• Occupational Health and Safety
• Hazardous substances
• Fire exits
• Manual handling policy
• Fire safety procedure
• Emergency procedures
• First aid

Occupational Health and Safety standards

Occupational Health and Safety

On induction staff are made aware that they are an active part of the organisation’s OHS policy. Each staff member has a responsibility to their colleagues and their organisation to report and act upon any potential workplace hazard.

All staff need to be aware of the type of hazards that are possible in their work environment.

Procedure

1. Identify the hazard
2. Clear the area close to the hazard
3. Partition the hazard off or clearly identify the area to protect other people from harm
4. If the hazard is easily and safely cleared, then do so

If not…

5. Report the hazard to the appropriate person, to obtain assistance
6. Following clearing of the hazard fill out the correct documentation to assist in identifying improved practice to reduce further incidence of hazards.

All hazards must be reported using Sunset Bay’s Hazard Report form. This enables us to track the kinds of hazards we have in our workplace, and take action where necessary to make it safer for all staff and clients.

Hazardous substances

If the workplace hazard appears to be dangerous to staff and clients and professional assistance is required:

1. Call the supervisor or manager and advise them of the problem and the urgency of the matter.
2. Depending on the risk it may be called as an evacuation.
3. Follow the evacuation procedure.
4. The supervisor or manager will call in the fire brigade or specialised personnel who will deal with the spill.

Fire exits

All fire exits should be kept clear of all obstacles. All staff have a responsibility to make sure that chairs, empty boxes or any other type of obstacle are not placed in or near fire exit doorways.

All corridors also need to have equipment stored on one side only to ensure that in the event of an emergency there is a clear exit.

Manual Handling policy

Back injuries from lifting objects were once very common in workplaces. For this reason, most facilities have instigated staff education programs on correct lifting procedures and where possible use equipment that will lift rather than use manpower. Yearly education ensures that all staff are kept up to date with current procedures and that their methods are correct.

Sunset Bay has a "no lifting policy" for any lifts that are:

• over 20kg, or
• of an unwieldy nature.

A "no lifting policy" simply means that if you ever feel that something is too heavy for you to lift, please use mechanical means. Staff are trained in the use of mechanical lifters specific to their area.

Fire Safety Procedure

Each work area has a designated fire warden, who in the event of a fire will take charge. They are recognised by the wearing of a red hard hat.

If you find the fire

• Assess the danger prior to doing anything.
• If it is safe to move assist anyone in the vicinity of the fire away from danger.
• If it is possible close the door to the fire area.
• Call for assistance. Verbally call FIRE, FIRE, in a loud and clear voice.
• Break the glass section of the fire alert call point.
• Call to the switch; ensure you know where the fire is, any other details that may be of assistance to the fire brigade. Details could be size of the fire, cause or type of fire, any people hurt or trapped, has anyone tried to put it out.
• If safe to do so, attack the fire with the correct extinguisher or fire hose.

If the designated fire warden or fire officer is not present, someone quickly needs to take responsibility and:

1. Locate the source of the fire.
2. Locate any people.
3. Remove all people from the building.
4. Once outside do a head count.
5. Notify the authorities.

Fire evacuation plan

Floor plan giving route of escape

Emergency Procedures

Earthquakes

If it is safe, go outside to an open space, away from buildings and electricity poles. Follow the emergency evacuation plan. If the designated safety officer is not present someone quickly needs to take responsibility and:

• Evacuate all persons to the assembly area.
• Use the stairs as it is not safe to use the lifts in an emergency.
• Take the work roster to identify which staff are working in the area.
• Assemble at the designated assembly point.
• Check all staff are present or their location, if known.
• Report any missing persons.

If unable to go outside:

• Try to find a room that is small, where the walls are short in length and thus stronger. Eg. toilet, bathroom.
• Stay away from any external windows.
• Wait until quake stops and then evacuate.
• There may be aftershocks and further tremors so you need to try to find an area away from buildings.

Flooding

In all cases of flooding care needs to be taken to reduce the possibility of injury that may occur from slipping, objects falling or electrocution.

Localised flooding

Where flooding is due to the building sprinkler system, burst water main or pipe:

• If possible, turn off the water at the mains.
• Notify your supervisor who will call a plumber.
• Remove any items that may be damaged by the water.
• Commence clean up when authorised.
• Check if there needs to be an assessment done for insurance purposes before you begin cleaning away the "evidence".

Severe flooding

Upon notification of the impending flooding:

• Raise and secure any unsecured items to a higher level to reduce the chance of damage.
• Remove any important documents or items. However, keep to a minimum the transportation of any items as it may impede your evacuation attempts.
• The area should be evacuated, electricity and gas supplies to the area shut off.
• Assemble at the designated assembly point and await further instructions.

Explosion

• Take cover under tables, desks or other objects to reduce the possibility of injury from flying glass and debris.
• Evacuate the area as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Use the stairs as it is not safe to use the lifts in an emergency.
• Assist others to leave the area.
• Take the work roster to identify which staff are working in the area.
• Assemble at the assembly point at least 30 meters away from the building.
• Check all staff are present or their location, if known.
• Report any missing persons.
• Remain at the assembly point until told you may leave by the safety warden.

Emergency evacuation plan

Floor plan giving route of escape

Gas leak

• Ensure no naked flames by telling everyone of the gas leak and posting notices.
• Electricity and gas supplies cut off to the area if possible.
• Evacuate the area.
• Contact the gas company.

Cyclone

• Prepare for the cyclone by taping up windows or closing shutters.
• Remove anything outside that can become a projectile in the winds.
• Stay inside.
• Turn off electricity and gas supplies to the area if possible.
• Try to find a room that is small, where the walls are short in length and thus stronger. Eg toilet, bathroom.
• Stay away from any external windows.
• Don’t go outside until you are notified it is safe to do so.
• Listen to local radio to follow details of the cyclone.

Receiving a bomb threat

• Stay calm, speak in a calm voice.
• Try to have someone else also listen to the conversation.
• Note time of the call.
• Keep them talking whilst someone else rings the police.
• Note anything identifiable: sounds in the background, accent, gender, age. Tell the person that they may harm others in the building.
• Try to get information, where the bomb is, what type of explosive device is it, time til detonation, why, any other details.
• Write everything down.

Armed hold up, drug or psychiatric emergency.

• Keep calm, speak in a calm voice.
• Don’t get into any argument with the person.
• Where appropriate, give them what they want.
• If possible, press the hidden alarm bell.
• Try to note any details about the perpetrator, height, accent, eye colour, any distinguishing marks.
• Following the incident, write all details down as small details will be forgotten very quickly.

First aid

All staff should be encouraged to maintain a current first aid certificate. It may be a requirement of employment in certain areas of the Campus that they have a certificate.

In any instances requiring first aid, staff should notify the first aid officer who will take over care of the individual and seek appropriate medical aid.

CPR procedure

D - Check for DANGER; to you, to others, to the casualty.
R - Check for a RESPONSE - is the casualty conscious or unconscious?
A - Check the AIRWAY - is it clear of objects, and open?
B - Check for BREATHING - is the chest rising/falling? Can you hear the casualty breathing, or feel his/her breath on your cheek?
C - Check for CIRCULATION - can you feel a pulse? Can you see any obvious signs of life?

Following any event:

Documentation
Following any OHS incident, a Incident Report Form must be completed. This is a very important step to remember, because we must track all OHS incidents and use the data gathered to make the environment safer for staff and clients. If you are a witness to an incident, you may be asked to be part of the reporting procedure. You need to carefully remember exactly what happened, as accurate documentation and reporting of all details may be able to prevent a similar incident or event from happening again in the future.

Follow up and debriefing
There may be a meeting with staff to talk about what happened. Take this opportunity to voice how you felt during and after the event, and to support other staff in their feelings of the event. If you find that you are not sleeping, feeling anxious, thinking about the event more than you feel comfortable with perhaps you would benefit form talking to a trained counsellor. They will help you to understand your thoughts and feelings of the event, and can be arranged through your human resources department.