Work Health and Safety Legislation Review

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Questions and Answers

When is consultation required regarding the adequacy of facilities for worker welfare?

When monitoring the health of workers

When conducting employee training

When identifying hazards and assessing risks

When making decisions about the adequacy of facilities for the welfare of workers (correct)

What is the first step a duty holder must take in managing risks to health and safety?

Identify reasonably foreseeable hazards (correct)

Monitor health and safety conditions

Minimise risks where elimination is not possible

Implement engineering controls

If elimination of risks is not reasonably practicable, what must a duty holder do next?

Request worker feedback on safety

Increase workforce training

Minimise those risks so far as is reasonably practicable (correct)

Conduct regular hazard assessments

Which of the following is NOT a method for minimising risks if elimination is impracticable?

Increasing the exposure time to the hazard Signup and view all the answers

Which is a requirement for consultation under WHS Act when proposing changes that may impact health and safety?

Consulting workers who may be affected by the change Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'duty holder' refer to in the context of managing health and safety risks?

The person conducting the business or undertaking Signup and view all the answers

What activity must be avoided to comply with WHS regulations regarding the management of risks?

Ignoring identified hazards Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered an engineering control in the context of risk management?

Using physical barriers to isolate a hazard Signup and view all the answers

What does a notifiable incident include?

A serious injury or illness as prescribed by regulations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor that must be considered when conducting a business or undertaking?

The personal preferences of the workers Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for preserving an incident site after a notifiable incident occurs?

Both B and C Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a Principal Mining Hazard?

Ground or strata failure Signup and view all the answers

When a notifiable incident occurs, what must be done with the incident site?

It should remain undisturbed until an inspector arrives Signup and view all the answers

What type of incidents fall under the definition of a dangerous incident?

Situations that could potentially harm people or property Signup and view all the answers

Which item is NOT included in the list of hazards related to mining operations?

Psychological stress Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'reasonably practicable' refer to in the context of health and safety duties?

That which can be done considering several relevant factors. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a duty of workers according to the WHS Act?

Ensure the safety of other persons at all times. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of a person conducting a business or undertaking?

Determining the completion times for tasks Signup and view all the answers

What is the first requirement of consultation under Division 2 of Part 5?

Relevant information about the matter is shared with workers. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT considered when determining what is 'reasonably practicable'?

The historical data on similar risks. Signup and view all the answers

What should workers do if they are given reasonable instructions for health and safety?

Comply to the extent they are reasonably able. Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for bringing safety concerns to the attention of a senior manager?

The relevant manager Signup and view all the answers

What must happen if workers are represented by a health and safety representative during consultation?

Consultation must involve that health and safety representative. Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum frequency for inspections in each production area at a coal mine?

Once every shift Signup and view all the answers

Which is an example of a duty that a worker has regarding the health and safety of others?

Take reasonable care that their acts do not adversely affect others. Signup and view all the answers

Under the WHS Act, what must be considered along with the likelihood of a risk?

The cost of eliminating or minimizing the risk. Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for inspecting the production area in a coal mine that is not underground?

A competent person Signup and view all the answers

Under what conditions can inspections be required more frequently than specified?

Dependent on the risks present at the mine Signup and view all the answers

What must be ensured before any person enters a production area after inspections have been interrupted?

The production area must be inspected according to regulations Signup and view all the answers

Which individual or group is primarily responsible for the recording of inspection results?

The relevant manager Signup and view all the answers

What must be done regarding reports of inspections and other information provided?

They require regular review by relevant managers Signup and view all the answers

What role does a senior manager play in relation to the relevant manager in safety concerns?

They need to be informed about the actions taken by the relevant manager Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes a change at the workplace according to WHS Regs cl38?

Changes to the workplace and any work procedures Signup and view all the answers

Under what condition can a health and safety representative request a review of a control measure?

If the health of any worker is potentially affected Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered when providing information, training, and instruction to a worker?

The nature of the work, associated risks, and control measures Signup and view all the answers

What is required regarding first aid provision at a workplace?

First aid equipment and trained personnel must be readily available to all workers Signup and view all the answers

According to WHS Regs cl39, how should information and instructions be delivered?

In a way that is readily understandable to all workers Signup and view all the answers

What is the responsibility of a person conducting a business regarding the number of trained first aiders?

An adequate number of workers must be trained or access to trained individuals must be provided Signup and view all the answers

What does subclause (2) (b) refer to regarding changes at the workplace?

Alterations in a system of work or procedures Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of WHS Regs cl42 regarding first aid?

Ensuring first aid equipment is available and that workers know how to use it Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes a dangerous event involving machinery under the WHS regulations?

The burial of machinery that cannot be recovered under its own power Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a high potential incident during Open Cut Operations?

Routine maintenance of machinery without injuries Signup and view all the answers

What type of incident must result in at least 7 days of work incapacity to meet the definition in WHS regulations?

An injury supported by a medical certificate Signup and view all the answers

Which situation qualifies as a dangerous incident related to a misfire under the WHS regulations?

A misfire at a non-coal mine that poses immediate danger Signup and view all the answers

In Open Cut Operations, which of the following incidents would result in emergency evacuations?

An unplanned event causing immediate harm to personnel Signup and view all the answers

What type of exposure is classified as a dangerous incident under WHS regulations?

Exposure to hazardous atmospheric concentrations of crystalline silica Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of uncontrolled fires on operational mobile plants?

Significant risk to both machinery and personnel Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is accurate regarding exposure to diesel particulate matter?

An 8-hour exposure exceeding specified concentrations is dangerous Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Legislation Review

Legislation reviewed is crucial to meet statutory requirements
Key pieces of legislation include: Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017, Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013, Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Regulation 2022, Explosives Act 2003, and Explosives Regulation 2013.

Maintenance of Competency WHS Act and Regs

A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the following: provision and maintenance of a work environment without risks; provision and maintenance of safe plant and structures; provision and maintenance of safe systems of work; the safe use, handling, and storage of plant, structures, and substances; provision of adequate facilities for worker welfare; provision of information, training, instruction, or supervision to protect persons from risks; and monitoring the health of workers and workplace conditions to prevent illness or injury.

Meaning of "Reasonably Practicable"

Reasonably practicable means what is or was reasonably able to be done in relation to ensuring health and safety, taking into account the following: likelihood of the hazard or risk occurring; degree of harm that might result; the person's knowledge or what they should reasonably know about the hazard or risk and ways to eliminate or minimise the risk; the availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or minimise the risk; and the cost associated with eliminating or minimising the risk, considering if it is disproportionate to the risk.

Duties of Workers

Workers must take reasonable care for their own health and safety.
Workers must take reasonable care that their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of others.
Workers must comply with any reasonable instructions given by the person conducting the business or undertaking to allow them to comply with the WHS Act.
Workers must cooperate with any reasonable policy or procedure relating to health or safety at the workplace.

Consultation Under Division 2 of Part 5

Relevant information about the matter is shared with workers
Workers are given a reasonable opportunity to express their views, raise issues relating to the matter, and contribute to decision-making
The views of workers are taken into account by the person conducting the business or undertaking
Workers consulted are advised of the outcome of the consultation in a timely manner
If workers are represented by a health and safety representative, consultation involves that representative

When Is Consultation Required at the Mine Site?

Consultation is required when identifying hazards and assessing risks; making decisions about ways to eliminate or minimise those risks; making decisions about facilities for worker welfare; proposing changes affecting worker health or safety; making decisions about procedures relating to consulting with workers, resolving health and safety issues; monitoring worker health or workplace conditions; providing information and training; and when carrying out other activities required by regulations.

Requirements to Identify Hazards

Duty holders must identify reasonably foreseeable hazards that could give rise to risks to health and safety.

Requirements to Manage Risks to Health and Safety

Duty holders must eliminate risks to health and safety and if not reasonably eliminate them, minimise them so far as is reasonably practicable.

Minimising Risks (Hierarchy of Control Measures)

Duty holders must minimise risks by substitution (using a lesser risk); isolation of hazard; implementing engineering controls.
If a risk remains, the duty holder must minimise the remaining risk by implementing administrative controls.
If a risk maintains, the duty holder must implement administrative controls. If a risk persists the duty holder must ensure the provision and use of suitable personal protective equipment.

Maintaining Control Measures

Duty holders must ensure that control measures are fit for purpose and suitable for the nature and duration of the work, and that they are installed, set up and used correctly.

Reviewing Control Measures

Duty holders must review and as necessary revise control measures to maintain a work environment without risks to health or safety
Review is required if the control measure does not sufficiently control risk; if changes at the workplace are likely to result in a new risk; if a new risk is identified; if consultation results indicate a need for review; if a health and safety representative requests review
A change at the workplace includes change to the workplace environment, or to a work process or procedure.

Information, Training, and Instruction

Provide suitable and adequate information, training, and instruction.
Consider the nature of the work and associated risks.
Ensure control measures are implemented appropriately and that the information, training, and instruction are readily understandable.

First Aid

Provide first aid equipment for the workplace and ensure each worker has access.
Ensure access to facilities for administering first aid.
Provide an adequate number of workers trained to administer first aid.

Notifiable Incidents

Notifiable incidents include death; serious injury or illness of a person prescribed by regulations; and dangerous incidents prescribed by regulations.
Duty holders must ensure that a notifiable incident site is not disturbed until an inspector arrives or a government official directs it.

Principal Mining Hazard

A principal hazard is any activity, process, procedure, plant, structure, substance, situation or other circumstance relating to mining operations that reasonably can result in multiple deaths in a single incident, or a series of incidents.

Managing Risks to Health and Safety

A person conducting a business undertaking must manage risks to health and safety.
Risk assessment must be conducted by a competent person, considering the nature, likelihood and severity of potential health and safety consequences of hazards

Control Plans (Open Cut Operations)

Key control plans for open cut operations include: Health Control Plan, Mechanical Engineering Control Plan, Electrical Engineering Control Plan, Explosives Control Plan, and Emergency Plan.

Communication Between Shifts

Supervisors of outgoing shifts must provide a written report to incoming supervisors, including details about workings, plant status, and health and safety matters.
Outgoing supervisors must provide written acknowledgment verifying the accuracy of the report and sign or electronically sign the acknowledgment.
Incoming supervisors must communicate the content of the report to workers.
Incoming supervisors must provide written acknowledgment indicating the report content has been communicated to workers and sign/electronically sign it.

Inspections (Open Cut Operations)

Mine operators must develop an inspection plan and conduct inspections in accordance with the plan.
Mine sites are divided into inspection areas.
Production areas are identified for each inspection area.
Inspect all safely accessable parts of each area at least once a shift.
Inspections may be required more frequently than specified if risks are present.
Designated persons (mining supervisor or competent person) must undertake inspections.

Reporting Requirements

Operators must take reasonable steps to notify the regulator of any incident not resulting in a notifiable event after becoming aware of an incident, especially if the incident results in illness or injury requiring medical treatment.
Provide written notification, use the approved form, for incident-related consequences and details as specified in Schedule 8.

High Potential Incidents

High potential incidents include events that are dangerous, burial of machinery, misfires, major evacuation, injuries (7 days), illnesses(7+ days of continuous unfitness), airborne dust/diesel particulates, carbon dioxide, silica, equipment failure, uncontrolled fire.

Dangerous Incidents

Dangerous incidents result in serious risk to health and safety emanating from immediate/imminent exposure.
Examples: uncontrolled escapes; spills/leakages; explosions/fires; gas/steam releases; falls from significant heights, plant failures, collapse of structures, inrushes of water/mud/gas, equipment malfunctions, collisions.
List of dangerous incidents that could affect Open Cut Operations
Uncontrolled escapes, spillage or leakage of substances; uncontrolled implosions, explosions or fires; uncontrolled escape of gas or steam; release from a height (plant, substances, things); collapse/malfunction/damage of authorised plant; structure collapse; inrush; loss of control of machinery; collisions; and damage to plant/structures

Explosive Handling Rules

Natural persons need a security clearance to handle explosives (except under supervision or if acting under authorization by a licence holder).
Reporting requirement is needed if a licence holder has explosives or explosive precursors that are lost, stolen, or are the subject of attempted theft or suspicious incidents.
A licence holder must immediately notify each relevant authority if any explosive or explosive precursor in their possession, custody, or control is lost, stolen, or is the subject of an attempted theft or suspicious incident. A licence holder must give the regulatory authority notice of any serious incident.

Explosive Ignition Source Rules

Taking substances or articles into/within 10 meters of an explosive area is prohibited.
Smoke or activities generating ignition sources within 10 meters of explosives areas is prohibited.

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Description

This quiz covers essential legislation related to Work Health and Safety, including key acts and regulations that ensure statutory compliance. It examines the responsibilities of businesses in maintaining a safe work environment and the competencies required under these laws.