In order to gather advice and information from the team, the Safety Manager asked questions and shared the responses by writing them on a whiteboard or butchers paper, as shown in Table 4. 4 Example 1: Questions asked by the Safety Manager and responses What hazards are encountered when doing the task? What risks do these pose to health and safety? How are these risks currently controlled? Plant Truck Compressor and pressure hose Truck—faulty truck could cause accident and cause injuries to workers and others Compressor and pressure fuel line in compressor could cause burns and injuries through fire or explosion Truck and compressor have maintenance schedule Checklist for visual inspection for plant before it leaves depot Reporting and tagging system for defective plant Manual handling Loading and unloading the compressor Carrying the compressor to and from the toilet block Sweeping to dry the floor load, awkward, sustained postures and repetitive actions can cause sprains, strains, back injuries or fractures and cuts if dropped on foot Compressor has handles fitted to assist in lifting and carrying Two persons required to lift and compressor Only workers who have been trained able to lift and carry compressor Floor sweeping roster Chemical Cleaning agents used to toilets and basins Skin irritation, rashes and illness caused by exposure to chemicals and their vapours in confined space Only non-toxic cleaning agents used Gloves provided to avoid skin contact Infection at work Communicable disease Non-communicable infection Contracting an infectious disease such as hepatitis Contracting a bacterial infection Universal precautions plus specific protection for the route of exposure Noise Operating the compressor in a closed space with hard surfaces Hearing loss from prolonged exposure to the noise levels generated by the compressor Hearing protection provided for wearing when hosing out the toilet block trips and falls Wet floor when hosing out the toilet block Fractures or strains caused by slipping on wet surface Safety boots provided with slip-resistant soles
Example 2 Jane had been working at the local grocery store for the last 12 months. She had recently taken on a new role as the bakery supervisor and was eager to review the work activities and safety procedures. In preparing for the review, Jane considered how she would conduct the review and who she should speak with. As a first step, Jane identified the different activities and tasks that were carried out by the workers. These included: preparing a number of different products such as bread, cakes, slices and doughnuts cleaning items used in product preparation, and general housekeeping. The next step was to analyse what was involved in each activity. Jane three mornings that week with the four bakers who worked in the bakery department. She talked to them about the work activities and what they thought could be changed to improve the safety of the workplace. One of the bakers had been working in the store for over 10 years, while another had been working for over 25 years. The other two bakers were apprentices and had only been working with the store for around six months. From these discussions, Jane identified a number of key tasks the bakers carried out every day when preparing the baked products: moving the ingredients from their storage locations to the area of use mixing the ingredients together specialised mixers transferring the mixture to the container for baking putting them in the oven and removing them from the oven slicing and decorating, and packaging the products. During an inspection of the bakery, Jane and the bakers identified a number of hazards, including the following: the doughnut mixer was not guarded and the mixing bowl could be accessed when the machine was operating the concrete floors were slippery in the mixing room and flour was spilt where the bakers walked low lighting in the food preparation area, and there was narrow access and restricted movement in the storage area where the flour bags were kept. Jane and the bakers discussed the risks associated with each of the hazards and what could be done to control these risks. In relation to the unguarded mixer, one of the bakers suggested purchasing or hiring a new model with an interlocking guard. After considering the ideas of the bakers, Jane completed the risk register shown in Table 5. 5 Example 2: risk register Risk register: XYZ Grocery Store Pty Ltd Work area Bakery department Form completed by Jane Smith (Bakery supervisor) Date form completed 05/11/2017
Appendix D—Risk register Location: Date: Hazard What is the harm that the hazard could cause? What is the likelihood that the harm would occur? What is the of risk? How effective are the current controls? What further controls are required? Actioned by Date Due Date Complete Maintenance and review