HLTWHS003: Case Study Analysis of Work Health and Safety Incidents

This case study, focusing on HLTWHS003 Maintain Work Health and Safety, presents two workplace incidents. The first involves an electrical shock due to faulty equipment, prompting an analysis of hazards, contributing factors (inadequate maintenance, damaged equipment), and preventive contro...Read More

HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
Case Study v1.0 (2016/11/02)
5
HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
Name
Email address
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 hazards that can be determined in the above case study includes:
• The young worker without having any knowledge regarding the danger of
touching the electrical received electric shock.
• The underside of the cord of the electrical was found out to be worn out, which
is one of the main cause of the occurrence of such a scenario.
• On further being investigated, it was found out that due to inadequate
maintenance of the lunchroom, along with the electrical kettle the toaster was
also found with worn away cord.
2. List three factors that may have contributed to this incident.

HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
Case Study v1.0 (2016/11/02)
5
• The factors that may have given rise to such a condition:
• Inadequate maintenance of the lunchroom. Moreover, as it is a lunchroom,
thereby the presence of water is mandatory, which might also become the
reason of contributing to the occurrence of such an incident.
• Damaged tools and equipments kept at the lunch bar. The exposure to such
conditions pose high levels of risk.
• The exposure of certain electrical parts, as stated in the case study is also one
of the main reason for the occurrence of such an incident. The cord of the
electric kettle was found worn out. It was found that an exposure of 12mm
length of a live conductor cord was open, which on being touched had led to
the younger worker receiving electrical shock. Defective or damaged insulation
might also become the reason of the occurrence of such a deadly incident.
3. List two control measures that may have prevented this incident.
Taking safety precautions and measurements to prevent any kind of occurrence of
hazards is mandatory. The multiple number of the employees present need to have a
proper training in order to protect to themselves or their fellow colleagues. There
have been numerous accidents that have been observed to take place causing severe
damage or fatality. Thereby, to prevent the occurrences of any such incidents at the
workplace, it is very important to maintain some of the precautions that include:
a) The power cord that are used in the equipments should be of high qualities and
of some renowned brand.
b) Installing power strips in the workplace at such a location, where there should

HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
Case Study v1.0 (2016/11/02)
5
be enough passage of air.
c) There should be regular inspection of the electrical cords regularly and keep
them in proper condition or check for any need of replacement.

HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
Case Study v1.0 (2016/11/02)
5
Case study 2
This scenario was part of the knowledge questions assessment. However, the task that you
need to complete is different for this assessment, and there is more information.
It is late afternoon on 15th October 2016. One of the clients at your dental practice becomes
quite angry when he is handed his bill. The receptionist, Joni Tingman, does what she can to
calm him down, but his aggressive behaviour has started to escalate. She walks from behind
the reception desk to offer him a seat, but you can see that Joni is becoming quite scared, and
you are concerned that the man may become physically violent. As you are the most senior
employee you decide to step in and ask the man to leave immediately. He walks outside, but
you can see he is still very angry and starting to kick cars in the car park, shouting obscenities.
As a result of this, you put the building into lockdown and phone the police. Joni is not
physically injured, but she is very distraught. She is a 40-year-old woman who is usually in good
health. You ask her if she needs to go to hospital, but she refuses. You organise for another
person to take her home and advise her to see her doctor.
As this is a notifiable incident, you are to download an incident report. Use one from your
workplace (with approval), or develop your own one. Complete and submit it with this
assessment.
The incident report has been attached along with the file in a separate copy.

HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
Case Study v1.0 (2016/11/02)
5
Quality outcomes
Ensure the following for your submission:
i) It is grammatically correct.
ii) It is error-free.
iii) It is written in simple English.
iv) It comprises an average of 15 words for each sentence.
v) There are separate paragraphs for each new content/topic or discussions. Include
references to relevant legislation, which must be defined.
Attach any models, tools, or resources that could be used in an organisation to improve the case
study situations presented.
Tip: Read all text aloud in order to identify any gaps and correct them. Ask another person to
proof read your work in order to check for accuracy before you submit.
A minimum of 1,000 words is required (attachments are not to be included in word count).
Writing strategies and actions for future improvements
A case study is designed for you to demonstrate your skills in reading, accurate interpretation,
and providing workable responses and strategies.
Check that your responses provide:
1. Identification and clarification of the key issues. Discuss and provide some suggestions as
to what has caused these.
2. Key facts and information that is relevant and demonstrates your ability to provide
solutions.
3. Templates and resources that could assist managers in the future when managing their
teams.
4. Recommendations, both short term and long term, to improve the current situation.
Also, ensure the appropriate use of headings and formats so as to reflect a professional
presentation.