The Working Environment

Assess your Workplace

It is always a good time to have a good look and assess our workplaces

Find The Hazards  -

The first thing you need to do is to find the hazards in your workplace – that is, find anything with the potential to cause harm.  Some hazards will be obvious because they'll be common to your area, but others won’t be because you see them every day.

• Look at every task in your workplace to find potential hazards.  Write everything down that needs attention.
• Not all injuries are immediately obvious. Some are only discovered over time, such as illnesses caused by long-term exposure to certain chemicals.  These include the fumes off spray paints and solvents.
• Think about any injuries you have had.  Is there something that keeps recurring, such as back strains or scratches from protruding material? If you don't currently keep a written record of workplace injuries – and near misses – start now.
• Simple check list:
  • How do you use powered saws and drills?
  • How do you store off cuts, do you keep your floor clean?
  • Do you make sure all the lights are working?
  • Have you had your electrical equipment and power cords checked lately?
  • Do you wear the appropriate safety clothes?
  • When was the last time you read an instruction manual, especially the safe operating procedure?
  • Are the passage ways and corridors between your equipment clear and safe to use?
  • Do you use the recommended safety guards?
  • Do you use the correct lubricants and types of bits in your cutting equipment?
  • Take a look at what an inspector would check for –
    view the safer work zones www.worksafe.vic.gov.au (under Safety and Prevention).

Assess The Risks

After you've made your list of possible hazards, you need to assess the risk – that is, make a judgment about the seriousness of each hazard, and decide which hazard requires the most urgent attention.

Take a close look at each item on your list. What is the possible outcome if things go wrong?

• Are we talking about scratches and bruises, or is there potential for you to be seriously injured or even killed? Is it an everyday thing, or something that only comes up now and then, giving you more time to find a solution? Are there things you can do right now, as a short-term fix, while you work out a permanent solution?
• Once you've worked out which hazards have the greatest potential to cause injury or disease, mark them as your high-priority hazards. After that, rank them in priority order from highest to lowest priority.
• Your list should be regularly reviewed and updated. You need to continually monitor every aspect of your workplace and make sure any potential new hazards are immediately identified. 

Fix The Problems

When you've prioritised the hazards on your list, you need to start immediately on the most important step of all – fixing the problems.

• Your first aim should be to totally remove the risk. For example, if the risk involves a hazardous chemical, try to find a safe alternative to the chemical. If there is a slipping or tripping hazard in your workplace, see if it can be removed.   If a task is intrinsically dangerous, look for alternative ways to complete the task.
  
  If it's not possible to totally remove a risk, you need to find ways to control it. You might have to alter the way certain jobs are done, change, or provide recommended protective equipment.

You'll often find there are simple solutions to many of the hazards in your workplace. Most of them will be inexpensive, and some will cost nothing at all. Of course, sometimes there are no straightforward solutions. What do you do then? Seek advice – Check out publications, talk to others to see how they’ve handled similar problems.

AND REMEMBER…. NO JOB REQUESTED IS TOO URGENT TO NOT BE DONE SAFELY

What is it?  And what does it mean for TADSA volunteers?

Courtesy of TADVIC Newsletter 

It is the principle that volunteers and paid staff should be able to go to work and come home alive and uninjured.  It is a simple goal and, knowing that no-one consciously wants to be injured, it should be simple to achieve.  But staff (paid and unpaid) do get injured.

Why do Injuries Occur?  - Injuries occur because we make bad decisions, we don’t rate our safety highly enough and we don’t cover all the possible things that could go wrong.

DO:-

Look at what you are doing and consider how you might be injured if things go wrong.

• Consider how to reduce the chance of  things going wrong.
• Ensure you are fully trained and equipped
• Keep as fit and well as you can.
• Remember, your safety is your concern.
• Look around at your environment.
• Periodically analyse and assess the way you do your work.
• Vary your work tasks every hour.
• Use appropriate safety gear.
• Remind fellow workers if they are being unsafe.

DON’T

• Go to work in less than optimal condition.  If you are sick, stay at home.
• Distract other people at work.
• Rush at your work.
• Take short cuts.
• Bend your back incorrectly
• Take risks for the sake of getting the job done – that’s how many ‘accidents’ happen.
• Ignore hazards – take action, report them.

Preventing and Reducing the Risk of Workplace Injuries

This can be facilitated by making small changes to the working environment. Below are some ideas for changes to the workplace, alternative techniques and commercially available equipment that can assist you to do your job.

Changes to the workplace environment

• Prevent glare from a computer monitor, whiteboard or window by using curtains or blinds, or, if possible, relocate the item to an area with less glare.
• Reduce clutter by ensuring your work area is tidy and free from tripping hazards.
• Ensure the computer monitor is at an appropriate height. The top of the computer monitor should be at head height so that the screen falls within your normal line of sight when sitting on your chair without bowing your head or neck.
• If standing, most work should be done between hip and shoulder height.
• If multiple users are working from one desk, make sure you adjust the height of chair/desk before you begin activities.
• Organise your work area. Put frequently used items within easy reach, lightweight items on shelving above your desk, and heavy/rarely used items in a more accessible area.
• Take regular breaks to stretch, drink water and look elsewhere to rest your eyes.
• Use an air conditioner, electric fan, or open a window for adequate air. This    also assists to maintain an appropriate temperature of your work area for   the climate.

Alternative methods for workplace tasks

• Avoid carrying heavy items. If possible, slide an item across a bench or desk.
• If another person is available, ask them to help you lift or carry a heavy item.
• When carrying or lifting items, ensure you have a good grip, bend your knees, keep an upright posture and hold the item close to your body.
• If you have to reach high for items, use a ladder or footstall if possible.
• If reaching for items placed down low or on the floor, bend or kneel down.
• Take rest breaks and do some stretches throughout the working day.
• Change your posture and vary the tasks you are working on from time to time.

Brochures are available from the Independent Living Centre on “How to Adjust Your Work Chair”, “Writing Aids” and “Selecting the Right Chair”. They contain information that may be helpful and are free of charge.

The Working Environment – Equipment

A wide range of equipment is commercially available to assist people to undertake activities within their workplace. The Independent Living Centre has a range of vocational equipment on display. These include:

writing aids and pencil grips

• encourage the correct positioning of the fingers on pens and pencils
• guides and templates encourage writing in straight lines

book holders and copy holders

• save desk space
• improve posture by reducing the need to bow your head

fixed and adjustable height desks and workstations

• desks should have sufficient space for all required items, be at an appropriate height and you should be able to rest your elbows comfortably on it.
• desk legs should not restrict your movement.

wrist and forearm supports

• used on desks for writing or for computer use (for typing or using a mouse)
• reduce strain on the wrists and forearms
• encourage an ergonomic position

laptop computer holders - height and angle adjustable to reduce the need to bow the head and change the angle of the keyboard

stools, footrests and chairs

• chair size should be appropriate to suit your body and the chair should support your thighs,  provide a comfortable and supportive seating position and be an appropriate height for you and the desk (both feet should rest flat on the floor)
• ensure armrest height is appropriate and comfortable.
• range includes adjustable height chairs, sit-kneel chairs, various gas lift stools

backrests, neck and lumbar supports - encourage good posture and support the back and neck

portable and angled work surfaces

• tilting the desk surface towards you encourages good neck posture
• portable for multiple users/work areas

workstation accessories

• computer screen filters to reduce glare
• various lights and lamps provide adequate lighting and reduce the risk of eyestrain and maintain alertness

switches, computer mice and keyboards

• foot operated or hands-free (head or infra-red operated) computer mice
• large button mice, switch mice
• large button keyboards with alternative layouts for vision and ease of use

keyboard platforms and monitor supports

• increase the height of the computer monitor to encourage correct posture
• change the angle/increase the height of a keyboard for alternative wrist and hand positioning

work-tools - tools with ergonomic handles for easier grip

industrial trolleys and carts - reduce the need to lift and carry heavy items

industrial mats and floor treatments

• slip-resistant flooring reduces the risk of slipping or falling on flooring surfaces
• anti-fatigue flooring helps to reduce pain and fatigue from standing or walking for long periods of time

storage systems - promote tidiness and organization and improve safety by removing clutter

For further information or to make an appointment to visit the display area please contact the Independent Living Centre.