Newsletter

MHRM produces a free monthly email newsletter containing usually 3 or 4 headings giving brief tips and suggestions to assist with Work Health Safety and Human Resource Management. It is normally only one page. Should you wish to subscribe enter your details on the right hand side of the screen.


Below are some recent Newsletter articles:
 

SafeWork Inspector Visits Workplace

Recently an inspector visited a workplace and was specifically interested in the forklift and its operation at the workplace:

The following actions were required by the inspector:

  1. Placing signage on the forklift to reinforce to staff to wear the seatbelt when vehicle is operational
  2. To have a meeting with staff with regard to the need to wear the seatbelt while operating vehicle
  3. Licences of all operators were requested
  4. Traffic control issues e.g. truck deliveries and forklift
  5. Require seatbelt to be replaced

Suggest that workplaces with forklifts may wish to check these issues. It is best to be proactive rather than reactive.


Safety Message at a Workplace

The safety message was displayed under a mirror:

“The person you are looking at is responsible for your health and safety”

This is a critical message as I often find that employees do not think that they are responsible for Health and Safety. It is difficult for Health & Safety to be taken seriously if employees do not think it is an issue for them. We all have a “Duty of Care”.


Work Health & Safety Activities to Consider

Consider the following; are these activities undertaken in your workplace? Most are WHS requirements under legislation.

  1. Consultation with employees and document - recommend minimum quarterly.
  2. If a Health and Safety Committee is in place it must meet minimum quarterly.
  3. Emergency evacuation training - recommend minimum annually.
  4. All Safety Data Sheets dated more than 5 years old must be replaced.
  5. All containers of hazardous substances must be clearly labelled.
  6. No soft drink type containers to be used (illegal).
  7. Workplace inspections on a regular basis - recommend minimum quarterly.
  8. Is Health and Safety part of new employee inductions?
  9. Is firefighting equipment unobstructed at all times?
  10. Do any workers know how to use them?
  11. Is displayed safety signage being adhered to? Are they clean and legible?
  12. Are workers adhering to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements?
  13. No oral medication to be kept in or near First Aid Kits.
     

Be Sun Smart (source: Cancer Council & NSW SafeWork)

Some tips on how to minimise the risk of skin damage:

  1. Avoid sun exposure during peak hours of 11am-3pm daylight saving time
  2. Wear tight weave broad brim hats, not caps
  3. Wear wraparound sun glasses
  4. Use sunscreen minimum SPF 30 plus, apply regularly
  5. Provide employees with information regarding constant exposure to the effects of the sun e.g. skin damage and skin cancers etc.
  6. Always wear a shirt, long sleeve and long trousers, UV rated.
  7. Check skin regularly for any damage/changes and take action early.

 

Some Tips to Improve Safety in Office Environments

  • Always shut drawers after use
  • Keep walkways clear of obstructions
  • Keep electrical leads from being trip hazards
  • Never use a chair for reaching
  • Report carpet trip hazards, also broken tiles etc.
  • Wear stable shoes, client feedback suggest this is becoming an increasing issue
  • Store heavier items between waist and shoulder
  • Do not store anything less than 60 cm below ceiling sprinklers
     

Health & Safety Material Displayed

It is a good idea to review what health and safety related material is displayed in the workplace. Is it current, legible, clean and located in an easy to see place. Is the material being complied with e.g. safety signage to wear certain protective equipment? Is the emergency plan displayed, current or has there been renovations etc. If you have a WorkCover poster “Watching Out For You” it should be replaced with “If You Get Injured At Work”.


WHS Myths
A couple of WHS issues that are often misunderstood:

  1. There is no legal “weight limit” a person can manually handle. The emphasis is on being trained to manually handle safely and employ strategies to reduce manual handling via either team lifting or mechanical devices e.g. trolley. If manual handling is a significant issue in your workplace look at strategies to minimize manual handling.
  2. There is no legal maximum or minimum “temperature” for a worker to cease work. The emphasis is on Managers and Owners to manage the issues e.g. more breaks, job rotation and ready access to water.

However should they wish employers can introduce their own manual handling and temperature limits.

 

Recent Newsletters

March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017