Occupational Health and Safety Management: Key Elements

This assignment solution provides a detailed analysis of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) principles and practices. It covers a wide range of topics, including common workplace risks (electricity, asbestos, fire, etc.) and the requirements of OHS management systems. The solution outlines obligations for both employers and employees, advisory standards, and key elements of best practices in OHS planning. It further explores elements within OHS management systems (safety plans, policies, training), the roles and responsibilities of Health and Safety Officers, and legislative requirements for OHS audits. The assignment also discusses documentation required for risk determination, the roles of OHS officers and medical representatives in inspection and analysis, and key considerations for workplace safety inspections. It covers the contents of inspection reports, consultation regarding OHS compliance, control measures, examples of OHS communication strategies, and participation arrangements in OHS management. Additionally, the solution touches upon OHS education programs, edge protection requirements on building sites, and the duty of care in the context of OHS. The assignment aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of OHS principles and practical applications in various workplace settings.

Occupational Health and Safety
Q.1. Depending on the workplace or environment where the operation is carried out, there are a
number of health and safety risks take place. Some of the common risks are-
 Risk with electricity- skin burn, shocks, disability
 Asbestos- Lungs failure on inhaling, mesothelioma (a type of cancer)
 Fire- skin burn, disability of person
 Gas- Suffocation, air borne diseases, eye irritation etc.
 Noise- Permanent hearing loss, neurological disorder etc.
 Hazardous substances- Cancer, dermatitis and asthma
 Bullying- Depression, anxiety, loneliness etc.
 Working in confined space- breathe out, sensory damage, skin diseases etc.
Q.2. Occupational Health and Safety Management is essentially put into practice in organizations
which will lead the organization to be a safe and healthy workplace. Workplace Health and
Safety (WHS) Act.2011 acts as a regulatory framework for this management system. Here are
some key areas-
 Incident notification
 Consultation with workers.
 Issue resolutions
 Inspector powers and functions
 Offences and Penalties
This Act covers workers or employees in a wider spectrum which includes- employees,
contractors, subcontractors, outworkers, apprentices and trainees, work experience students,
volunteers and employers who perform work. Now a days, this Act is covering protection for
general public. A person conducting business must get certificate of OHS under this act.
Q.3. Obligations for Health and Safety requirements at workplace-
If I am an employer then-
 Examine workplace conditions to make sure as per OSHA standard.

 Making it sure that workers are using safety tools and equipment while dealing with
hazardous things.
 Employees and workers are given safety training program.
 Provision is made for medical examination and emergency situation.
 Inspection and recording of injuries and accidents are reported.
If I am an employee/worker-
 Take care of own health and safety.
 Take reasonable care for health and safety of others who may be affected by their acts or
negligence.
 Cooperate with anything that come under OHS requirement with employer.
 Don’t misuse or interfere provided under OHS.
Q.4. Advisory standards requirements-
Asbestos advisory standard-
 Create asbestos register to record asbestos presence at workplace.
 Provide access to asbestos register to those who engaged to remove asbestos.
 Inform contractor before entering workplace.
 Control the risk.
Concrete Pumping Supplement-
 Reasonable practice has applied at workplace to follow OHS under its duty to exercise due
diligence.
 Consultation with workers
 Consulting, coordinating and cooperating activities with other duty holders.
 Training and supervision at work.
 Risk management
Falling object advisory standard-
 Adequate protection is provided to minimise risk of falling.
 Use of isolation \at workplace.
 Training and subversion of workers.

 Use of Personal Protective Equipment.
Q.5. Key elements in best practices of OHS Planning-
 Establishment of protocols and distributed up-to date documents for health and safety
information across organization.
 Safety inspection check-list
 Risk assessment is done periodically.
 Emergency response services
 Training program for Health and Safety measures to all workers.
 Internal safety audit
 Compliance with OHS guidelines
 Measurable performance matrix for health and safety
 Regular meeting and communication strategy where various risks and hazardous situation is
addressed.
Q.6. Key elements within OHS Management System-
 Safety plan- It is a strategic action plan where management analyses current and future risk
and hazards in relation to health and safety that can be managed and controlled over next
calendar period.
 Policies, procedures and processes- It is the code of conduct for OHS in organization. It
includes, safety behaviour, expectations, incident reporting and record keeping.
 Training and induction- Everyone goes through this process whether he/she is exposed to
low or high risk. Intensity of training differs according to level of risk.
 Monitoring, supervision and reporting- overviewing the OHS program effectiveness,
watching personnel whether they are following OHS guidelines or not and finally reporting
is done to make necessary changes in behaviour or people or in OHS program.
Q.7. Roles and responsibility of Health and Safety Officer-
 Inspection of site to ensure workers are working in a hazard free environment.
 Enhancement of safety behaviour by representing project safety council.
 Verify accidents and injuries log report and submit to government agencies.
 Verify all tools and equipment are safe to use.

 Promote safe practice at job site.
 Trains and carries drill in case of emergency situation like fire breakout.
 Conduct job hazard analysis.
Q.8. Legislative requirements for OHS audit
 Auditor’s requirement- He is required to have WHS management system training,
qualification and relevant work experience.
 Audit program- This program is normally prepared with a 3 year cycle outlines according
to WHS verification audit schedule.
 Audit methodology- It should involve the date and scope of audit, meeting with
management and key personnel, audit conducted interviews and records, closer meeting
and detailing drafting of report.
 Reporting of results- The report will go to WHS committee who will give confirmation of
OHS standard.
 Corrective action plan- If any deficiency is there in audit, here it will be rectified.
 Review and evaluation- Every period, the OHS guidelines would be complied with
organizational guidelines.
Q.9. Types of documentation required in determining potential risk-
 Observation by H&S Officer
 Material Safety Data Sheet.
 Hazard and risk survey report
 Record of accidents and injuries
 Legislative requirements under OHS standard
 System failure reporting
 Health report of workers.
 Training report on OHS.
 Policies, procedures and guidelines for OHS.
Q.10. It is the Occupational Health and Safety Officer and Medical representative in the
organization who will help in OHS inspection and risk analysis. At first, the Health and Safety
committee will do health and safety hazard identification analysis where they will find the type

of hazards, seriousness of hazard and how control mechanism can be established. The first part
i.e. what type of hazard will be conducted by OHS officer. The intensity of hazard is measured
by the OHS committee after preliminary report submission by OHS Officer. Finally, the risk
analysis and further actions will be done by the committee itself with OHS Officer and
sometimes help from government or medical representatives are taken.
Q.11. Key consideration while conducting workplace safety inspection-
 At first listen to the concerns of workers and their representatives.
 Analyse the workplace hazards and incident reporting
 Identifying the potential hazards and the causes that are responsible for such hazards.
 Reviewing effectiveness of previously implemented hazard control.
 Inspection schedule will be prepared prior to inspection conduct.
 The inspector will check the frequency of inspection to adjust schedule.
 Before inspection starts, an inspection team will be formed where alongside the inspector
a local manager or supervisor or worker representative will be there.
 Inspection checklist will be prepared.
 Whenever the inspection is done, the inspector will tick the point in checklist to ensure
all stages are gone through.
Q.12. Contents of inspection report-
 Details about the contractor and his roles and responsibility for OHS.
 Project details
 Confidentiality and distribution details alongside internal health auditor details.
 Administrative requirements in OHS.
 Training, risk management and other general requirements
 Safe work method statement
 Work environment safety
 Falling objects and public protection
 Falls
 Ladders and platform supported by ladders
 Scaffolding
 Demolition

 Welding and hot work
 Electrical
 Hazardous substances and dangerous goods
 Asbestos management
 General traffic management
 Manual task
 Noise and other hazardous risks.
Q13. Consultation regarding OHS compliance issues and statutory requirements-
This type of action takes place when the existing OHS policies and procedures don’t fulfil the
requirements. In this case, consultation is done with workers and other duty holders at the
workplace. The WHS Act.2011 requires that where more than one person has a duty of same
matter, each person has the responsibility for their duty and they must discharge their duty to that
extent which he/she can control or influence. The Act. Also says that each duty holder will share
information in a timely manner to meet health and safety obligation. Overall, any health and
safety issue is addressed at worker level first, then it goes to the H&S Officer who further reports
to OHS committee. They do evaluation and revision in OHS guidelines take place. In any
statutory case, reference is taken from representatives of OHS at government level.
Q.14. Control measures goes in this way-
 After risk assessment is done, OHS committee decide what are the hazards, the level of
hazards, how likely to happen, frequency of happening, who will face, skill, experience
and knowledge of people about hazard facing and working condition.- Identification
 Implementation- 1. Design or reorganize materials, machines or work system to eliminate
hazards 2. Removal of hazard substances if possible 3. Isolate the hazard 4. Minimise
through engineering control 5. Minimise risk through administrative control 6. PPE
implementation.
 Review- Risk assessment checklist is carried and then the checklist is evaluated by the
OHS Committee to bring further changes.
Q15. Examples of OHS Communication Strategy-

OHS communication should be faster, better and full so that relevant changes can be done to
make better OHS system. The communication system depends on organization structure,
nature of work, number of personnel etc. here are some of popular communication types-
 WHS internet site- All OHS information is made available over WAN network
 WHS intranet site- All OHS information is made available to workers within the
premises through LAN.
 WHS performance indicator system
 WHS committee minutes
 Workplace advisory committee minutes
 Hazards and incidents report in organization website.
 Induction program for OHS.
 Material safety data sheets
 Fire and emergency evacuation information pasted on walls or in form of posters.
 Safety manuals or guides distributed to workers, employees and officials.
Q.16. Participate arrangements involved in OHS management-
In order to fulfil duty of care, one should know how to participate in OHS management program.
One is expected to know how to do this within the scope of own responsibilities and knowledge.
This can take place in the following way- suppose you are a Disability Service Worker-
 Review of the policies and procedures laid down under WHS Act.
 Consultation and issue resolution procedures in similar manner.
 Describing the critical incidences so that further actions will be taken.
 Play the role of motivator or influencer for the new staffs or volunteers.
 Taking up a formal role in WHS arrangements.
 Follow the emergency procedures in workplace.
 On-site and Off-site communication arrangement
Q.17. Education program related to OHS management-
There are a number of graduate, post graduate and diploma courses are offered by various
recognised university all over the world. These education program is basically meant to make

people realise the importance of OHS at workplace. How people can work in a better and safer
manner is the main motive of the course. Such programs teach us-
1. Basic theory of Occupational Health and Safety
2. Rules, regulation, procedures and compliances relating to WHS.
3. Quality improvement
4. Fire prevention
5. Environmental Toxicology
6. Waste management
7. Industry Hygiene
8. Health and Safety Communication strategy
9. Safety engineering
Q.18. 6 places on building sites where edge protection is required-
 Roof area working- Most of the worker falls due to lack of safety protection from this
area.
 Casting, erecting and striking level of workers while working on storeys.
 On ladders- Any casualty on this part can lead to death of worker if the ladder is of 15-
20ft high.
 Cranes- When worker is there to colour whole building or use cement on walls, they sit
on these cranes to do so in case where ladder can’t reach. Such cranes must be provided
edge protection so that they won’t fall down.
 Excavation- When some digging work is going on, worker may fall in hole if no edge
protection has given.
 Timber framed building- To support the structure, sometimes this timber framed is given
and workers tend to climb such timber to do finishing work. There too edge protection is
needed.
Q.19. Duty of care-
Each person has duty to ensure their action or failure to take action doesn’t harm any other
person. This becomes a part of OHS responsibilities for both employer and workforce. It is the

employer’s responsibility to ensure safer working environment and similarly it is the duty of
workforce to follow OHS standard guidelines while in work.
This “Duty of Care” can be understood with a simple example. Suppose, You are an employer,
so your duty of care towards employee will be-
 Any risk to their health and safety
 The procedures that are in place ensuring no harm and injuries to workers.
 Instructions and PPE provided to workers.
Q.20. A code of practice can’t be used as evidence in prosecutions under this act is correct.
Part-2 – Conduct an onsite OHS inspection
Section-1- Management Responsibility
Sub-section YES/NO Comment
1.1 Yes
1.2 Yes
1.3 Yes
1.4 Yes Except drilling area
1.5 Yes
1.6 Yes
1.7 Yes
1.8 No At administrative office
1.9 Yes
1.10 Yes
1.11 Yes Except on floor site
1.12 Yes
Section-2- Amenities

Sub Section Yes/No Comment
2.1 Yes
2.2 Yes
2.3 Yes
2.4 Yes
2.5 Yes
2.6 No Need water facility
2.7 Yes Repairing needed
Section-3- Emergency response/First aid
Sub section Yes/No Comment
3.1 Yes
3.2 No Ointment for burning needed
3.3 Yes
3.4 Yes
3.5 Yes 15th Jan, 2018
3.6 Yes
Section-4- Traffic Management
Sub section Yes/No Comment
4.1 Yes
4.2 Yes
4.3 Yes
4.4 Yes Painting on few areas needed
Section-5- Training and Consultation

Sub Section Yes/No Comment
5.1 Yes
5.2 No At admin office
5.3 Yes
5.4 Yes
5.5 Yes
5.6 Yes
5.7 Yes
5.8 Yes
5.9 Yes
5.10 Yes
5.11 Yes
5.12 Yes
5.13 Yes
5.14 Yes
5.15 Yes
Section-6- Electrical
Sub section Yes/No Comment
6.1 Yes
6.2 Yes
6.3 Yes
6.4 Yes
6.5 Yes
6.6 Yes
6.7 No Drilling machine needs to be
replaced
Section-7- Scaffolding

Sub section Yes/No Comment
7.1 Yes
7.2 Yes
7.3 Yes
7.4 Yes
7.5 No
7.6 Yes
7.7 Yes
7.8 No Generator room access is
limited
7.9 Yes
7.10 Yes
7.11 Yes
7.12 Yes
7.13 Yes
7.14 Yes
7.15 Yes
Section-8- Hazardous Materials
Sub section Yes/No Comment
8.1 Yes
8.2 Yes
8.3 Yes
8.4 Yes
8.5 Yes
8.6 Yes
8.7 No Shortage for 15 workers
Section-9- Cranes and rigging