Workplace Health and Safety

Workplace Health and Safety Student Program
Primary/Natural Resources Industry (Continued)

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.

Induction Training and Supervision

Employers should provide information for young and new employees through induction programs, and should provide ongoing supervision.

The purpose of induction training is for employees to gain the knowledge and skills to participate in an organisation's safety and health system at the onset of their jobs. The induction training in occupational safety and health of all employees new to the job is an important task for managers and supervisors.

Supervision should be provided to ensure that employees are not exposed to hazards as they are working. Supervision should include regular checks to make sure that safety and health instructions are being followed.

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.

Injuries from the way objects are handled or the way the body is moved are a serious problem in the Primary/Natural Resources Industry.

Manual handling injuries include:

strains and sprains;
neck and back injuries;
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; and
using manual handling aids.

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 you have a responsibility to speak up if you feel your job is too heavy, too difficult, too tiring or puts you at risk of injury.

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;
team lifting;
reduce bending, twisting or reaching movements; 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.

Machinery and Equipment

The Primary/Natural Resources Industry deals with a diverse range of sub-industries and consequently, an enormous range of machinery and equipment

Most young workers are informed of procedures for plant maintenance during induction at the beginning of their working life. Training, instruction and supervision need to be emphasised and reinforced so that young workers retain this knowledge.

It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that machinery and equipment is properly maintained and repaired. This includes both fixed and mobile plant.

Machinery, plant and equipment in the Primary/Natural Resources Industry can include:

tractors;
front end loaders;
motor bikes;
haul packs;
off-road vehicles;
harvesting machinery;
generators;
skidders, forwarders and loaders;
prime movers;
chain saws; and
power tools and equipment;
firearms

Your workplace should have a maintenance program to ensure that all equipment, plant and machines are in safe working order.

The most common mechanical equipment injuries are to hands and fingers which may be sprained, dislocated, broken, crushed or severed by machinery or tools.

Over 47% of all eye injuries recorded in 1994/95 were due to mechanical equipment injuries.

These injuries can cause lengthy periods of time off work, and sometimes permanent disability.

A large number of injuries occur in the Primary/Natural Resources Industry.

Eye injuries caused by mechanical equipment accidents include:

being hit by an object (this includes small particles such as wood shavings or dirt as well as large objects such as pieces of equipment);
heat, radiation;
chemical substances;
hitting an object; and
falls, trips, slips.

When working with mechanical equipment, plant or machinery, personal protective equipment and clothing may include protective gloves; arm guards; safety helmets; and safety footwear; hearing protection; appropriate eye protection (e.g. safety glasses, shield); leg protection; and respiratory protection.

"DANGER" and "OUT OF SERVICE" Tags

Red and black "DANGER" tags are used to warn workers about hazards associated with equipment and machinery maintenance.

Yellow and black "OUT OF SERVICE" tags are used to prevent accidents or damage to machinery that is out of service for repairs.

Any faulty equipment should be locked out or tagged so that it cannot be used until it is replaced or repaired.

The safe work procedures for the removal of "DANGER " and "OUT OF SERVICE" tags at your workplace must be followed.