surface disinfection is required, use the disinfectant in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Surfaces should be cleaned before applying disinfectants. A solution of 1:10 dilution of 5% sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) in water should be used to disinfect surfaces that have been contaminated with blood or body substances. In the event of being exposed to blood or body substances or sustaining a needle stick injury the following action should be taken:

wash away the blood or body substance with soap and water;
if eyes are contaminated, rinse eyes while open with tap water;
if blood gets into the mouth, spit it out and then repeatedly rinse with water;
report the incident to the appropriate authority;
you should be referred to a doctor;
counselling may be offered to you. Linen soiled with blood or body substances should be identified as such and kept separate from other linen. PVC, latex or household gloves and protective clothing should be worn when handling soiled linen. Where possible heavily soiled items should be soaked in diluted bleach. Linen should be washed using a hot water cycle.

Personal Protective Equipment

Employers are required to provide personal protective equipment (P.P.E.) when hazards in the workplace cannot be eliminated or controlled by other means.

Personal protective equipment and clothing can include such things as gloves; respirators; aprons; overalls; safety boots; safety glasses; goggles; and ear muffs as appropriate. Employees should be instructed and trained in the correct use of any P.P.E. provided by the employer.

It is important that workers in the Community Services Industry correctly use P.P.E. as a matter of course due to the hazards that exist in many of these occupations.

These practical hygiene steps should be taken to ensure your safety and the safety of others:

follow the requirements of the workplace policy or procedure;
hands must always be washed between contacts with clients (patients, residents etc.), and before eating or drinking;
the wearing of gloves substantially reduces the risk of hands being contaminated with infected blood and body substances. Therefore, gloves must be made readily available to all relevant workers;
gloves should be worn when dealing with blood or body substances. Hands must be washed immediately after removing gloves;
gloves should be changed between treating persons - the wearing of gloves does not prevent cross-infection;
waterproof aprons/gowns should be worn when clothing is likely to be soiled with blood or any body fluid;
masks and/or protective eye wear should be worn in situations where eye and/or mucous membrane exposure to splashed or sprayed blood or body fluid is likely, e.g. dental and surgical procedures, cleaning soiled equipment; and
workers with cuts or abrasions on exposed parts of the body must cover these with waterproof dressings at all times while on duty.