Carrum Down Distribution Centre Communicating … Down Distribution Centre Communicating Occupational Health & Safety across languages Under section 22(1) (c) of the Occupational Health

Carrum Down Distribution Centre

Communicating Occupational Health & Safety across languages

Under section 22(1) (c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (the OHS Act) employers are furtherrequired to provide information to employees (in appropriate languages) about health and safety at theworkplace, including the names of people to whom an employee may make an inquiry or complaint abouthealth and safety. Checklist – Pg 6

Know the Workforce-Building a language Profile

Make a Plan- Set out procedures and budgets & Access current Health and Safety information

Communicate for understanding- Use appropriate forms of communication, Use Plain Language,Use standard Safety Sign, Get translations, Check that employees understands the instructions

Provide language support- Provide interpreter services, Use bilingual facilitators

Provide Training- Provide induction training, Teach common workplace terms, Offer English-language training, Train supervisors, Tailor ongoing training to language needs

Carrum Down Distribution Centre- Complies, all English speakers

Workplace Amenities and Facilities

This compliance code provides practical guidance to employers on how to comply with the law in relation toproviding adequate facilities for employees. Section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (theOHS Act) requires employers to provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risk toemployees’ health, so far as is reasonably practicable.

Section 21(2)(d) requires that, in meeting their duty under section 21(1), an employer must provide, so far as isreasonably practicable, adequate facilities for the welfare of employees at any workplace under theemployer’s management and control. Employers owe the same duty to independent contractors and theiremployees who are working at the workplace, but only for matters over which the employer has, or shouldhave, control. Important for the basic health, safety and welfare of employees

Must have amenities within a workplace environment- toilets, clean drinking water, handwashing facilities

Depends heavily on the workplace activities taking place. Examples on Pg 5

Depends on the industry and the venue of the workplace- guidelines on pg6

Depends on the composition of the workforce- Number of employees, both males and femalesand people with special needs

Access to amenities- safe, easily accessible

Amenities

1. Drinking Water- Clean drinking water needs to be provided for employees at all times.Drinking fluids is essential for normal body functioning.How to comply:

Free of charge, supplied so that there is one drinking point for every 40 employeesand situated within 30 metres of each employee or within reach of employees whocannot leave their work task.

Distribution Centre complies

Water quality: Drinking water needs to be clean, safe for consumption, cool and palatable


Design: Drinking water provided by employers needs to be:

From outlets that are separate from toilet or washing facilities to avoidcontamination


Hygienically provided by means of disposable or washable drinking containers ordelivered by a drinking fountain so that employees do not share drinking containers.


2. Toilets (Ratio table on pg 10 )

All employees need to have access to clean and hygienic toilet facilities at all times. Number andgender ratios:

The number of toilets required for employees depends on the number of employees, thecomposition of the workforce and the type of building. In some workplaces, the schedulingof employees’ breaks will also affect the number of toilets required. In most workplaces,toilets provided for employees need to be separate from those for other people, such asvisitors, clients or the public.

Generally, separate toilets need to be provided in workplaces where there are both male andfemale employees. However, one unisex toilet may be provided in workplaces with bothmale and female employees where: the total number of people who normally work at theworkplace is 10 or fewer or the total number of people who normally work at the workplaceis 10 or fewer

For example, a workplace with two male and eight female employees or with one female andthree male employees could have a unisex toilet because there are 10 or fewer employees intotal and two or fewer employees of one gender. A unisex toilet comprises one closet pan,one washbasin and means for the disposal of sanitary items.


DesignS47- Toilets need to comply with authorised or approved design standards

s48- Where it is not reasonably practicable to provide access to permanent toilets, portable toilets need to beprovided. Portable toilets need to be installed securely to prevent them toppling over or becoming unstableand need to be provided with a lockable door, lighting and ventilation.

S49- Toilets need to be fitted with a hinge seat and a lid provided with adequate lighting and ventilation Clearly Marked Fitted with a hinge door capable of locking the inside on each cubicle Designed to enable emergency access Located separately from any other room by a soundproof wall or by a separate entrance Separated from any other room by an airlock Distribution Centre complies

Access

In most cases, employers are expected to provide toilet facilities for employees, rather than relying on accessto external public toilets.

Toilets need to be accessible, preferably located inside a building or as close as possible to the workplace, toeliminate or reduce any risk to employee safety while accessing them. In multi-storey buildings, toilets need tobe located on at least every second storey. For short-term temporary workplaces and workplaces in remoteareas, a temporary toilet needs to be provided in a secure place with safe access. Distribution Centre complies

Facilities for toilets

An adequate supply of toilet paper for each toilet

Hand washing facilities consistent with the requirements of this compliance code Rubbish bins

Adequate and hygienic means for disposing of sanitary items for toilets used by female employees. Distribution Centre complies

Designs56 Hand washing facilities need to:• be accessible at all times to the work areas, the dining room or eating areas and the toilets

• be separate from troughs or sinks used in connection with work processes

Be protected from the weather

• have an area of at least 1m2 of clear space allocated for each water outlet, including water outlets located inareas to which a minimum size applies, such as dining rooms


FacilityHand washing facilities need to include:

both hot and cold water outlets or temperature mixing outlets

non-irritating soap or other cleaning product, such as by means of a dispenser

Hygienic hand drying (eg disposable paper towels and disposal facilities, a launderedcontinuous cloth towel or hot air dryers for hand drying). Hand drying cloth towelscannot be shared.


Number (Ratio provided on pg 13)The number of hand washing basins required depends on the number of employees, the composition of theworkforce, the type of building and the kind of work that is done.

Dining facilitiesemployees need to have access to hygienic facilities for preparing and eating meals while atwork.


Designing dining facilities

66. A separate dining room needs to be provided where:• 10 or more employees usually eat at a workplace at one time

• the nature of the work causes a risk to the health, safety or welfare of employees from preparing food oreating in the workplace. Separate Dining Area do not have to be provided but it currently is, therefore, it complies with the guide.

67. The dining room needs to:• be hygienic and waterproof• be separated from any hazard (including noise, heat, atmospheric contaminants and toilet facilities)• be separate from any work process• meet the temperature range requirements contained in this compliance code.


68. Dining rooms also need to allow 1m2 of clear space for each person likely to use the dining room at onetime. The clear space is calculated free of any furniture, fittings or obstructions. This means that the minimumsize of a dining room for 10 employees would be 10m2, plus additional space for dining furniture, fittings suchas sinks and benches, and obstructions such as pillars.


69. A separate dining room does not have to be provided where there are nine or fewer employees whousually eat at one time as long as there is no risk to the health, safety or welfare of employees from preparingfood or eating in the workplace. However, a dining area needs to be provided that is:• Hygienic and waterproof• separated from hazards• separated from the work process• Free of tools and work materials.


70. Some employees may have access to dining facilities in a shared or public canteen or cafeteria, althoughthe employees may work for different employers.Employers need to ensure that these dining facilities are able to accommodate all their employees who mayuse them and that employees can access the facilities free of charge.


For smaller permanent workplaces (nine or fewer employees) where the work poses no risk from preparingfood or eating in the workplaceA separate dining area needs to be provided. It needs to be hygienic, protected from the weather and hazards,and free of tools and work materials. If a facility such as a shared or public canteen or cafeteria is accessible toemployees in a building near the workplace, employers need to ensure that this facility is available to allemployees free of charge.The workplace needs to have a sink with running water and a clean storage cupboard. Some crockery andcutlery needs to be provided, as well as washing utensils and detergent, facilities for boiling water and rubbishbins. The eating area and appliances need to be cleaned regularly and rubbish removed at least daily.


3. Personal Storage Employees need to have access to hygienic facilities for preparing and eating meals while at work. Secure storage of personal property also needs to be ensured when employees are not normally

working in one workplace. Distribution Centre complies

4. Change RoomsEnables personal items (such as handbags, jewellery, personal identification documents, personalmedication or hygiene supplies) to be stored securely while the employee is at work


5. Shower facilitiesEmployees, who undertake work that requires strenuous effort, leaves them dirty or smelly, or couldexpose them to infectious agents or other contaminants, need to have access to showers beforeleaving work.

6. Amenities for special workplaces

Outdoor

Employer – provided accommodation

7. Workspace Work area116. Workplace design and layout needs to enable workstations to be accommodated in the safestconfiguration. Workstations need to provide clear space for employees. The clear space needs to be exclusiveof desks, benches, machinery and any other fittings. The space required needs to be based on an assessmentthat takes into account:• The task• The physical actions needed to perform the task• The need to move around while working• Whether the task is to be performed from a sitting or standing position• Access to and egress from the workstation• The equipment to be handled and personal protective equipment that might have to be used.

1. Temperature2. Ventilation, air quality and air-conditioning3. Lighting4. Seating5. Floors6. Emergency Planning

Confined Space

The purpose of this compliance code is to provide practical guidance on how to meet the requirements of Part3.4 – Confined Spaces – of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 (the Regulations).

1. Determine if its confined space

Is the space enclosed or partially enclosed?

Is it likely to be entered and is it at normal atmospheric pressure?

Does the space have a limited or restricted entry or exit?

Is the space likely to contain : An atmosphere that has a harmful level ofcontaminant or an atmosphere that does not have a safe oxygen level or anysubstance that could have caused engulfment (Table on pg5)

If it is a confined space, more steps will have to follow including eliminating theneed to enter the confined space and duties of employers

Not Applicable

First aid in the workplace

The law requires employers to provide, so far as is reasonably practicable, a safe working environment andadequate facilities for the welfare of their employees. Section 21(2)(d) requires that, in meeting their dutyunder section 21(1), an employer must provide, so far as is reasonably practicable, adequate facilities for thewelfare of employees at any workplace under the employer’s management and control.

Two options available:

Prescribed approach

Risk assessment approach

Prescribed approach

This option provides detailed guidance on how to comply with the OccupationalHealth and Safety Act 2004 (the OHS Act), including:

The number of first aid officers to be provided as well as their duties and training

The number of first aid kits to be provided and their contents

The number of first aid rooms to be provided and their requirements

Generally most useful approach for small to medium-sized organizations (PG10 forcompany category)

Risk assessment approach

Organisations with large and diverse workplaces or a complex range of occupational health and safety (OHS)hazards need to choose this option. Other organisations with sufficient expertise and resources may find thatthe risk assessment approach allows them the flexibility to devise a ‘tailor-made’ solution for their particularcircumstances. However, it is open to any employer to choose this approach.

Number of employees has to be known at each facility before determining which approach to take.

Low risk workplacesEmployees are not exposed to hazards that could result in serious injury or illness that would requireimmediate medical treatment such as those associated with plant, hazardous substances, dangerous goods,confined spaces and hazardous manual handling.

The business is located where medical assistance or ambulance services are readily available to the communityand to the workplace where the business operates.

Low-risk workplaces include offices, libraries and most retail operations

Higher Risk workplacesHigher-risk workplaces are those where employees may be exposed to hazards that could result in seriousinjury or illness that would require immediate medical treatment. Higher risk workplaces includemanufacturing plants, kitchens, motor vehicle and body panel workshops, medical research facilities andforestry operations

First aid kitsLocation and quantity45. In low-risk workplaces, compliance is achieved by providing:• One first aid kit for 10 to 50 employees - Distribution Centre Complies• One additional kit for every additional 50 employees up to 200• One additional kit for every 100 additional employees above 200.

46. In higher-risk workplaces, compliance is achieved by providing:• One first aid kit, including specific first aid kit modules, for up to 25 employees• Two kits, including specific first aid kit modules, for up to 50 employees• One additional kit, including specific first aid kit modules, for every additional 50 employees.Not Applicable for the Distribution Centre

47. Where an employee or group of employees does not have timely access to appropriate medical andambulance services, compliance is achieved by providing at least one kit for every 25 employees. For isolated,remote locations or mobile workplaces, employees need to have access to appropriate first aid kits.Not Applicable for the Distribution Centre

48. Where there are separate work areas, it may be appropriate to locate first aid facilities centrally andprovide portable first aid kits in each work area. This may include motor vehicles.Not Applicable for the Distribution Centre

Container49. The container needs to protect the contents of the first aid kit from dust and damage. If any additional firstaid kit modules are to be included, the container needs to be large enough to hold them, preferably inseparate compartments.The container needs to be easily recognisable (eg with a white cross on a green background prominentlydisplayed on the outside and clearly marked as ‘First aid kit’) and should not be locked. Distribution Centre CompliesContents50. Appropriate first aid arrangements will vary from one workplace to the next.Employers need to ensure that first aid kits are adequately stocked for their workplace. First aid kit contents have to be refilled51. A first aid kit needs to include:• Basic first aid notes• Disposable gloves• Resuscitation mask• Individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings• Sterile eye pads (packet)• Sterile coverings for serious wounds• Triangular bandages• Safety pins• Small sterile un-medicated wound dressings• Medium sterile un-medicated wound dressings• Large sterile un-medicated wound dressings• Non-allergenic tape• Rubber thread or crepe bandage• Scissors• Tweezers• Suitable book for recording details of first aid provided• Sterile saline solution• Plastic bags for disposal.

52. It is recommended that the name and telephone number of workplace first aid officers, as well asemergency services telephone numbers and addresses, be located in or in close proximity to each first aid kit. Yet to be provided53. Items that may be reused, such as scissors and tweezers, need to be thoroughly cleaned using warm soapywater or an alcohol swab after each use.

54. Some items can be obtained in disposable form such as plastic tweezers.However, these are not as effective as the metal type and are not included as a standard item in occupationalfirst aid kits.

55. Employers need to ensure that first aid kits are restocked as necessary.

First aid kits

Location and quantity

100. The employer needs to determine the appropriate location of first aid kits. Kits need to be clearlyidentifiable and easily accessible, and employees need to be advised of their location.

First aid rooms and medical services58. The provision of a first aid room will depend on the type of workplace and thenumber of employees. Compliance is achieved by providing a first aid room in:• low-risk workplaces with more than 200 employees• higher-risk workplaces with more than 100 employees.

Not Applicable for the distribution centre

Prevention of Falls in General ConstructionUnder the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 (the Regulations), construction work is any workperformed in connection with the construction, alteration, conversion, fitting out, commissioning, renovation,refurbishment, decommissioning or demolition of any building or structure, or any similar activity.

Managing fall hazards Assessing the risk of a fall

Managers and controllers of workplaces10. Managers and controllers of workplaces have a duty to ensure that risks at the workplace are eliminated orreduced so far as is reasonably practicable.This compliance code will assist principal contractors, as the managers and controllers of construction sites, tofulfil this aspect of their duty to ensure health and safety.

Employers11. Employers have a duty to provide and maintain for their employees and contractors a workingenvironment where fall hazards and risks, regardless of height, are eliminated or reduced so far as isreasonably practicable. They also have a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the conduct oftheir undertaking does not expose anyone else to a risk of injury through falling.

Working at heights not exceeding two metres (Level 2 measure)Organisations with large and diverse workplaces or a complex range of occupational health and safety(OHS) hazards need to choose this option. Other organisations with sufficient expertise and resourcesmay find that the risk assessment approach allows them the flexibility to devise a ‘tailor-made’solution for their particular circumstances. However, it is open to any employer to choose thisapproach.

Hazards: workers using tilts, workers performing a task from a stepladder and workersusing ladders

Solution provided in Pg 12

Working at heights exceeding two metres(level 2,3 and 4 measure should be taken)

Identifying fall hazards26. Before work commences, all locations and tasks that may involve the risk of a fall need to be identified.This includes access to the areas where tasks are to be performed. Each task needs to be examined todetermine whether there is a risk of falling. Tasks that need particular attention are those carried out:• on any structure or plant being constructed or installed, demolished or dismantled, inspected, tested,maintained, repaired or cleaned• On a fragile surface (eg cement sheeting roofs, rusty metal roofs, fibreglass sheeting roofs and skylights)• On a potentially unstable surface (eg areas where there is potential for ground collapse including poorlybackfilled or compacted ground, or unstable areas such as on top of stacks of building materials, timber palletsor bricks)• using equipment to work at an elevated level (eg when using scaffolds, elevating work platforms or portableladders)• On a sloping or slippery surface where it is difficult for people to maintain their balance (eg on glazed tiles)• Near an unprotected open edge (eg near perimeters without guardrails or incomplete stairwells)• Near a hole, shaft or pit into which a person could fall (eg trenches, pile holes or service pits)

Elevating work platforms

117. Elevating work platforms are available in a wide variety of types and sizes. They include scissor lifts,cherry pickers, boom lifts and travel towers (see Figures 9 and 10). There are battery powered and internalcombustion engine types.Some are designed for hard flat surfaces only, while others are designed for operation on rough terrain. Unitspowered by internal combustion engines are not suitable for use in buildings or areas with poor naturalventilation unless appropriate artificial ventilation is provided.

118. Elevating work platforms:• need to be used on a solid level surface; the surface area needs to be checked to make sure that there are nopenetrations or obstructions that could cause uncontrolled movement or overturning of the platform• may be used on other surfaces (when designed as ‘rough terrain’ units) in accordance with themanufacturer’s directions; the surface area needs to be checked for unacceptable penetrations or obstructions• need to be clearly marked with the safe working load limit.

119. Operators working in travel towers or boom type elevating work platforms must wear an anchored safetyharness. The harness system used must be able to arrest a fall before the user hits the ground.

120. People operating boom-type elevating work platforms with boom lengths exceeding 11 metres must havean appropriate licence.

121. It is a requirement that the design of an elevating work platform be registered with WorkSafe or withanother state or territory workplace safety authority.

122. Further information on the safe use of elevating work platforms is provided in AS 2550.10 Cranes, hoistsand winches – Safe use – Mobile elevating work platforms.

All good at the Distribution centre, minimum hazards identified.

FoundriesThe purpose of this compliance code is to provide practical guidance on how employers who undertakefoundry work can meet their duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (the OHS Act) andOccupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 (the Regulations).

This code covers foundry work that predominantly involves the casting of molten metal into a mould. It can bedone manually (static casting) or automatically (injection, die or continuous casting). A typical process includespreparing a mould casting, melting and pouring metal into the mould, and removing and finishing the casting.

Not Applicable

Operation Manual for machinesEmployees should always be trained before the use of any equipment. Operation manual should also begiven to employees prior to use of any equipment.

Documents

Carrum Down Distribution Centre Communicating … Down Distribution Centre Communicating Occupational Health & Safety across languages Under section 22(1) (c) of the Occupational Health