Work Health and Safety Notes

Work Health and Safety

Legislation and Governance

  • Legislative Framework:

    • Work Health & Safety Act (WA) 2020

    • Work Health & Safety Regulation (WA) 2022

  • Employer Requirements:

    • Provide a safe working environment.

  • Employee Requirements:

    • Work in a safe manner.

    • Follow lawful instructions.

  • Due Diligence:

    • Both employers and employees have a responsibility for due diligence in maintaining safety.

  • Health & Safety Representatives & Safety Committees:

    • Area Safety Representative: First line of reporting for incidents or hazards, working with the area manager.

    • Safety Committee: Made up of elected safety representatives and management representatives, used to escalate safety concerns.

Hazards & Incidents

  • Types of Hazards:

    • Chemical

    • Biological

    • Physical/Mechanical

    • Ergonomic/Work Design (system of work)

    • Psychosocial

    • Emergency

  • Resulting Injuries:

    • Exposure to biological agents:

      • Needlestick injury: very stressful

      • Vaccination program is important.

    • Slips/Trips/Falls

    • Manual Handling Injuries: Highest Work Compensation risk

    • Ergonomic: Musculoskeletal pain (OOS/RSI)

    • Chemical Exposure

  • Incident/Hazard Reporting:

    • Identify and report the hazard.

    • Use Safety Inspection Checklist/WPIs.

    • Use Incident/Hazard Report Form.

Chemical Hazards

  • GHS Pictograms:

    • Found on chemical containers and Safety Data Sheets.

    • Examples:

      • Explosive

      • Flammable

      • Oxidising

      • Corrosive

      • Toxic

      • Compressed Gases

      • Irritant

      • Health Hazard

      • Environmental Hazard

  • Routes of Exposure:

    • Ingestion

    • Inhalation

    • Dermal Absorption

    • Eye Contact

  • Chemical Management Essentials:

    • Assume Hazardous!

    • Identify:

      • Safety Data Sheets

      • Labelling

      • ChemAlert

    • Storage:

      • Segregation

      • Bunding

      • Check for old items

    • Safe Use:

      • Only if trained and competent.

      • Use PPE

    • Disposal:

      • Not down the sink into wastewater!

    • Emergency Equipment and Procedures:

      • Emergency Eyewash and Showers

      • Spill Kits

    • Report, report, report!

Manual Tasks

  • Back Care Principles:

    • Maintain the normal "S" curve of the spine.

    • Is there another way?

    • Maintain neutral posture.

    • Elbows close to body

    • Get a solid, good grip.

    • Keep load close to body.

    • Lead with the face and feet.

    • Don’t hold breath.

    • Pushing > pulling

    • Change posture frequently.

  • Manual Tasks - Step-by-Step Guide:

    • Step 1: Plan Ahead

      • Have a clear understanding of where you are moving the item to.

      • Ensure you have a clear path ahead of you.

      • Ask for help if the item is heavy, large or awkwardly shaped.

      • Consider using a mechanical lifting aid where available.

      • STOP! Don't go ahead with the lift if:

        • Lifting or moving items ≥ 15kg (or beyond your personal limit)

        • Needing to walk a significant distance

        • The path is not clear, or you can't see

        • It needs to be done quickly or rapidly

    • Step 2: Preparation

      • Position your feet close to the item - feet should be shoulder width apart

      • Lower yourself to the item by bending from your hips and knees in a squatting movement.

      • Do not bend or arch your back

    • Step 3: The Lift

      • Ensure you have a firm grip on the item by gripping with your palms, not the fingers

      • With a smooth action, straighten your legs by pushing through the heels

      • Keep the eyes and feet pointing in the same direction when moving the item

    • Step 4: Lowering

      • Get as close as possible to where the item needs to be placed

      • Slowly lower the item following Step 2

      • Adjust the position of the item after it has been placed down

Biological Hazards

  • Maintaining intact skin or covering broken skin with waterproof dressing

  • Avoiding direct skin or mucosal contact with body fluids / substances

  • Use of appropriate PPE (gloves, glasses, and laboratory coat)

  • Sharps Safety:

    • Prepare work area

    • Do not pass sharps to another

    • Sharps containers – close-by and do not reach in

    • Follow NSI/OE protocol!

  • Emergency Eyewash & Showers

  • Standard Hand Hygiene

    • Washing hands with soap and water

    • Applying alcohol-based hand-rub to the surface of hands

    • Use of PPE in addition to hand washing.

    • Effective hand washing:

      • after a spill

      • between tasks

      • when leaving the laboratory

      • before food

Best Practice

  • Communication of hazards

  • Provision and use of PPE

  • Implementation of health and safety policies, procedures and practices across the organisation

  • Use of risk management processes

PPE

  • Suitable footwear MUST be worn in laboratories at all times. Footwear must have:

    • closed-in shoes covering the toes, top of the foot and heel

    • preferably leather or vinyl,

    • have flat or low sturdy heels and non-slip soles.

    • Overshoes may be required in some laboratories and approved hard capped shoes must be worn in areas where heavy equipment is lifted or moved.

  • It is YOUR responsibility to wear/use protective clothing and PPE when provided.