Work Health and Safety (WHS) Laws and Authorities - Desklib

This article on Desklib covers various topics related to Work Health and Safety (WHS) such as the nationally consistent framework for WHS laws and authorities, WHS obligations and duty of care of employers and employees, infection control procedures, safe housekeeping practices, hazard identification and reporting, workplace emergencies and more. It also explains the procedure for identifying and reporting injuries, the classifications of dangerous goods, and the different types of safety signs used in the workplace.

U5 (HLTWHS001)
Assessment 1
Question 1 A
Question
What is the nationally consistent framework’s name and web address which guides the States and
Territories Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws and authorities?
Answer
The main object of the act is to provide balanced and nationally consistent framework to secure the
health and safety of workers and workplaces which helps in guiding the States and Territories’ World
Health and Safety (WHS) laws and authorities.
Question 1 B
Question
What is the name and web address of your State or Territory WHS authority?
Answer
Name and web address of the State and Territory WHS authority are – Safework NSW, Worksafe
Victoria are the two main Australia’s WHS authority. They help in taking concern of the activities and
the new health measures which are to be formed and framed within the system.
Website - https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/law-and-regulation/whs-regulators-and-workers-
compensation-authorities-contact-information.
Question 1 C
Question
What are the WHS obligations and duty of care of employers? Please list 5 points.
Answer
WHS obligations and duty of care of employers are listed below –
 Provide a safe working environment.
 Providing and maintaining the safe structures and machineries.
 Taking reasonable care of employees’ health and safety.
 Taking preventive and precautionary measures in ensuring that all aspects of health
and safety are identified at large scale to the employees.
 Providing high standard of safety to employees at the workplaces.
Question 1 D
Question
What are two primary WHS obligations/duty of care of employees? Please list 2 points.
Answer
Primary WHS obligations/duty of care of employees are mentioned as –
 Providing high standard of health and safety at workplace to the employees.
 Ensuring that the employees are not harmed or injured at the workplace due to their

work.
These are the two main primary duty of care of employees’ obligations which helps in knowing that
the safety and care is being provided to them.
Question 1 E
Question
Under the WHS Act, worker’s also have certain rights and responsibilities. What are two (2) rights
and two (2) responsibilities or workers under the Act.
Answer
There are two major rights under WHS Act which are mentioned as –
 The right to say no to the work that is unsafe for the workers.
 The right to workers compensation.
Along with this, there are two major responsibilities under WHS Act which are mentioned as –
 Taking reasonable care of their own safety and health.
Following all the policies and instructions provided by their employers
Question 1 F
Question
Conduct some research on the Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks. What does the
Code describe as a hazardous manual task? What are three (3) injuries that can result from
repetitive manual tasks?
Answer
The code describes as a Hazardous Manual Tasks which describes that the worker is lifting, carrying,
pulling, pushing or otherwise moving – high or sudden force, sustained awkward posture, exposure
to vibration. These hazards stress the body of the worker. Three injuries which can result in
repetitive manual tasks are –
 Bending the head backwards or forwards more than 20 degrees.
 Working with both the hands which are placed above height of the shoulder.
Due to very fast movements there can be major injury while working
Question 1 G
Question
In your own words, outline the necessary steps to lift items safely?
Answer
Necessary steps to lift the items safely are mentioned as –
 Take the item and ensure that both the hands are in proper position to hold the item.
 Carry the item and balance the weight of it with the body.
 Walk slowly with the item in hand so that it does not fall on the foot.
 Place the item at the required position slowly and ensure that proper posture is
maintained by placing the item on the floor or somewhere else.
Question 1 H
Question
In an education and care setting, what are three (3) manual lifting handling hazards that may result

in injury as a result of repetition or incorrect handling?
Answer
Three manual lifting handling hazards that may result injury as a result of incorrect handling are
mentioned as below –
 Back injuries are the major injuries which occur due to lifting and handling the items.
 Fractures and soft tissue injuries are the handling hazards which results into injuries.
 Strains and strains are the common injuries which are being faced by the workers due
to incorrect handling of the items.
Question 1 I
Question
What are four (4) infection control procedures used in FDC, childcare, SAEC or schools?
Answer
Four infection control procedures used in FDC, childcare, schools or SAEC are mentioned as below –
 Immunization and screening of staff in schools should be taken care of.
 Cleaning and disinfection should be properly used in the childcare setting and in
schools.
 Using of gloves and hand washing is the main thing which should be taken care of in
schools and childcare setting.
 Immunization of children should be done so that they are not easily prone to any type
of disease.
Question 1 J
Question
Infection control in the education and care setting is paramount to ensuring the health, safety and
well-being of all staff and children. What does the National Health and Medical Research council
(NHMRC) recommend in relation to the immunisation of children and workers in child care facilities
and schools?
Answer
National Health and Medical Research (NHMRC) recommend in immunization of children and
workers in the childcare facilities and schools that individuals who work with their children should be
vaccinated against mumps, rubella, hepatitis A and pertussis. It is very necessary that the educators
are also vaccinated and immunized with all the doses of vaccination to be provided to them.
Question 1 K
Question
What viruses can be spread through germs that remains on toys, utensils and other surfaces (name
three (3)? What practices should be implemented regularly and consistently to avoid contamination
and the spread of infection?
Answer
Three types of viruses like influenza, fungi and bacteria remain on toys of children, utensils and other
surfaces. There are some of the major practices which should be ensured to avoid any type of

contamination and the spread of infection are – ensuring the utensils, toys and surfaces to be clean,
proper sanitization through sprays should be done, cleaning regularly of all utensils and toys should
be done.
Question 1 L
Question
When you identify a hazard at FDC, childcare, SAEC or school, what procedure is to be followed?
Please briefly write 1 brief point for each step of this procedure.
Answer
If there is any type of hazard which is found in SAEC or school, FDC, childcare then the procedure
which is followed is that there should be proper health and safety measures which should be taken
into consideration, cleanliness should be maintained, strict procedures should be framed for the
children and the childcare setting so that they are aware of the hazards at large scale.
Question 2 A
Question
What are the names and meanings or instructions from the following safety signs?
Safety signs Hand Gloves
2. Biohazard 3. Radioactive
Fire Exit.
4. Warning, Be careful. 5. Danger 6. First
Aid

Safety sign.
Question 2 B
Question
What is the procedure for identifying and reporting injuries in FDC, childcare, SAEC and schools?
Please briefly write 1 brief point for each step of this procedure.
Answer
The procedure for identifying and reporting injuries which is followed in school, FDC and childcare
setting are – date of the accident happened, personal details of the child or person, details of the
setting or place where the child or person is, location, date, and time of the incident is mentioned
and drawn upon for proper information to be collected of the incident, personal details of the
person involved in the incident.
Question 2 C
Question
What safe housekeeping practices are implemented in FDC, childcare, SAEC or schools and why is
this important?
Safe housekeeping practices: Please list 4 points:
Safe housekeeping is important: Please list 2 points:
Answer
Safe housekeeping practices which are implemented in FDC, childcare, SAEC are –
 Cleaning up the spills immediately,
 Looking for fire hazards,
 Replacing the damaged key tools,
 Developing the procedures for sanitization,
 Using Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) for safe housekeeping for children,
schools, FDC and SAEC
And this is important as -
 It helps in ensuring the aspects that health and safety of the children and people

 It is very important in safeguarding the measures through which health and safety of
children can be taken care of.
Question 2 D
Question
List the nine (9) classifications of dangerous goods including their class
There are nine classifications of dangerous goods including their class which are described as follows
–
Class 1 – Explosives
Class 2 – Gases
Class 3 – Flammable Liquids
Class 4 – Flammable Solids
Class 5 – Oxidizing agents and organic peroxides
Class 6 – Toxins and infectious substances.
Class 7 – Radioactive material.
Class 8 – Corrosives.
Class 9 – Miscellaneous dangerous goods.
Question 2 E
Question
Identify and describe each of the following signs which are essential for any workplace.
Answer Biohazard Fire Extinguisher Radioactive Hand Gloves
Question 2 F
Question
Signs in the workplace communicate specific safety messages through colour coding and their
specific shape. Indicate the designated colour and shape for each of the following.
An activity is not permitted
Hazard in the area

Emergency safety information
Hazardous chemicals
Fire safety signs
Answer
Question 3 A
Question
Explain how you can identify hazards in the workplace. When you have identified a hazard, what is
one method you could use to report?
Answer - Hazards can be identified in the workplace by thoroughly investigating the incidents and
reports at the workplace. One method which is used to report the hazard which has been identified
is by creating a hazard map. This will help in providing the measures as to how the hazards can be

reported at the workplace.
Question 3 B
Question
Name at least two hazards that may be present for each of the following areas.
Play equipment –Slides and swings.
Furniture and other indoor objects – Electric wires and cables, heavy items.
Bathroom areas – Water on the floor, equipments.
Kitchens – Heavy utensils, forks, knives etc
Question 3 C
Question
Complete the table below and, in your own words, indicate how each hazard or hazardous task
could cause harm to a person?
Hazard or Hazardous Task How could each cause harm to a person?
Play equipment The slides and swings can be hazardous as they might fall from them
and injure themselves.
Furniture and other indoor
objects
Electric wires and cables, heavy items can cause harm to the person as
they are very dangerous and can cause loss of life also.
Bathroom areas Water on the floor and equipments in the bathroom may be dangerous
and can harm the person as they may fall and injure themselves.
Kitchens Kitchens are risky for a person as there are many utensils, forks and
knives which are used and therefore it can harm a person by its usage.
Question 3 D
Question
When you have identified a hazard, what is one method you could use to report?
Answer:
The methods which can be used to report the identified hazards might involve:
 Communicating with the manager or supervisor regarding hazard
 To complete the incident report form
 Raising the issue at staff meetings.
 A register is kept at the healthcare centre in which all issues and incidents
Question 3 E

Question
What is a hazard report form and why are they used?
Answer
A hazard report are forms for identification of hazards at a workplace which could cause
harm. Now, there are software driven systems for reporting the issues. They are used for
identifying and analysing the accidents, near misses as well as incidents and learn how to
avoid the future safety incidents.
Question 3 F
Question
How would you support the implementation of WHS policies and procedures? Please list 3 points.
Answer
The implementation of World Health Services policies and procedures can be supported
through following:
 Maintaining as up-dating the WHS records constantly.
 Implementation of the processes for risk assessment, risk control and hazard
identification systems.
 Providing the training and of WHS as well continuous monitoring of all training
process.
Question 4 A
Question
What are four (4) possible workplace emergencies that may be encountered in an early childhood
education service?
Answer
The most common workplace emergencies which can be encountered in ECES are as
follows:
 Fire and smoke emergencies
 Natural disasters
 Personal injury
 Lost, unaccounted or missing child or abandoned child.
In the workplace emergencies the parties who might be involved children, visitors, families,
educators and media etc.

Question 4 B
Question
In your own words, describe the procedure for the following emergencies?
Lockdown:
Evacuation including in the case of a fire:
Answer
Lockdown: The procedure of lockdown involves the people to stay in their homes and stay
clear of exterior doors. The room should be barricaded during lockdown and to not let the
unauthorised people in building or home.
Evacuation including in the case of a fire: The first thing should be to activate the alarm and
safety stop all the work. Then building should be left through nearest door or emergency exit.
Then report to designated assembly area and wait for further instructions
Question 5 A
Question
When should an incident report be completed?
What is a notifiable incident?
Who is responsible for reporting a notifiable incident and to whom are they to report?
Answer
The incident report should be completed as soon as the incident occurs. The notifiable
incident refers to the incidents such as when a person experiences a serious illness or injury
like death. The employees’ as well self-employed people and patients are responsible to
reporting a notifiable accidents to the administration and supervisors.
Question 6 A
Question
Immunisations of children are mandatory for children to attend care. What are three (3) possible
illnesses this rule is aimed at protecting children from?
Answer
The rule “Immunisations of children are mandatory for children to attend care” aims to
introduce the immunisation requirements for enrolment in child care services and community
as well. The possible illness which this rule is aimed at protection of children involve
Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B and Diphtheria as well.
Question 7 A
Question
The best protection for workers and children in an early childhood education and care setting from
preventable diseases should include an occupational immunisation program. In your own words,
describe what this includes.
How can a centre manage refusal to be vaccinated for personal or medical reasons?
Answer
The occupational immunisation program is a program which focus on the vaccination policy

and the vaccination records of current staff. It provide the appropriate information regarding
the relevant vaccine- preventable diseases. The policy also provides the management for
vaccine refusal. The programme allow the care setting to analyse if the staff is fully vaccine
or not.

Assessment 2
Question 1 A
Question
What incident is the basis for this project? e.g., hurt back when lifting, dropped equipment on foot,
etc.
Answer
The basis for this project is the incident of drooping an equipment on foot as an employee
during the early childhood education and care.
Question 2 A
Question
What was the first response from the service to this incident?
Answer
The response of the service towards the incident was to preserve the life on injured person. A
CPR was performed to stop bleeding of foot. Then the dangers and potential dangers are
identified and mitigated. Others were called for help and the incident is analysed
Question 3 A
Question
What documentation was completed and to whom was it submitted according to safe work
practices?
Answer
The incident was reported immediately after its identification. The report involves details of
incident through providing description of incident as well an incident report form is filled. It
involved details of who was involved, how incident happened and when did incident
occurred. The report documentation was submitted to risk managers or to the other
administrators in healthcare centre.
Question 4 A
Question
What consultations occurred as a follow-up to this incident?
Answer
After the incident, the immediate medical attention was seek as consultation to follow-up.
The supervisor were contacted and the incident was reported as well as incident report was
filled. After that a debrief with victim and the eyewitness are taken. The work practices
which had any contribution to the incidents were analysed
Question 5 A
Question
Which sections of your state or territory legislation are relevant to this incident?

Answer
As per the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the incident involves various legislation or
sections. It states that it is the responsibility to employee to ensure the safe practices and safe
environment for work at workplace. It provides various responsibilities on employer and
employees to maintain the safety and security at workplace.
Question 6 A
Question
Which sections of your service’s WHS policies and procedures are relevant to this incident?
Answer
The WHS policies outlines how the organizations needs to fulfil this commitment towards
workplace safety and health. In the chosen incident, the WHS policies and procedures which
were involved are risk assessment, communication of policies and procedures to all
employees and ensures the top level management endorses and support on policy
Question 7 A
Question
What could have been improved to decrease the likelihood of this incident occurring?
Answer
In order to reduce the likelihood the incidents many steps could have been improved such as
effective training on equipment handling. The training should be provided to all the staff on
how they can handle and operate on equipment appropriately. A better risk assessment related
to equipment handling should be implemented
Question 8 A
Question
How could the use of safety signs decrease the likelihood of occurrence, if relevant?
Answer
The safety signs can be very effective in decreasing the likelihood of occurrence of incidents
as they can tell the employees what risks and associated and how these risks can be avoided.
Question 9 A
Question
How have the hazard identification procedures change in response to the incident?
Answer
After the incident, every equipment which involved some risks were appropriately labelled
with safety signs and procedures. The supervision was improved as well as the training
sessions were provided all staff.
Question 10 A
Question
How have the workplace emergency procedures changed in response to the incident? E.g. first aid.
Answer

After the incidents, some changes in emergency procedures at workplace were introduced.
These changes involved providing first aid kits in every room, evacuation program as well as
the better methods to contact emergency teams for incidents.
Question 11 A
Question
What contribution did you and the injured person have in development and implementation of
changes?
Answer
The injured person in the case was me and I have made quite a lot contribution in the
development and implementation of changes in workplace. After the incident I had made
complaints regarding how the risks needs to be improved and how much training related to
equipment handling is needed.
Question 12 A
Question
How did stress and/or fatigue levels impact on the occurrence of the incident?
Answer
At the workplace, stress and fatigue levels can impact quite a lot. A stressed mind become
unable to assess and analyse the risks associated. Fatigue effect negatively on the ability of a
person to work effectively.
Question 13 A
Question
How could have improved housekeeping practices reduce the likelihood of the incident?
Answer
Better housekeeping practices could reduce the impact of likelihood of incident as they can
prevent trips, slips and falls as well eliminate the hazard as well.