TOOL BOX TALKS

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TOOL BOX TALKS

• OHS Risk Management

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Definitions

• Hazard anything with the potential to cause
  harm to a person or damage to property
• Risk the actual harm which can result
• Think of a shark in a pool shark is the hazard,
  risk relates to level of hunger, presence of
  people, swimming ability etc.

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How to identify hazards

• Informally through observations or complaints
• Formally through inspection checklists for your
  own workplace, clients home, community venues,
  host employer workplaces, client assessments,
  intake information, incident reports, MSDS or
  equipment audits, equipment instruction manuals,
  safety audits

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Organisations Hazard Identification Strategies

• Discuss what you use, when it is used, who uses
  it and the consultation undertaken

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How to assess the level of risk

• Refer to available information to determine the
  likelihood of harm occurring and the consequences
  of the harm i.e. severity of injury
• Consider contributing factors such as work
  environment, capacity and experience of worker,
  training provided, knowledge of client
  mobility/behaviour
• Consider workplace knowledge e.g. past history,
  work organisation, level of exposure etc
• Rate the risk according to the following matrix

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Risk Assessment Exercise

• Give some practical examples depending on
  services provided e.g.
• providing home support and large dog present
• Community access with client who is unsteady on
  feet
• Client in a disability enterprise who tends to
  swear at other clients upsetting them

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HAZPAK Risk Assessment Model
2 How likely is it to be that bad?
VERY LIKELY Could happen any time
1 How severely could it hurt someone, or how ill
could it make someone?
VERY UNLIKELY Could happen, but probably never
will
LIKELY Could happen sometime
__ UNLIKELY Could happen, but very unlikely
1
1
2
Kill or cause permanent disability or ill health
3
!
1
Long term illness or serious injury
2
3
4
!!
Medical attention or several days off work
2
3
4
5
!!!
First aid needed
3
4
5
6
The numbers show you how important it is to do
something 1 Top priority do something
immediately 6 Low priority do something when
possible
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Risk Controls

• Eliminate hazard if possible e.g. cease activity
  completely
• Minimise risk from hazard by implementing
  suitable controls.
• Develop in accordance with Hierarchy of Controls
  using one or more to achieve highest level of
  control possible.

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HIERARCHY OF CONTROLSIn relation to discomfort
whilst using oven cleaner
1. Eliminate the hazard e.g. Cease performing cleaning task
If this is not practicable ?
2. Substitute the hazard with something of lesser risk e.g. replace cleaning product with a low toxic product
If this is not practicable ?
3. Use engineering controls e.g. redesign, ventilation, isolation e.g Mechanise the process through a pump system,
If this is not practicable ?
4. Use administrative controls e.g. write a safe work procedure covering cleaning tasks and provide training
If this is not practicable ?
5. Use Personal Protective Equipment e.g. Issue gloves, mask and overalls
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Risk Control Exercise

• Using previous examples developed develop some
  risk controls for the situations e.g.
• Dog required to be confined to back yard during
  service (not including hanging out washing)
• Utilise wheelchair when taking client out
• Identify cause of swearing and address, separate
  client from others, reward client for not
  swearing by giving responsible task and include
  in behaviour support plan