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ENSURE A SAFE WORKPLACE

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Table of contents

1 Introduction ............................................................................... 2

2 OHS Legislation ......................................................................... 3

3 General workshop/studio safety ............................................... 4

4 After Hours Access ................................................................... 3

5 Risk Management ...................................................................... 3

6 Personal Protective Equipment ................................................ 4

7 Signage ...................................................................................... 6

8 Safe work procedures ............................................................... 5

9 Specific Hazards ....................................................................... 5

9.1 Manual Handling .................................................................. 5

9.3 Working with scissors and knives ....................................... 6

9.4 Working with glues and adhesives ...................................... 6

9.5 Slips, Trips and Falls ........................................................... 6

9.6 Housekeeping ...................................................................... 6

10 Injuries and incidents ............................................................. 7

11 Emergencies ............................................................................ 7

11.1 Evacuations ....................................................................... 8

11.3 Raising the alarm............................................................... 8

11.4 What do I do upon hearing fire alarm? ............................... 8

11.5 Fire Extinguishers.............................................................. 8

12 Emergency Contacts ............................................................... 8

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1 Introduction

This handbook has been prepared as a safety handbook for anyone working in our office.

The handbook contains a basic overview of safety polices and procedures relevant to working within the

graphic and screen design area. It is intended that this information will help maintain a safe and healthy work

environment.

Health and safety is everyone’s responsibility. It needs everyone’s understanding, participation and

cooperation.

Remember that you have a legal obligation to work in a way that does not endanger your health and safety,

or that of any other person in the workplace.

Return to the Table of Contents

2 OHS Legislation

General Information

Everyone in our office must comply with safety legislation and common law duties that apply to the workplace.

These requirements are found in the:

-The NSW Occupational Health and safety Act 2000

-The NSW Occupational health and safety regulations 2001

In conjunction with the above legal requirements our office polices and procedures outline specific requirements for

our workplaces.

NSW OHS Act 2000

The main law relating to workplace safety in NSW is the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000. This law aims to

protect the health, safety and welfare of all people in the workplace.

Management responsibilities

Our managers are required to provide:

A safe place of work

Safe systems of work

Safe and maintained plant and equipment

Information, instruction and training

Adequate Facilities for welfare

Your responsibilities

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OH&S is everyone’s responsibility therefore it is up to each and every individual using the facilities to ensure that their

actions and or omissions do not affect the health and safety of others. Office staff are responsible for

* Complying with our OH&S policies and procedures i.e. following safe working practices, following after hours

access procedures etc.

* Wearing the correct personal protection equipment i.e., safety glasses, hearing protection and respirators with the

correct cartridge for the application and covered shoes.

* Reporting any accidents and/or any hazards or potential hazards to the technical or teaching staff.

It is important that you understand, that as an individual you may be fined by WorkCover NSW if you do not comply

with safety legislation.


3 General workshop/studio safety

Wear enclosed footwear at ALL TIMES. Sandals worn with woollen socks, thongs or bare feet are not an

acceptable alternative.

Wear appropriate clothing

Tie back or cover hair when using machinery and equipment

NEVER use equipment until gaining competency

NEVER use equipment when affected by any drug or alcohol {penalties apply}

NEVER work alone

ALWAYS obey written warnings

ALWAYS wear appropriate personal protection when required

NEVER smoke, drink or eat in the area

ALWAYS clean up after yourself. Keeping studio areas clean and organised prevents unnecessary hazards to you

and to others, and keeps equipment in working order.


4 After Hours Access

Working after hours and working alone, increases the risk of certain hazards due to the reduction of immediate

assistance in the event of an incident. To prevent incidents it is important that the following procedure is followed.

After hours access is only permitted to authorised staff. An after hours access form and a risk assessment for the work

you will be undertaking must be completed. Refer to the OHS section of our Intranet.


5. Risk Management

A risk management approach is used in the area to minimise risks to health, safety and welfare.

The process taken is outlined below:

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1.Identifying hazards. What substances and processes do you use which are potentially injurious or hazardous to you

and others health;

2.Assessing the risk. Complete a risk assessment strategy and identify what are the risks associated with the hazard

(if any), safe working procedures compliance and advisory standards or any other references you can find.

3.Select control measures. Decide how to manage the hazard by seeking out appropriate control measures.

4.Implement control measures. Change the environment and your work practices, but make sure all your co-workers

are involved and consulted.

5.Monitor and review. Continually check the effectiveness of the control measures and modifications that have been

made. Stay abreast of changing standards and be aware of new knowledge.

Risk assessments

All plant, equipment, field excursions, exhibitions, research projects and any high to medium risk activities within our

office must have a risk assessment completed and signed by a manager. Forms can be downloaded from the office

Intranet OHS Section. Risk assessments must also be completed when new equipment/ chemicals/ new processes or

procedures are introduced.


6.Personal Protective Equipment

Staff must wear PPE where required at all times. A sign with a blue circle indicates what protective equipment

must be worn in an area or for a particular task. If you see anyone not wearing the correct PPE report it to a

manager.

Staff who have long hair must ensure their own safety by tying hair back, or if necessary, by wearing a hairnet. No

loose clothing or jewellery is to be worn when operating equipment.

Footwear

Substantial footwear such as covered shoes must be worn in the studios and workshops at all times. Sandals worn with

woollen socks, thongs or bare feet are not an acceptable alternative. Note: You will be refused entry to our office if

you do not have covered footwear.

Safety glasses

Safety glasses should be worn at all times where chemicals are being used, or when operating machinery. Eyeglasses

must have side protectors otherwise safety glasses must be worn over the top. It is recommended that face-shields are

used for hot or corrosive liquids and welding processes.

Gloves

Gloves should be worn whenever handling hazardous chemicals. Care must also be taken not to contaminate other

surfaces while wearing gloves and should be removed before touching other surfaces e.g. door handles, cupboards etc.

Other Protective equipment

Other protective equipment may be needed for some processes. In addition there are safety posters that inform you of

what protective equipment needs to be worn in certain areas. Other protective equipment may include such things as

aprons, hearing protection, respirators and dust masks.


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7. Signage

Safety signs warn you of health and safety risks. You must always follow safety signs. In Australia colours and shapes

on safety signs have a particular meaning.

Red circles with a cross mean the action is not permitted.

Blue circles indicate that an action must be done, such as wearing safety glasses.

Yellow safety signs are cautionary and alert you to hazards that may be present in an area.

Danger signs indicate life-threatening hazards.

Green signs indicate emergency equipment and services. Such as first aid and emergency showers.

Red signs indicate fire related information.


8. Safe work procedures

All tasks that present a risk to health and safety MUST have a safe working procedure.

Safe work procedures for design and screen projects can be found on the office Intranet

Safe working procedures include:

Clear step by step instructions for undertaking the task safely

Hazards involved in performing the task

What personal protective equipment is required when performing the task

Emergency procedures

Clean up and waste disposal requirements.


9. Specific Hazards

9.1 Manual Handling

Many of the techniques used in design and screen require the use of repetitive actions. Performing repetitive tasks for

long periods can lead to injury therefore it is important to

Make sure all the equipment or materials you are using are within easy reach

Ensure you maintain a comfortable working posture while working. Avoid bending and stooping for any period

of time. Change your posture regularly.

Ensure you have frequent work breaks when performing repetitive tasks or vary your working routine throughout

the day

Try to swap hands if you are continuously using one hand

Try to take your time when completing a large project

Do some stretching exercises when you take a break

Lifting and moving objects

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Do not attempt to lift heavy items on your own. Always use a trolley or ask someone for help.

For more information on lifting and moving objects refer to the safe working procedure for lifting and

moving objects.

9.3 Working with scissors and knives

When using scissors and knives it is important that you;

Do not use defective scissors or knives e.g. broken handles

Do not carry sharp tools in your pocket

Ensure you have a good grip before using

Keep hands and fingers away from sharp edges

9.4 Working with glues and adhesives

When working with glues and adhesives it is important that you

Work in a well-ventilated area

Clean any spills immediately

Wear any personal protective equipment required

Never eating, drinking or smoking when working with these substances

9.5 Slips, Trips and Falls

You can reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls by:

Wearing the correct footwear

Cleaning up any spills

Making sure any electrical cords are not run across pathways

Reporting any slips, trips and falls to a manager

9.6 Housekeeping

Good housekeeping is very important keeping the area safe.

Observe the following guidelines to make the working environment as safe as possible:

Clean any spills immediately

Always wipe down surfaces after working

Keep access to emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers clear

Do not block emergency exits or pathways

Ensure you have enough room to work safely

Keep electrical cords out of the way


10. Injuries and incidents

If you are injured or involved in a safety incident, you need to make sure you:

-Seek immediate first aid or medical attention

-Report the incident/injury to your manager as soon as possible after the event

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This includes reporting incidents that have not resulted in an injury, but could have lead to unintended and / or

unnecessary harm. Incident report forms can be found on the the office Intranet

First Aid

In each area there are posters that display the names and contact numbers of our office’s first aid officers.

These are the people you should contact if you or someone else is injured. You should make yourself aware of the

location of the first aid poster in your area.


11 Emergencies

All emergencies must be reported immediately.

In case of emergency you need to contact:

1. Reception

2. Your manager

3. Others in the immediate area

11.1 Evacuations

There are emergency evacuation plans displayed in our office – familiarise yourself with their location and the identity

of our floor warden.

If there is an evacuation you should follow instructions given by the floor warden and make your way to the

evacuation point displayed on the evacuation plan.

11.2 Fire

If you discover a fire, there are three major considerations:

1. Raising the Alarm

2. Fighting the fire

3. Evacuating the building

The priority of these depends on the circumstances. In all cases, personal safety is of paramount importance.

11.3 Raising the alarm

Alert people nearby and enlist their aid.

• Attempt to put out the fire only if you are familiar with the use of extinguishers and the fire is small.

• Determine the type of fire and use the appropriate fire extinguisher.

• If heat or smoke become threatening; leave the building closing all windows and doors if safe to do so.

• Never let a fire get between you and the exit.

11.4 What do I do upon hearing fire alarm?

The fire alarm may be sounded by a bell, hooter or siren, depending on the building. When you hear the alarm,

evacuate the building calmly and promptly, as follows:

• Switch off any electrical equipment or fuel sources in your room if safe to do so

• Close windows and doors if safe to do so.

• Leave the building by the shortest possible route.

• DO NOT USE LIFTS.

• Follow directions of managers and wardens.

• Proceed to the Assembly Area designated for our office.

• Do NOT cluster around doorways.

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• Wait for further directions from a manager or Fire Brigade.

• Do NOT re-enter the building until authorised to do so by a warden or delegate.

• NEVER enter a building when the alarm is sounding

11.5 Fire Extinguishers

Portable fire extinguishers can save lives and property by putting out or containing fires within the capability of the

extinguisher.

However, they must be of the correct type for the particular fire, and they must be used correctly.

Red( water) :- Is suitable for wood, paper and cardboard. Not to be used on electrical, oil or fats.

Red with black stripe (CO2) :- Is suitable all fires except gas fires.

Red with blue band (Foam):- Is suitable for flammable liquids. Not to be used on electrical, oil or fats.

Red with white stripe(Dry Chemical) :- Is suitable for paper ,wood and textiles, Petrol, oils and paints, Gas fires and

Electrical fires.


12. Emergency Contacts Note: for external number first dial "0".

Emergency (Ambulance Police Fire) (0) 000

St Vincent’s Hospital (Emergency department) (0) 8382 2520

Poisons Information Centre (0) 131 126


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