HLTWHS003: Maintain Work Health and Safety Case Study 2022

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HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
Case Study v1.0 (2016/11/02)
HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and
safety
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Assessment
Case study
Read through the following case studies. Reflect on your learning and your
own research within this unit.
Prepare a response that responds to each of the issues presented. Your
responses must reflect your knowledge, skills, and application for this unit.Case study 1
A young worker receives an electric shock as he cleans behind an electric
kettle in the lunchroom at work. He will recover, but an ambulance still had to
take him to hospital.
An investigation into the incident reveals that the underside of the cord, which
was connected to the kettle, had worn away, thereby exposing a 12mm length
of live conductor cord. The worker received the shock after touching the worn
cord.
During the investigation, another cord attached to a toaster was found to be
worn.
1. Identify the hazards in this scenario.
The hazard mentioned in the above case study is physical hazards which are
being faced by the young worker as he received electric shocks at the
workplace. Electricity has the ability to hurt and kill seriously. There are
electrical risks in touch with exposed live components, faults that may trigger
fire or explosions where the source of ignition is an electrical fault. There is a
need to be alert near electrical equipment and the risks related to it. Electrical
shocks caused by defective electrical equipment may also result in associated
injuries, including ladder falls, scaffolding or other raised jobs platforms. Other
injuries or diseases may include muscle spasms, vomiting and collapse.
The suggestions for such type of hazards are:-
 Ensuring appropriate electricians for electrical works.
 Switching off electricity when hazardous equipment’s are not in use
 Testing the heavy equipment’s on time to time
 Where possible using of battery tools instead of main power tools
 Replacing of damaged and unsafe cords
 Not overloading energy sockets using residual present devices with
mobile machinery as per WHS regulations.
 Use of non-double adaptors power boards which meets electrical safety
standards.

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HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
Case Study v1.0 (2016/11/02)
2. List three factors that may have contributed to this incident.
The factors that contributed to the incident are:-
 Power tools – They are used in numerous industries and current many
amount of hazards due to harsh moving parts, atmospheres or noise.
Numerous machines require moving components, sharp edges, warm
surfaces and other dangers that can crush injury, cut, shear, stab or
otherwise raid or wound workers when used harmfully.
 Confined spaces- Confined space as having restricted access and exit
openings and negative natural ventilation not designed for ongoing
tenure of the worker. Such spaces may contain storage tanks, boat
compartments, sewers and pipelines. Confined spaces may stance a
danger not only to employees, but also to individuals trying to release
them.
• Heat stress - Workers in washings, bakeries, cafeteria kitchens, steel
foundries, glass shops, block and ceramic factories, electrical
functions, smelters and out-of-doors employees such as building
employees, firemen, agriculturalists and mineworkers are more
susceptible to severe heat disclosure.
• The impact of these factors include more irritability, dryness, heat
stroke, enduring heat overtiredness, cramps, rashes , perspiring palms
, faintness and injuries. The enlarged danger of other mishaps shall
lead to attention loss, sleep disturbances, diseases and susceptibility
to minor wounds.
3. List two control measures that may have prevented this incident.
 Replacement of worn out machinery- The replacement of old equipment
and machinery can be believed of which generates unpleasantness, i.e.
creating hazardous circumstances for employees and leading to
accidents, making the atmosphere noisy and smoky etc.
 Cleaning of machinery after switching it off – The power off button has
to be pushed before cleaning or going beside the heavy and hazardous
machinery. The starting of machine has to be checked well in before so
the risks are acknowledged. It has to be safeguarded like including
guards, interlocks and two-hand controls. The machine for the job shall
not be kept where visitors and customers are exposed.