Occupational Health and Safety legislation is designed so that employers provide a safe work environment, and employees minimise

the risk of accidents and injuries.

The appropriate state authority sets out the responsibilities of employers, employees and others for Occupational Health and Safety. Employers must take steps to avoid industrial accidents and illnesses. Employees have the right to a safe and healthy workplace and compensation payment in the event of injury or sickness resulting from employment. Occupational Health and Safety committees and representatives monitor the procedures of Occupational Health and Safety implemented in the workplace and report unsafe and unhealthy working conditions to the employer.

First Aid

Safety signs and symbols (for example, posters, labels, tags, cones and signs) are displayed to alert staff and members of the public to danger areas. The productivity of staff can be adversely affected by physical hazards such as noise, vibration, air quality and ventilation, the design of office furniture and equipment , and lighting. Employers have an Occupational Health and Safety obligation to ensure that attention is paid to these issues. A safe working environment includes paying attention to the correct maintenance of electrical equipment, power points and leads.

Fire Extinguisher

Eye Protection

Hearing Protection

No Smoking

Electrical Hazard

Watch Your Step

Slippery Floor

The use of chemicals in some workplaces can cause physical problems for employees. Employers can control this by providing effective ventilation, implementing systems for safe handling, storage and disposal, providing protective clothing, and posting warning signs in dangerous areas. The use of synthetic mineral fibres (SMFs) in the workplace may cause lung and skin problems. Employers are advised to eliminate the use of SMFs where possible or provide protective equipment for employees. Employers plan for fire emergencies by maintaining appropriate extinguishers for the types of fire likely to occur in their workplace. In addition, well lit exit signs are put in place, evacuation routes are kept clear and a suitable fire alarm is installed. Staff are drilled in fire evacuation procedures.

Occupational overuse syndrome (OOS) includes the incidence of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). This is a problem caused by the overuse of a small group of muscles and tendons when carrying out repetitive tasks. Office workers may encounter RSI. Correct posture and the taking of rest and exercise breaks will be useful in the control of Occupational Overuse Syndrome, including RSI. The national standard and code of practice set out a preventative approach to injuries caused by incorrect manual handling of heavy objects and the poor layout of workstations and workplaces. Psychological hazards in the workplace include: substance abuse-affecting attendance, productivity, safety and work performance stress-affecting the balance between you and your work environment.

State legislation requires that first aid kits be available in workplaces. The size and content of each kit is determined by the type of business activity and the number of staff at the particular location. Training courses in first aid are available from organisations such as St Johns Ambulance Association , Red Cross Society and the National Safety Council. Officers must be re-certified every three years. An allowance is paid to staff who perform first aid duties. A register of injuries and treatment given for first aid has to be kept and retained for at least five years. The register should be available for the information of Work cover inspectors as required. The procedures for reporting workplace accident/ incidents are set out in the relevant state legislation. Both employers and employees are required to follow the guidelines given.

States and territories have their own workers compensation legislation and the appropriate references should be consulted. Basically, the compensation provides benefits to workers or the dependants of workers who suffer injury or disease associated with their employment. The procedures for reporting, claiming and the documentation required must be followed carefully. Many organisations have a staff member who has part-time responsibility for Occupational Health and Safety supervision. Providers of Occupational Health and Safety courses are well advertised, including a listing in the Yellow Pages. Employers, employees, students and private individuals can contribute to the maintenance of safety in the workplace and other areas by reporting situations which could lead to accidents and injuries occurring.

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Acts of the Commonwealth all employers are required to provide and maintain so far as is practicable for employees a working environment that is safe without risks of health. Employers are also obliged to provide such information, instruction, training and supervision to employees to perform their work in a manner that is safe and without risks of health.

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Under these OHS Acts the employer has a duty of care to provide a safe and healthy work environment. The responsibilities that an employer must undertake to fulfil the duty of care are:
Top Management Senior Management Management

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Takes overall responsibility. Works out the health Works out how to and safety activities check if the for your workplace. responsibilities are being carried out. Writes the responsibilities Allocates the and accountabilities into a responsibility and health and safety procedures resources for each manual so that it is clear activity for each what the company promises position or person in to do to prevent injury and the workplace. disease and comply with legislation.

A hazard is defined as anything that could cause harm.

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Physical Hazards The use of the computer is one of the most dangerous physical hazards in the workplace. Sitting at the computer, using the keyboard and looking at the screen for long periods of time, will often result in back pain, stiff neck and shoulders, sore hands and wrists and tired legs. To avoid injury ergonomics have been used.

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Ergonomics links the use of equipment, particularly computers, the design of furniture, and the work environment with human performance and well being. Therefore if the design of furniture and the overall work environment is bad then the human performance and well being drops.
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Guidelines for using the keyboard are: Make sure your wrists are straight when typing. Position your hands over the keyboard with the elbow at a 90-degree right angle. Do not rest your palms on the hard desk.

Correct body posture can lessen your risk of back injury and also help you work more comfortably and effectively. Courtesy of clipart To help with posture try to minimise the following actions: Sitting in awkward or twisted postures or maintaining the same posture for too long. Reaching frequently, or using too much muscular effort for relatively easy tasks. Use a document holder to place documents in such a position so that you are not twisting your neck to read them. Place your monitor at eye level, minimising bending or twisting your neck while typing.
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Eye strain can be a problem when you are working close to a computer screen. To help with eye strain you should take small rests. Some other suggestions include: Yawn and blink to keep your eyes lubricated Changing focus and covering your eyes with your hands can help relieve eyestrain. Deep breathing can help relieve tension in your muscles.

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Noise Noise levels are measured in terms of decibels (dB). Recommendations for noise levels in an office are between 50-70 dB. If the noise levels are prolonged or higher than these levels then it can cause: decreased efficiency of your work increased stress leading to headaches and other stress symptoms misinterpretation of verbal communication permanent hearing loss Lighting Lighting at work can affect health and safety by: making it difficult to see and recognise hazards in the workplace causing and contributing to eyestrain causing people at work to adopt stressful postures to see properly

The following substances, if not used with caution, can Courtesy of clipart have an adverse effect on your health and well-being. Correction fluids: Can cause headaches, eye irritation, inflammation of the skin and other ailments. Thinners for use with correction fluids: Contain powerful solvents which can depress the central nervous system, cause fatigue, nausea and lack of muscular co-ordination. Cleaning fluids or detergents for use on office equipment: Serious effects on the eyes and skin may result from careless use. Cigarette smoke: When fumes are inhaled from other people smoking cigarettes. This has the same side effect as direct smoking. Air-conditioning: Badly maintained air conditions can spread disease.
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How people behave at work can sometimes create hazardous situations. Some examples of such hazardous situation can be: behaving in an irresponsible manner, such as playing practical jokes leaving bags and other objects in walkways running and rushing about quickly, which can cause an accident using chemicals and solvents in a careless or dangerous manner. Stress Stress is one of the major contributions to illness in an office environment. Some factors that can contribute to stress are: unrealistic work requirements poor time management skills changing situations in the workplace irregular working hours

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To prevent any of the previously mentioned things from happening you should:

Provide a safe and healthy workplace Recognise hazards in the workplace Assess the risks of the hazards in your workplace Control the hazards in your workplace

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