Workplace Health & Safety Policy
Table of Contents
1 Duty of Care
2 Workplace Health and Safety - Introduction
3 Workplace Health and Safety - Objectives
3.1 What is a workplace?
3.2 Who is covered?
4 Compliance Standards
5 Obligations and Responsibilities
5.1 Employers
5.2 Workers
5.3 Service Users
6 Workplace Health and Safety within the Management Committee
7 Consultation and Communication
8 Risk and Hazard Management
9 Risk and Hazard Assessment
9.1Identify and assess the potential risks
9.2 Decide on control measures
9.3 Implement control measures
9.4 Monitoring and reviewing outcomes
10 Workplace Health and Safety Procedures
10.1 What should you do if you identify a hazard?
10.2 Preventing or reducing potential risks.
10.3 Injury
10.4 Manual Handling
10.5 Equipment
10.6 First Aid
10.7 Fire Safety and Precautions
10.8 Clear labeling
10.9 Safe Electrical Appliances
10.10 Tripping and Slipping Hazards
10.11 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
10.12 Equipment Training
10.13 Protective Footwear
10.14 Good ventilation where fumes or chemicals are used
10.15 Procedures for reporting potential hazards
10.16 Procedures for reporting injuries/accidents that have occurred at work
11 Infection Control
11.1 The wearing of gloves
11.2 Washing hands
11.3 Attending to an open wound
11.4 Cleaning up spills
11.5 Disposing of waste
1. DUTY OF CARE
“A Duty of Care exists when someone’s actions could reasonably
be expected to affect another person”
This definition clearly indicates how a Member, Worker, Employer or any other
person has responsibilities to the people who use this service. Maintaining
healthy and safe work conduct fulfills one part of this duty. According to this
duty, the aforementioned parties are to act responsibly and perform the work
duties in accordance with the Health and Safety Act. If an employee breaches
this Duty of Care and thereby puts either themselves or others at risk of injury
or illness, they may be dismissed and face penalties under the Workplace Health
and Safety Act.
2. WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY - INTRODUCTION.
Preamble
It has long been recognised that people working for Access Arts Inc. within
the Disability Arts community face a number of risks depending on which of the
different art forms they are engaged with.
The first Workplace Health and Safety Act was bought into force in 1989. There
were considerable difficulties with this legislation which resulted in the updated
legislation of 1995 (the Act). The Act provides for a general duty of care requiring
all persons to take reasonable care of others’ health and safety including
one’s own. The Act applies to all workplaces and encourages employee/Employer
co-operation to achieve health and safety goals. In brief, the Act is designed
to reduce the number of workplace injuries by making the workplace safe and
healthy for its Workers and Members of the public.
Workplace Health & Safety is largely common sense, and requires a realistic
approach to managing a risk or hazard that could prevent an injury.
3. WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY - OBJECTIVES
To provide a safe and healthy workplace in which to work.
To make Staff and Members aware of policies and procedures on all Workplace
Health and Safety matters.
To make Employer and employees aware of their individual responsibilities,
under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995.
To provide training on standards (Compliant & Advisory) and assessment
in accident prevention, hazard identification and injury protection.
To meet it’s stated goals through consultation, communication,
policies and procedures.
To minimize any costs to Access Arts Inc. by reducing work related injuries
and helping to get Workers back to work as soon as possible.
3.1 What is a workplace?
A workplace, as defined under S 9(1) of the Workplace Health and Safety Act
(1995), is “any place where work is, is to be, or is likely to be performed
by a Worker”.
3.2 Who is covered?
Workplace Health and Safety is an important consideration for everyone from
Employer to employee, including Members of the public. A Worker is defined as
any person (not necessarily paid) who is carrying out work related to an Access
Arts Inc. program or project, therefore including Volunteers and those on student
placement.
4. COMPLIANCE STANDARDS
Compliance standards prohibit, or prescribe ways to prevent or minimize exposure
to risk.
Access Arts and the people who use the service will ensure compliance with
the Workplace Health and Safety Act (1995) and ensure the health and safety
of all Members, employees and Members of the public in the following ways:
Access Arts will manage the risks associated with work by providing
training to Members and Workers on the policy and procedures for working in
a safe manner. This should enable Workers to identify potential risks and hazards.
Workplace Health and Safety is placed on the agenda of the monthly Management
Committee meeting to provide a forum for health and safety issues to be identified
and resolved.
A First Aid kit will be made available at all workplaces.
All work injuries and incidents and “near misses” will be
recorded within an appropriate time frame.
All workplace injuries will be reported to the Workers Compensation
Board.
5. OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Access Arts is responsible for ensuring that arrangements are in place to enable
it to meet its obligations relating to the Act.
5.1 Employers
Employers have obligations under the Workplace Health and Safety Act to ensure:
the health and safety of each Worker in the workplace
their own health and safety
the health and safety of other people who are not “Workers”
not be affected by the workplace activities
that all vehicles are maintained, that all bottles are clearly labeled,
and that floors are not slippery
to provide the necessary protective equipment
5.2 Workers
Each Worker has obligations under the Workplace Health and Safety Act to:
become familiar with Access Arts’ Workplace Health and Safety
policies and procedures
adhere to directions of the Employer regarding their own health and
safety and the health and safety of others
use personal protective equipment if it is provided and ensure that
they have been trained in its use
not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided
at the workplace
not willfully place at risk the health and safety of any individual
at the workplace
not willfully place themselves at risk
5.3 Service Users
Members and participants of Access Arts have obligations to:
maintain a safe working environment e.g. by wearing protective equipment
and maintaining a clean environment
follow safe procedures at all times being aware of possible risks or
hazards in their own environment
6. WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY WITHIN THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The purpose of a Management Committee is to promote and encourage cooperation
and awareness of workplace health and safety issues amongst Members, Employers
and employees.
The Management Committee will have representatives including Members, Workers
and the Employer. Collectively, the committee will nominate a Member of the
committee who will be responsible for Workplace Health and Safety, and as a
result may provide advice to the committee regarding Health and Safety issues.
This representative will be responsible for following up on any matters so decided
by the committee.
It is the responsibility of the committee to work collectively in order to
make informed suggestions about improving the Health and Safety standards within
Access Arts. The committee will be able to do this through the information gained
through the reporting from Members and Staff about accidents, near misses and
unsafe acts and conditions.
7. CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION
Consultation is about fostering cooperation and developing partnerships. Access
Arts will work closely with Members, Workers, government and others to ensure
health and safety in the workplace.
In communicating Access Arts goals to Members, Workers and others, the organisation
will use a range of options including:
making the policy readily available at a convenient place.(e.g. website,
hard copies, on CD’s)
informing people of the Workplace Health and Safety Management Committee
representative, and encouraging people to use this avenue when and if an issue
should arise
continuous support in identifying, reporting and recording all occurrences,
injuries and accidents
consulting with people to reduce or eliminate identified hazards
discussing the effectiveness of any action decided upon
8. RISK AND HAZARD MANAGEMENT
A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm to a Member, Staff or
Member of the public. Hazards can include manual tasks, noise, lighting, electricity,
biological hazards, chemicals or poisonous substances, sharp instruments or
tools, doorways blocked by objects (e.g. wheelchairs), objects left on the floor
and slippery surfaces.
Risk is a measure of the likelihood or chance that a particular activity, program/project
or situation may cause an injury, illness and/or death.
Risk and Hazard management involves the implementation of organisational policies
and procedures that promote workplace practices which enable Workers and Members
to effectively prevent, monitor, evaluate and eliminate hazards.
Risk and Hazard management also relates to a responsibility by Workers and
Members to adequately identify and report hazards to senior Staff Members and
the Employer’s responsibility to take appropriate action when a hazard
is reported.
9. RISK AND HAZARD ASSESSMENT
The Workplace Health and Safety Act prescribes a process of Risk and Hazard
Assessment in order to evaluate what is considered a hazard and what is considered
a risk. Access Arts will use the following process in consultation with Members
and Workers to manage workplace health and safety:
Identify and assess potential hazards
Decide on control measures
Implement control measures
Monitor and review outcomes
9.1 Identify and assess potential risks
By assessing the potential risk of a hazard you will be able to determine the
need for some control measures. Assessing these potential risks will be carried
out on an ongoing basis in the office, and are to be conducted at the beginning
of each workshop or project. Workshops or projects need to be assessed on a
regular basis as the level of risk is dependent on the art form or activity
e.g. working with chemicals poses a greater risk. This assessment includes Staff
work routines and practices, work space or area, and work aids or equipment
and its use.
Some environments and tasks are more hazardous than others. These include:
In the Office
Floors
Lighting
Electrical equipment
Manual tasks
Fumes from chemicals or poisons.
Maintenance of equipment (hoists, chairs etc)
Information Technology equipment.
At Workshops / Projects
Access to Workshops/ Projects
Lighting
Maintenance of equipment (paints, tables, chairs etc)
Floors
Electrical equipment
Manual tasks
Fumes from chemicals or poisons.
Access Arts Bus
9.2 Decide on control measures
Control measures include actions decided upon to reduce the risk of a hazard
causing harm to any person. Control measures may vary, due to the level of risk
the hazards poses. Hazards should be managed by the responsible Member of Staff
and the art Workers working on the programs/projects.
9.3 Implement control measures
When implementing control measures, Senior Staff Members should consider the
risk of harm to others. If a hazard is classed as a high risk of harm or injury
the hazard should be removed. Alternatively, if the hazard can be controlled,
appropriate action should be taken to control the hazard. If a hazard is considered
dangerous but cannot be removed Access Arts will relocate the program/project
to a safer environment.
It is also necessary to consider the monetary cost of implementing control
measures, secondary to the assessment of risk of harm to others. An example
of a cost versus risk situation is a frayed electrical cord. The cost of removing
the hazard is far less than the risk to anyone using the cord. Another example
is that of a cut down tree which has left a low stump creating an obstruction
entering the property. This would be a tripping hazard however, the cost of
removing the stump is expensive and the risk of serious injury is low therefore,
other control measures should be found. Examples of such control measures could
be putting up signage warning others of the obstruction, finding an alternate
route to the property or notifying the owners of the property.
9.4 Monitor and review outcomes
Access Arts will maintain close communication with Members and Workers to ensure
that the control measures introduced have eliminated or minimized the hazard
or risk, and to evaluate how effective these methods have been. This process
should be repeated as a continual cycle of improvement, where risks and hazards
should be identified and managed, in turn reducing illness or injury to all
concerned. Most importantly, however, it is vital to ensure the control measures
have not created additional hazards.
10. WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCEDURES
“Prevention is better than cure”. This clearly sums up what Workplace
Health and Safety is all about and what Access Arts is trying to achieve by
its policies and procedures. It is crucial that all Workers at Access Arts ensure
that the workplace is as safe as possible through the monitoring, controlling
and prevention of risk and hazards. By being aware of and working in accordance
with Health and Safety policies and procedures, Workers can help create a safe
working environment for all concerned. Working together as a team to prevent
accidents or illness will ultimately result in higher quality health and safety
for all Members, Workers and the Employer.
However, in a more formal manner, to meet its obligations the Employer will
conduct inspections of the workplaces once every 12 months to identify any hazards
and unsafe or unsatisfactory workplace health and safety conditions or practices.
Working collaboratively, the Members, Volunteers and Staff of Access Arts will
use the following format to confirm what a safe level is and identify any concerns
for future action.
10.1 What should you do if you identify a hazard?
Members and Workers are responsible for observing safe work practices, appropriately
using all protective aids or equipment provided, notifying the office of any
potential hazards and working in such a way that limits the risk of injury to
themselves, Members and others.
If a Member or Worker comes across a hazard or a potential hazard, they may
be able to eliminate the hazard if it poses little or no risk to the own personal
safety and wellbeing.
In the event that a Worker or Member is unable to fix the hazard themselves,
they must report the hazard to the Employer who will then work with the Member
or Worker to eliminate or reduce the hazard.
10.2 Preventing or Reducing Potential Risks
REMEMBER MURPHY’S LAW: If it can happen it will happen.
Preventing or reducing potential risks is very simple, and apart from being
observant, Workers should follow some basic procedures along with attending
training on Workplace Health and Safety.
Workers must follow safe work methods/practices at all times.
Workers will correctly use Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment as
directed, for example appropriate footwear or gloves.
Workers must follow any other barrier methods as directed to maintain good
infection control.
After initial Health and Safety Work Practices Training, Workers must be confident
in their ability to:
protect from communicable diseases
use equipment e.g. hoists, wheelchairs
use First Aid equipment e.g. gloves
perform Fire Safety and Prevention
10.3 Injury
The best way to avoid injury in the workplace is for everyone in the workplace
to be conscious of what may cause an injury. Workers must then:
Be aware of heavy or awkward jobs e.g. lifting from a low level
Look out for clutter, obstacles or things that could fall
Be aware of sharp objects sticking out
Be aware of any danger from fumes or chemicals
Ensure that there is sufficient space and ventilation when working with
chemicals and fumes
Be aware of what things could cause cuts, bruises, burns or sprains
Ask themselves what could go wrong
Ensure there are sufficient support Workers, e.g. is there adequate
workshop assistance, do the Members need to have their own carer or do we need
to modify the equipment.
Members and Workers are required to report any work-related injuries and occurrences
to Access Arts immediately.
10.4 Manual Handling
Access Arts’ duty of care does not extend to personal care requirements.
As such, Members as well as Workers, have a personal responsibility for their
own safety when carrying out tasks that involve manual handling.
Manual handling represents a high risk area for injuries within Access Arts.
Manual handling covers a wide range of activities including lifting, lowering,
pushing, pulling, holding, the carrying of people and objects. Most jobs and
activities in life involve some form of manual handling. When manual handling
is required, it is important to use the correct lifting principals that you
have been trained in.
If you need to complete a manual handling task, it is important to:
Know your limits
Know how to move materials
Know when to ask for help
Get close to the object when lifting
Think about how to position your back when lifting
Use your legs when lifting
Get a good grip when lifting
Think before you act.
Speed of work is never an excuse for poor lifting techniques. Lifting correctly
conserves energy and prevents injuries.
10.5 Equipment
Access Arts is responsible for training Workers to correctly use aids or devices
who, in turn, are responsible for using any aids or equipment in the proper
manner.
Equipment could be any number of items that are used in the course of carrying
out various tasks in the workplace. Workers are not expected to use faulty equipment
and should immediately report any concerns to Access Arts.
If equipment requires professional maintenance, Access Arts is responsible
for ensuring the maintenance is carried out.
10.6 First Aid
Workplace Health and Safety requires that all workplaces have a first aid kit.
This includes a First Aid Kit to be located at all times at the office, under
the Front Desk and at every project or program site with a Senior Staff Member.
All Workers must have completed a Basic First Aid Course. All Members and Workers
must also carry out the First Aid Policy.
10.7 Fire Safety and Precautions
Access Arts has developed an emergency evacuation procedure. The emergency evacuation
procedure includes:
If and how the Worker should attempt to put out the fire
When all people should be evacuated
When the fire brigade should be phoned
Where to go in case of evacuation
The location of the fire exits
Instances in which a Worker can assist Members to evacuate without endangering
themselves or others.
10.8 Clear labeling
All dangerous substances should be appropriately labeled and must be kept in
a safe place e.g. high up or locked in a steel cupboard. The likelihood of a
Worker or other person swallowing something not meant for drinking may be very
high if a container is inappropriately labeled.
10.9 Safe Electrical Appliances
The consequences of electrocution are extremely serious. Access Arts is responsible
for ensuring all electrical appliances are in good order. If an appliance or
a power point is faulty, the appliance or power point MUST NOT be used. Access
Arts should inform all Workers and remove anything unsafe from the general work
area. All Members and Staff must report any concerns about electrical appliances
to the Access Arts. Access Arts will get all electrical appliances checked and
tagged yearly.
10.10 Tripping and Slipping Hazards (such as power cords, mats or wet floors
etc).
Common sense is the best approach with these hazards, which exist in the office,
workshops and projects. Although it is difficult to completely eliminate this
type of hazard, simple precautionary measures can be applied, such as keeping
a cord raised off the ground or against a wall instead of running it through
the middle of a room.
Slippery floors are a common hazard in many places. To be “extra careful”,
Workers and Members must be made aware of the hazard, and if possible put up
a sign or rope off the area. The same applies for loose steps. If this is not
a viable option, look for another access point and report the fault to an Access
Arts Staff Member immediately.
10.11 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
The Workplace Health and Safety Act places an obligation on employees to wear
PPE if provided by the Employer. Employees are also to be trained in its use.
If Members or Workers do not wear the PPE provided by Access Arts or the workshop
/ project facilitators, they may not be covered by workers compensation or public
liability.
10.12 Equipment Training.
Training for Workers on the proper use of equipment must occur as soon as a
Worker is employed. If a Worker requires further training in safe procedures,
Access Arts will ensure such training is provided.
10.13 Protective Footwear
Wearing appropriate footwear is a part of health
and safety requirements. Workers must be aware of the need to wear protective
footwear when using machinery or potentially hazardous equipment and materials,
e.g. boots or enclosed shoes. It is also recommended that Members and Workers
wear appropriate footwear in all workplace situations, in order to reduce the
risk of any possible injury e.g. if there is glass on the floor.
10.14 Good ventilation where fumes or chemicals are used.
When working with any chemical, Workers and Members must ensure the space they
are working in is adequately ventilated. This is best achieved by opening a
window in the room where the chemicals are being used. Workers must read instructions
before using any chemicals to ensure they are familiar with its proper use.
If Members or Workers have any allergies, they should discuss the matter with
an Access Arts Senior Staff Member immediately.
10.15 Procedures for reporting potential hazards
There are potential hazards in every workplace. Workplace Health and Safety
requires Employers, Members and Workers to be proactive in making the workplace
safe, hence the need to report all “near misses”. A near miss could
be a slip or trip or maybe something falling from a bench or cupboard but not
hitting anyone. These types of incidents must be reported immediately through
the completion of an ‘Incidents and Near Misses’ form. The completed
form must then be forwarded to the office. Blank forms must be kept at the office
or with an Access Arts Senior Staff Member at workshop or project areas. When
a Member or Worker needs to report an incident or near miss at the office, they
can ask a Staff Member to print out a form, or print one out themselves. Once
received, these reports will be reviewed by the Access Arts Executive Director
and any follow up action will be taken. Please see Appendix E (Incident Report).
10.16 Procedures for reporting injuries/accidents that have occurred at work.
When an accident or injury occurs in the workplace, whether in the office or
at a project or workshop site, Workers and Members must act in accordance with
Workplace Health and Safety policies and procedures. Workers and Members must
ensure that injuries and accidents are recorded appropriately by filling out
the Injury Report form which must be returned to a Senior Staff Member as soon
as possible.
11. Infection Control
Access Arts’ duty of care does not extend to personal care requirements.
As such, personal care Members are to bring their own carer. That said however,
there are situations where Members and Workers must follow procedures in order
to promote infection control, such as when attending to First Aid.
Disposable gloves are provided by Access Arts, and must be worn by Workers in
the following circumstances:
In any activity where you are, or are likely to come into contact with
the body fluids or body substances of another person
Attending to a cut or wound, or applying creams/lotions
Cleaning up faeces, urine, vomit, or blood off floors or surfaces
Attending to soiled clothing
Gloves must always be located in the First Aid Kit at program/ project sites
and the office.
11.2 Washing hands
In order to minimize the risk of the transmission of infectious diseases, it
is critical that all Worker and Members practice good personal hygiene, such
as the washing of hands. It remains pertinent to remind Workers to wash their
hands with soap and water after visiting the toilet, after any of the above
mentioned activities, and before touching any food. Hand washing should also
occur after the removal and disposal of gloves.
11.3 Attending to an open wound
Employees must cover any cuts and sores they may have on their body with appropriate
dressings. Employees must assist Members to cover any cuts and sores they may
have with appropriate dressings, whilst wearing protective gloves. Methods such
as the wearing of gloves and the washing of hands should be applied for such
activities.
11.4 Cleaning up spills
Occasionally, Workers may need to clean up liquids such as urine or other bodily
fluids.
Depending upon the circumstances, Workers are advised to take the following
precautions:
11.5 Disposing of waste
There are all kinds of hazardous wastes that Workers will need to dispose of
such as rubbish, chemicals and bodily fluids or waste. Again Workers should
ensure they are protected when handling any hazardous material. Members or Workers
must send the waste materials to the appropriate places, as outlined in the
instructions on chemicals or advised by an Access Arts Senior Staff Member.
If the correct procedures are followed, the chance of transmission of any infectious
disease will be minimal or eliminated. However, if you suspect there has been
some transmission of infectious substance you should seek immediate medical
attention which may decrease the risk of a serious contamination.
Some transmittable viruses like Hepatitis can be of great concern to Members
and Workers. If you are involved in the following activities, you may wish to
be vaccinated against Hepatitis. This can be done through your local doctor:
In any activity where you are, or are likely to come into contact with
the body fluids or body substances of another person
Attending to a cut or wound, or applying creams/lotions
Cleaning up faeces, urine, vomit, or blood off floors or surfaces
Attending to soiled clothing
