Workplace Health and Safety

Workplace Health and Safety Student Program
General Component (Continued)

Common Hazards
There are common hazards that exist in many workplaces. It is important to learn about these hazards and how to work safely in these environments.

Manual Handling

Manual handling is not just about lifting heavy objects. It includes any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, hold or restrain a person, animal or thing.

Placing boxes and other items on shelves, painting, gardening, cleaning, writing and typing are some examples of manual handling tasks.

Manual handling injuries include:

strains and sprains;
neck and back injury;
slips, falls and crush incidents;
cuts, bruises and broken bones;
hernia;
strained heart muscles; and
occupational overuse syndrome (OOS), once known as RSI.

People suffering a manual handling injury at work may spend the rest of their lives coping with pain and be unable to do a lot of things other people can do.

As a young worker you are more likely to be injured through manual handling work than an older worker. Your body is still developing and is less able to cope with strain.

You should be informed and trained in:

safe manual handling methods;
specific manual handling hazards;
safe work procedures;
using manual handling aids; and
the right to ask for help.

Most manual handling injuries to young people can be prevented by instruction, training and supervision. Safe work procedures should be prepared by employers, with the help of employees, to care for the special needs of young and inexperienced workers.

Even though you may be young and new to the job, as a young employee you have a responsibility to speak up if you feel your job is too heavy, too difficult, too tiring or puts you at risk of injury.

It is the employer's responsibility to provide you with safe work procedures, and with instruction, training and supervision for manual handling tasks.

Ways to reduce the risk:

lighten loads (break loads into smaller quantities);
reduce bending, twisting, reaching movements; and
prevent muscle strain and fatigue. This includes warming up before working, allocating time for rest breaks, and allowing time to gradually get used to a new job.

Hazardous Substances
Hazardous substances are dangerous. How dangerous depends on the type of substance, what it is made of, the way it enters the body,and the amount of substance that enters the body.

Your workplace may use a lot of different hazardous substances. Some may be things you see every day such as paint, glue, cleaning liquid and powders.

A hazardous substance can be any substance, whether solid, liquid or gas, that may cause harm to you.

Harm to health may occur suddenly, such as dizziness, nausea anditchy eyes or skin; or it may occur gradually over years, suchas dermatitis or cancer. Some people can be more susceptible thanothers.

We use hazardous substances almost every day of our lives. It may be antiseptic for a cut, paint for the walls, or a cleaning product for the bathroom or toilet. They may seem harmless, but even these ordinary things can make you very sick if they are used incorrectly.

Material Safety Data Sheet
A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provides detailed information on a hazardous substance. It gives more details than a label. MSDSs are provided for your employer by the manufacturers and suppliers of hazardous substances. Your employer must keep a register of all hazardous substances at the workplace. Where you are to work with certain hazardous substances the appropiate MSDSs should be available near the work area for consultation when required.

Read the MSDS before you use the product. Always consult with your supervisor before commencing work with any substance you might be exposed to and ensure you get proper training in its use.

If you need more information on what you are using, ask your supervisor or health and safety representative for an MSDS.

It is important that hazardous substances in workplaces are used according to:

the manufacturer or supplier's written instructions, (the MSDS); and
agreed safe work procedures.

First aid treatment for hazardous substances should be part of your training.

Remember:

follow safe work procedures;
always correctly wear the appropriate safety equipment provided by your employer;
do not eat, drink or smoke while working with a hazardous substance;
do not keep food or drink near the substance;
wash your hands and face and other exposed areas with soap and water before going to the toilet or eating and drinking; and
read the MSDS.

It is the responsibility of your employer to provide you with safe work procedures for handling hazardous substances and to provide information, training and supervision.