Transcript OH & S - HVAC Education Australia

EKAS 2.18.1
Occupational Health &
Safety Principles
UEE31307 Certificate III in
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Stage 2A
Units: UEENEEPOO1B, UEENEEPOO2B, UEENEEPOO3B
Chris Hungerford
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Basic Legal Requirements
The Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 sets out the
laws about health and safety requirements affecting most
workplaces, work activities and specified high risk plant in
Queensland. It seeks to protect your health and safety and the
health and safety of everyone at a workplace, while
undertaking work activities or using specified high risk plant.
It specifically seeks to reduce the risk of a person's death, injury
or illness as a result of a workplace or work activity
2.18.1 A.1
Basic Legal Requirements
Workers rights and responsibilities
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2.18.1 A.2
You have a workplace health and safety obligation to yourself
and to others.
You must: comply with instructions given for workplace
health and safety
Use personal protective equipment if the employer provides it
and if you're properly instructed in its use
Not wilfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything
provided for workplace health and safety at the workplace
Not wilfully place others at risk
Not wilfully injure yourself
Basic Legal Requirements
People who conduct a business or undertaking
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A person who conducts a business or undertaking is considered a relevant person and
can include:
employers
self-employed people
volunteer organisations
A relevant person has an obligation to ensure the workplace health and safety of:
• all workers carrying out work for the business or undertaking
• volunteers who perform work activities for the business or undertaking
• all other people including customers, visitors to the workplace, passers by and
neighbours
• themselves
Meeting your workplace health and safety obligations involves:
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2.18.1 A.2
providing and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment;
providing and maintaining safe plant;
ensuring the safe use, handling, storage and transport of substances;
ensuring safe systems of work;
providing information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure health and safety.
Employer Obligations
Electrical Safety Act 2002
30 Obligation of employer or self-employed person
(1) This section applies to an employer or self-employed person.
(2) A person to whom this section applies has an obligation to ensure that the
person’s business or undertaking is conducted in a way that is electrically
safe.
(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the obligation includes—
(a) ensuring that all electrical equipment used in the conduct of the person’s
business or undertaking is electrically safe; and
(b) if the person’s business or undertaking includes the performance of
electrical work, ensuring the electrical safety of all persons and property
likely to be affected by the electrical work; and
(c) if the person’s business or undertaking includes the performance of work,
whether or not electrical work, involving contact with, or being near to,
exposed parts, ensuring persons performing the work are electrically safe.
2.18.1 A.2
Employee Obligations
Electrical Safety Act 2002
39 Obligations of worker
A worker at a place where electrical equipment is located has the following
obligations—
(a) to comply with the instructions for the electrical safety of persons and property at
the place given—
(i) by the worker’s employer; and
(ii) to the extent the instructions are not inconsistent with instructions given by the
worker’s employer, by the person in control of the electrical equipment;
(b) to use personal protective equipment, if—
(i) the protective equipment is provided by the worker’s employer or the person in
control of the
electrical equipment for electrical safety purposes; and
(ii) the worker is properly instructed in the use of the protective equipment provided;
(c) not to wilfully interfere with or misuse anything provided for electrical safety at
the place;
(d) not to wilfully place any person, including the worker, at the place in electrical
risk.
2.18.1 A.2
Personal Protective Equipment
No facial
protection
Non insulated
tools
Reduced protection
against burns
Incorrect
Nylon clothing
Thongs
2.18.1 A.2
Personal Protective Equipment
1000v rated
Insulated tools
Safety glasses
Insulated gloves
Extras
Helmet
Face shield
Dust mask
Etc.
Full body flame retardant
Clothing (high vis)
Leather upper steel capped
Rubber sole shoes
2.18.1 A.2
Basic Legal Requirements
Workplace health and safety officers (WHSO)
Any workplace with 30 or more employees is required by law to have a workplace health and
safety officer (WHSO).
Workplace health and safety officers are appointed by employers and principal contractors to:
• advise the employer on health and safety issues
• implement workplace health and safety related initiatives
• perform workplace inspections
• help with the functioning of the health and safety committee
Workplace health and safety officers appointed under the Workplace Health and Safety Act
1995 must conduct an assessment of the workplace at least once every twelve months to
identify any unsafe work practices. The WHSO must follow the assessment criteria set
out by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, or the one agreed to by the workplace
health and safety committee at the workplace.
The WHSO must record and submit the results, and any recommendations to rectify unsafe
work practices, to the employer or principal contractor and the Workplace Health and
Safety Committee at the workplace, within 30 days of completing the assessment.
Employers and principal contractors must:
• provide resources to allow the WHSO to conduct the assessment during normal working
hours
• take appropriate action to rectify any unsafe work practices identified in the assessment
• Assessments and recommendations, and other matters recorded must be kept by the
employer or principal contractor for five years.
2.18.1 A.3
Basic Legal Requirements
Workplace health and safety representatives (WHSR)
Workers may elect a workplace health and safety representative themselves, or
at the employer's suggestion.
Elected workplace health and safety representatives (WHSR's) are entitled to:
• undertake workplace inspections
• report hazards
• review incidents
• issue provisional improvement notices (where the WHSR has completed
the approved training)
After conducting an internal investigation a WHSR may:
• make recommendations in via a hazard report (WPH&S Act form 2003)
• provide the form to the employer - WHSRs must keep a copy
• issue a provisional improvement notice depending on the circumstances
surrounding the issue being investigated.
• If the issues are not satisfactorily resolved by the Workplace Health and
Safety Officer, the employer or self-employed person, the WHSR may
notify a Workplace Health and Safety Queensland inspector.
2.18.1 A.3
Basic Legal Requirements
Workplace health and safety committees
Health and safety committees help workers and employers work together to make a
workplace healthy and safe.
A worker can ask for a health and safety committee. Once a worker has asked for a
committee, the employer is required by law to appoint one. Employers can also
establish a health and safety committee without a worker asking for one.
In some larger workplaces, there can be more than one health and safety
representative. There may also be more than one committee. Major employers
may have different health and safety representatives, and committees, at
different offices.
Their role includes:
• encouraging and maintaining an active interest in workplace health and safety
• considering training and education needs to address workplace health and safety
issues
• keeping workers up-to-date with new standards, rules and procedures
• reviewing the circumstances surrounding workplace incidents
• helping resolve issues about workplace health and safety
• providing the employer with advice on how to address workplace health and
safety issues
• requirements in relation to workplace health and safety committees.
2.18.1 A.3
Basic Legal Requirements
Workplace Health and Safety inspectors
Under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 inspectors have particular
legal powers. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland inspectors are
appointed primarily to assist employers develop and improve systems of
work, to prevent people from being injured or becoming ill as a result of
their daily work activities.
The main areas of focus for inspectors include:
• high risk industries - manufacturing and construction
• work-related fatalities - falls from heights or electricity incidents
• occupational injury black spots - where evidenced based analysis reveals
an occupation is over-represented in terms of severe injuries.
All inspectors may enter a workplace and exercise their powers while they are
in the workplace. Inspectors also have the right to enter any place where:
• demolition work or asbestos removal work (prescribed activities) is being
done by a person who holds a certificate for that work, and
• there is specified high risk plant, for example lifts, amusement devices,
cooling towers, air conditioning units, escalators, LP gas cylinders
2.18.1 A.4
Basic Legal Requirements
Workplace Health and Safety inspectors
After entering the workplace the inspector has the power to:
• search any part of the place
• inspect, measure, test, photograph or film any part of the workplace or anything at the workplace
• take samples
• copy a document at the workplace
• make enquiries or conduct surveys to assess the degree of risk at the workplace or the standards
of health and safety existing at a workplace
• inquire into the circumstances and probable causes of workplace incidents
• take any person, equipment or materials into the workplace to assist the inspector to exercise a
power
• require a person to give reasonable help
• require a person to produce certain documents or ask other people to provide these documents,
for example maintenance records kept by a mechanic contracted by an employer to do the work.
An inspector may seize:
• evidence of an offence against the Act
• a thing that has been used to commit an offence against the Act
• a dangerous place or thing
Most of the time inspectors carry out their role without the need to formally exercise their powers.
However, their authority to use these powers is necessary, particularly when they are
investigating incidents and intervening where there are dangerous work practices.
It is an offence to obstruct, threaten or interfere with an inspector who is exercising their powers
under the Act.
2.18.1 A.4
Personal Safety
General
• Ensure work method statements prepared, signed off and available
• Ensure workers have general safety induction card
• Display appropriate site signage
• Use appropriate safety gear
Tools/equipment
• Make sure maintain insulated tools
• Ensure tools and equipment maintenance in good condition
• Use tools and equipment for intended purpose
• Make sure guards are in place when used
Work at heights
• Keep controls in place if risk of fall = 2 m for commercial and 3 m for domestic.
• Provide and use adequate work platforms
• Ensure no gaps in perimeter protection
• Make sure penetrations covered/secured
Falling objects
• Do not throw tools and materials
• Make sure brick guards/mesh are in place in scaffold
• Use exclusion zone and/or catch platform
• Ensure controls implemented for loads being lifted over adjoining areas e.g.
adjoining area closed/gantry erected
2.18.1 B.1
Personal Safety: Industrial house keeping
Access/housekeeping
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Keep working area clear/tidy
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Manage trip hazards e.g. material neatly stacked
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Dispose excess waste & scraps appropriately e.g. designated areas
Noise : Ensure controls implemented to minimise exposure e.g. hearing protection.
Amenities
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Provide sheltered meal area
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Ensure workers have access to toilets (1 toilet for each 15 workers or part thereof)
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Provide hand and face washing facilities (separate from toilets)
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Ensure workers have access to potable, clean and cool drinking water
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Make sure first aid equipment provided is hygienic and appropriate for the size and complexity of the project
Hot or cold environments
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Recognise illnesses caused by heat exposures e.g. heat stress and heat collapse, dehydration, salt depletion and
cramps
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Ensure workers have adequate fluid intake
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Recognise cold stress through low air temperatures, wet and windy conditions
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Ensure workers take precautions e.g. wear cloves, warm dry clothing
Occupational stress
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Monitor work demands and control over work
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Provide support systems for talking about tough situations at work
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Provide clear work structures, particularly through times of change
Occupational violence
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Use design or engineering measures to change the physical characteristics of the workplace, to reduce the risk,
where possible.
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Change the systems of work or work practices to help reduce risks. For example, train workers in aggressive
behaviour management, including the recognition and diffusion of potentially volatile situations; ensure
sufficient number of appropriately trained staff, where possible; provide for emergency communication;
implement a system of communication and support for home visits.
2.18.1 B.2
Personal Safety: Pollution
Hazardous substances
• Make Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available for substances
classified as hazardous.
• Store hazardous substances safely and securely when not in use
• Train workers in safe handling of hazardous substances.
• Label hazardous substances (includes safety and risk phrases)
• Do not store hazardous substances in food and/or drink containers (e.g.
hydrochloric acid not stored in drink bottles)
Emergency preparedness and response
• Use an effective safe system of work
• Ensure emergency actions should be taken that suit the work being
undertaken
• Keep fire extinguishers available and testing current
• Make sure cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid including treatment
of burns.
• Brief workers on emergency evacuation plan
2.18.1 B.3
Workplace Safety Checks
To assist in identifying risks, they may be
categorised as follows:
• The obvious risk is apparent to the senses
(e.g. visibly damaged electrical equipment).
• The concealed risk is not apparent to the
senses (e.g. electricity supply infrastructure
inside walls).
• The developing risk cannot be recognised
immediately and will develop over
time (e.g. fraying electrical extension cords
due to surface contact).
• The transient risk is an intermittent or a
temporary risk (e.g. use of lifting
equipment near overhead lines or intermittent
electrical defect).
Lucky
2.18.1 C.1
Workplace Safety Checks
2.18.1 C.2
The five step risk management process
Unsafe work practices
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2.18.1 D.1
Unauthorized electrical work.
Inadequate work practices.
Live work.
Disregarding earthing circuits.
Untested test equipment.
Lack of tool maintenance.
Laziness & fatigue.
Workplace fool.
Untested work before commencing work.
Untested work connected to a supply.
Disregard to Australian Standards.
Physiological effect of an electric shock
There are four ways in which electric shock
may be directly fatal.
1. respiratory arrest
2. asphyxia
3. ventricular fibrillation
4. high voltage burns & cuts.
Dangerous electrical voltages are low as 15v AC. 5v AC in a pool does kill.
2.18.1 D.1
Circuit breakers & Fuses
A circuit breaker is a type of switch that opens
automatically if the current through the breaker
exceeds its maximum load current rating.
A safety factor of a CB is the ‘trip free action’, if a fault is still present in the
circuit, the CB cannot be reset and switched on. Even if you hold the toggle
in the ‘on’ position, the contacts will not close.
A fuse (from the Latin "fusus" meaning to melt) is a
type of sacrificial over current protection device.
Its essential component is a metal wire or strip that melts when too much
current flows, which interrupts the circuit in which it is connected. Short
circuit, overload or device failure is often the reason for excessive current.
2.18.1 D.2
2.18.1 D.2
2.18.1 D.2
Residual-current device (RCD)
A residual-current device is an electrical
protection device that disconnects a circuit
whenever it detects that the electric current is not
balanced between the energized conductor and the
return neutral conductor.
2.18.1 D.2
2.18.1 D.2
2.18.1 D.2
2.18.1 D.2
10.3 Circuit
breakers
2.18.1 D.2
Safe Isolation of a Supply
• Test before you touch, this protects you physically,
so you can have a good day!
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2.18.1 D.3
Procedure to isolate a Supply
Notify all persons likely to be affected by the isolation.
Determine the method to isolating the supply.
Test the supply availability.
Isolate the supply.
Danger tag the isolation device.
Test that the supply is isolated.
Test the testing device.
Low voltage rescue
Rescue kit
• Rescue kits must be checked prior to
commencement of work.
• The rescue kit should be placed in a
suitable position which is accessible to the
work area.
2.18.1 E
Rescue Kit contents
• High Visibility Carry bag containing the following:
• Insulated crook
• Gloves in protective cover 1000v rated
• Sign “Isolate Here In Emergency”
• Fire blanket
• Torch with fresh batteries
• Burns dressing.
2.18.1 E
Low voltage rescue
General principles for a rescue
1 Isolate supply if possible
2.18.1 E
Low voltage rescue
General principles for a rescue
2 Avoid becoming another victim due to the
risk of electrical shock, extreme heat, toxic
fumes or smoke.
2.18.1 E
Low voltage rescue
General principles for a rescue
3
Avoid direct skin-to-skin contact with the victim
- use the insulated crock and 1000V long rubber gloves.
2.18.1 E
Low voltage rescue
General principles for a rescue
4 Assess the situation and rescue the victim
as quickly as possible.
Correct
Wrong
2.18.1 E
Wrong
Low voltage rescue
General principles for a rescue
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2.18.1 E
Move the victim to a clear, safe area to allow
for assessment/treatment.
Assess the victim’s condition
Perform resuscitation/treatment of injuries
Place the victim in the recovery position.
Rescuer to remain with the victim.
Low voltage rescue
General principles for a rescue
Should the victim be touched by the rescuer?
Yes, the gloves are rated at 1000Va.c therefore to perform a rescue you
may need to adjacent touch conductive items or the victim.
2.18.1 E
Low voltage rescue
General principles for a rescue
In the event of an electric shock the victim’s
grip is very intense. Break the grip with a
sharp blow against the open palm.
2.18.1 E
Low voltage rescue
General principles for a rescue
When using other non conductive rescuing
items, don’t swing and hit, use as a lever
in a controlling manner.
2.18.1 E
Low voltage rescue
General principles for a rescue
Send for help as soon as the situation allows
2.18.1 F
Low voltage rescue
Treatment while awaiting medical assistance
• Use fire blanket if victim is on fire.
• Keep victim under constant observation, breathing
circulation, etc.
• If flash burns of eyes, close both eyes.
• Flood burnt area with cold water, 10min.
• Cover burnt area with sterile dressing, Continue to
irrigate the dressing and burnt area.
• Apply pressure to bleeding.
• Elevate the injured part.
• Monitor for the onset of shock.
2.18.1 F
Low voltage rescue
Accident
Rescuer’s safety
No
Rescue kit, Gloves & crook
Correct PPE
Yes
Isolate Supply
Free victim
Yes
Fire
Use fire
blanket
Unsafe
area
Use drag
method
No
No
Yes
Clear area
Assess victim’s condition
Resuscitate, treat burns & injuries
2.18.1 E
2.18.1.F
Await medical assistance
Send for help
as soon as the
situation allows
Further reading:
• Workbook: Occupational Health & Safety.
Questions:
•Workbook: Topic 1 Workplace health & Safety Q1-Q99
Bazz