Workplace Health and Safety Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is considered an internal source of health and safety information?

Government enforcing authority publications

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Accident and ill-health records (correct)

Which of the following best defines a hazard in the workplace?

The financial cost of an accident

The absence of safety protocols

The likelihood of an accident occurring

Something that could potentially cause harm (correct)

What is a primary responsibility of an employer in managing health and safety?

Setting up employee social committees

Conducting leisure activities for employees

Reducing employee work hours

Providing a safe working environment (correct)

Which of the following is an external source of health and safety information?

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) publications Signup and view all the answers

Identifying costs following a workplace accident includes all but which of the following?

Mandatory employee training costs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a welfare facility that employers must provide?

Drinking water Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential workplace hazard related to mental health?

High workload stress Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a duty of care employers owe to their employees?

Offering free vacation trips Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following options describes an employee’s responsibility in a workplace?

To take reasonable care of their own health and safety Signup and view all the answers

What are direct and indirect costs associated with workplace accidents?

Cost of legal fees and lost time Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following responsibilities falls under the employer's provision of welfare facilities?

Providing rest areas for employees Signup and view all the answers

What is a key reason for managing health and safety in the workplace?

To comply with legal requirements Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of work-related ill-health?

Back pain from improper posture Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a welfare facility in the workplace?

First aid arrangements Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'hazard' refer to in the context of workplace health and safety?

Anything that has the potential to cause harm Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a 'near miss'?

An incident without injury or property damage but with potential serious consequences Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions falls under environmental protection at the workplace?

Waste and effluent disposal management Signup and view all the answers

What defines an accident in the workplace?

An unplanned event causing injury or damage Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of a 'dangerous occurrence'?

It must be reported to the relevant authority by law Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT fall under basic welfare facilities?

Professional development courses Signup and view all the answers

How is 'risk' defined in the context of workplace safety?

The likelihood of a hazard causing harm in combination with severity Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Work-related ill-health is caused or triggered by workplace activities
Example: Dermatitis from exposure to oils and greases

Managing Health and Safety

Three main reasons for organizations to manage health and safety:
- Moral: It is morally wrong for people to be killed, injured, or sick from work.
- Social (Legal): Organizations are required to follow laws that govern health and safety.
- Financial: Accidents and ill-health are costly, both directly and indirectly.

Duty of Care

Employers have a duty of care to their employees, divided into five specific areas:
- Provide a safe place of work, including access and egress.
- Provide safe plant and equipment.
- Provide a safe system of work.
- Provide safe and competent fellow employees.
- Provide adequate levels of information, training, instruction and supervision.

Employer Responsibilities

The International Labour Organization (ILO) outlines the primary responsibility of the employer for health and safety at work:
- Provide and maintain safe plant and equipment.
- Provide a safe system of work.
- Provide safe and competent fellow employees.
- Provide adequate levels of information, training, instruction, and supervision.
- Provide welfare facilities (drinking water, sanitation, etc.).
- Provide adequate supervision of work practices.
- Provide, without cost to workers, adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- To remove any extreme physical and mental fatigue

Employee Responsibilities

Employees have the responsibility to:
- Take reasonable care of their own health and safety.
- Take reasonable care of the health and safety of those who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.

Welfare

Provisions of basic facilities to maintain the health and well-being of individuals at the workplace.
Responsibility of organizations to provide facilities such as:
- Washing and sanitation arrangements.
- Provision of drinking water.
- Heating, lighting, and accommodation for clothing.
- Seating (when needed).
- Eating and rest rooms.
- First aid arrangements.

Environmental Protection

Activities in the workplace that affect the environment.
Includes waste and effluent disposal and atmospheric pollution.

Hazard

Anything that can potentially cause harm, ill-health, injury, damage to property, products, or the environment.
Examples: Electricity, chemicals.

Risk

The likelihood of a hazard causing harm, combined with the severity of the potential injury, damage, or loss.

Incident

An event that gave rise to an accident or could have led to an accident.
Includes accidents and near misses.

Accident

An unplanned, unwanted event that leads to injury, damage, or loss of property, plant, materials, or the environment.

Near Miss

An incident where there was no injury or property damage, but there was potential for serious consequences.
Example: A worker drops a spanner from a scaffold, narrowly missing a pedestrian.

Dangerous Occurrence

A specified event that must be reported to the relevant authority under law.
Examples: Major gas leaks, equipment coming into contact with overhead power lines, collapse of a scaffold.

Sources of Health and Safety Information

Internal Sources:
- Health and safety policy.
- Accident and ill-health records and investigation reports.
- Absenteeism records.
- Inspection and audit reports.
- Maintenance records, risk assessments, and training records.
- Safety committees meeting minutes.
- Equipment testing, inspection, and examination reports.
- Health and safety advisors/representatives.
External Sources:
- National health and safety legislation.
- Government enforcing authority, publications such as codes of practice, guidance notes.
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ILO conventions, recommendations.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or NEBOSH.
- Material safety data sheet (MSDS) from manufacturers.
- Manufacturers’ operating instructions.
- Trade associations/unions.
- Health and safety magazines and journals.

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Description

This quiz covers essential aspects of work-related ill-health, employer responsibilities, and the importance of managing health and safety in the workplace. Understand the moral, social, and financial reasons organizations must prioritize health and safety, and the specific duties employers have towards their employees.