WHS Part E: Workplace Health and Safety Portfolio Business Essay (Essay Sample)

WHS Part E: Workplace Health and Safety Portfolio
Task 1: Work Health and Safety Terminology
Terminology

Description

Client

A client refers to an individual that has been accepted officially by a healthcare facility and receives health care services without being admitted as an inpatient.

Worker

A worker is an individual working in a particular job at a certain institution working under a contract.

Workplace

A workplace is a location that has been set aside for employees to work.

Hazard

A hazard is an act, situation or source with potential harm in regards to human injury. Therefore, it is anything in the workplace with the potential of causing injury to the workers either an occupational disease or work accident (Nunes, n.d.).

Health and Safety representative

A healthy and safety representative is a member of the team working that is there to make sure employees are safe in anything they are engaged in while at work.

MSDS

MSDS is a document containing information on the possible hazards (environmental, fire, health and reactivity) and how to work safely with any chemical substance.

WHS

Workplace health and safety is the subject focused on protecting the health and safety of stakeholders in a workplace from any exposure to risks and hazards that results from work activities (Consult Australia, n.d.).

PPE

Personal protective equipment is equipment that protects workers against safety or health risks at work. It includes items such as safety footwear, high-visibility clothing, eye protection, safety helmets as well as gloves.

Risk assessment

Risk assessment is the process of, identifying, analysing and determining appropriate methods of eradicating any possible risk that might occur in a workplace.

Risk control

Risk control is a strategy aiming to identify, assess and prepare for any hazard that might interfere with normal operations within the workplace.

References
Consult Australia. Workplace Health & Safety (OHS). Retrieved 20 November 2019, from https://www.consultaustralia.com.au/Home/Advocacy/WHS
Nunes, I. Occupational safety and health risk assessment methodologies. Retrieved 20 November 2019, from https://oshwiki.eu/wiki/Occupational_safety_and_health_risk_assessment_methodologies
Task 2: Hierarchy of controls
#1
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/index.htm
#2
Hierarchy of controls is crucial since it leads to creation of systematic strategies of reducing and eliminating various hazards. Hierarchy of control is critical in offering disability services at the workplace, although employers in certain fields can only employ disabled people with the aptitude to meet job requirements. Therefore, employers are obliged to make suitable adjustments to accommodate disabled people at work if only they can enhance production in the workplace.
#3
Following workplace policies and procedures helps to minimise the risk of harm. First, I will make sure that I review these policies and procedures to understand where to go whenever there is a risk. Secondly, I will make sure that I know the mission of the organisation and its values. It helps to know the set behaviours for the employees.
#4
The hierarchy of controls meets the WHS standards for my states since it systematically starts with the controls that are seen to be the most efficacious and moves down to the least efficacious. The main idea is one starts choosing their control measure from the top of the hierarchy and work their way down the hierarchy.
Task 3: Manual handling tasks
Manual handling tasks must be well planned in order to enhance safety when lifting both heavy and lights loads. There are the needs to assess the type of load to be lifted in order to make decisions on whether to use a machine or not. Thus, effective control measures have to assessed and implemented in order to avoid injuries.
The following are the steps for the basic principles of lifting to avoid straining the lower back:
* Assess what needs to be done – One should consider the distances and weights involved, as well as heights from where the load needs to be lifted. It worth noting that one should not lift more than what they can handle safely.
* Deciding what can be lifted easily and safely – One needs to make a measured call pertaining what can be safely lifted based on the nature of the load, training and their capabilities.
* Identifying ways of minimising the risk – One is supposed to determine the best approach of lifting the load effectively to reduce the risk involved.
* Rearranging the task – If possible, it is worth noting if the load to be lifted can be re-designed to lift the load effectively. Re-arranging the load minimises the risk involved.
* Assessing the nature of the load – The kind of the load can be broken into lighter items for safe lifting.
* Assessing the work environment – The lifting environment should be clear with no obstacles. Lighting should be improved, and protective equipment needs to be used.
* Plan in advance how to carry out the risk – Planning will help minimise the risk. Workers need to decide what will be done and how it will be done. Besides, it is important to evaluate the optimum time for lifting.
* Using safe lifting techniques – Incorporating safe lifting techniques comprises maintaining a good posture and stable position, keeping the load to be lifted close to the body, keep the head up and lift smoothly (Callister, 2019).
Pointedly, it is essential not to attempt lifting by bending forward to prevent risks. Also, one should avoid twisting the body while holding or lifting a heavy object. In lifting, there are nor hard and fast rules. Every manual worker should carry out in an environment where manual handling needs unique consideration (Kimpel, 2012).
Equipment

Purpose

Manual lifter

Manual lifter helps to reduce the risk of injuries to an individual lifting equipment. It helps to lift the client from the floor into position. Also, it allows the client to be lifted and transferred with the least minimum effort.

Client hoist

This is an equipment that is utilised for lifting or lowering a load by means lift-wheel or a drum around which a chain wrap.

Wheelchair

It is a wheeled device that the user sits on it and is either propelled manually or by automated systems. It is used by people with walking difficulties.

Shower chair

This enables an individual to shower safely while sitting. It has a seat, arms, as well as backrest and the height, is usually adjustable. People with decreased balance either having mobility or physical strength difficulties use shower chair to shower safely and independently.

Transfer board

It is used to transfer someone from the wheelchair to either the seat of toilet, bed or into the car.

Slide sheet

It is utilised to minimise the effort needed to move a client, for instance, in bed. The material used to make slide sheet slides itself hence reduces the friction between the surface and the client.

Walking frame

This is used as walking aid for elderly people, disabled or injured people that need additional support to keep balance and stability while walking. It redistributes weight through the arms and transfers away from the legs, reducing fatigue. The broader base provides stability.

Vehicle ramp

It is used to raise an automobile from the ground when people want to access the undercarriage.

Procedure for using a shower chair
A shower chair has small holes that drain the water to reduce the risk of genital entrapment. Its height is adjustable allowing an individual to sit and stand comfortably. The leg length of the shower chair is adjusted by pushing the button in and sliding the leg piece down or up to the desired notch. The following procedure can be used by the community using the chair:
* To sit on the shower chair, one is supposed to move backwards until they feel the seat behind their legs, place your hands on the armrest to support the body and to avert the chair from slipping away. Afterwards, lower yourself down slowly.
* While getting off the shower chair, one should move their bottom to the front edge of the seat, making sure the feet are placed firmly on the ground. The armrest will be used to push oneself into standing starting with one’s head and shoulders.
Physical safety
Activity

Possible Injury

Minimise risk

Lifting and using equipment

Back or shoulder injuries due to improper lifting causing strains and sprains.

Encouraging the use of smart lifting practices that are less likely to strain the muscles, back sprains and other related injuries ...