HLTWHS004 Manage work health and

safety
© Cathy Wagner 2016
Assessment for Student
Assessment 2 – Project
Assessment condition: Project documentation including quality criteria, evidence of
quality monitoring and improvement practices
Instruction to students
 You are required to complete the following activities as part of your project.

 You will be required to submit each component as required.

 If you are not working, please speak with your Trainer in regards to
alternatives to some of the tasks below.

Task 1
Research the WHS legislation for your own State and write the website and any
documents you have found.

https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/

By looking at the website, you will see that this includes contents related to
safety and prevention which basically this section offers information and
tools to help you manage risks, protect health, safety and wellbeing and
understand incidents and notifications. And also it should be worthy to the
hazards for us to know what are the things that cause us harm and as we
know every place of work has hazards. So, in that case, part of learning the
safety and prevention, might as well learning on the hazards and to keep
yourself and workers safe from harm.

Not only that, this site also includes claims and insurance, rehabilitation and
return to work, licensing and registration, law and compliance, industry and
kind of work you do, and resources.

In the Resources section, you will find various categories that could assist
you in locating the all resources types, all industries, all audiences, all
authors, and all hazard types. It helps you use the in-page search or filters to
find what you need. Checking out below, you’ll see these types.
Resources Types:
1. All resources types Campaign, case study, form, guide,
podcast, publication, statistics, tool,
video
2. All industries Accommodation and food services;
administrative and support services;
agriculture, forestry and fishing
3. All authors Accommodation and food services;
administrative and support services;
agriculture, forestry and fishing
4. All Hazard Types Electrical, environment, hazardous
chemical, hazardous manual task, health
and wellbeing, material, mental health,
plant, equipment and vehicle
5. All audiences Business, legal professionals, medical
and allied health professionals, other,
self insurers, workers

Resources:
https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/safety-and-prevention
https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/resources

Task 2
Research the most up to date WHS document policies for your own role or at least within
your organisation

Write the name of the document.

Labelling and Safety Data Sheets

Write where you found the document location.

The Labelling and Safety Data Sheets is put inside the manager’s office and any persons
assigned for prevention hazards are given the access to go inside the said office in cases
these sheets are needed for the segregation of hazardous chemicals.

What does the document outline?

A safety data sheet (SDS) includes important information to help reduce risks of using
hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods in your place of work. It provide a preparation
of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals code of practice 2011

Inside the file provides guidance on how to prepare a safety data sheet for any hazardous
chemicals that are being manufactured or imported for use, handling or storage in
Australia.

Resources:
https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/search?query=safety+data+sheets

Task 3
Identify one hazard or risk in the workplace.

SLIP AND FALL. This is by far the most common incident that occurred inside the
workplace due to some circumstances. Managing the risk falls must be identify on what
are the kinds of fall hazards, how to assist the risk, how to control the risk, and how to
review control measure.

Managing the risk of falls at workplace code of practice 2018.

This code of practices applies to all workplaces covered by the WHS Act and Regulations
where there is a risk of a fall by a person from one level to another that is reasonably
likely to cause injury.

Thus, in identifying the fall hazards you must identify all locations and tasks that could
cause injury due to a fall. This includes access to the areas where work is to be carried
out. Tasks that need particular attention are those carried out:

 on any structure or plant being constructed or installed, demolished or dismantled,

inspected, tested, repaired or cleaned
 on a fragile surface (for example, cement sheeting roofs, rusty metal roofs, fibreglass
sheeting roofs and skylights)
 on a potentially unstable surface (for example, areas where there is potential for ground
collapse)
 using equipment to work at the elevated level (for example, when using elevating work
platforms or portable ladders)
 on a sloping or slippery surface where it is difficult for people to maintain their balance
(for example, on glazed tiles)
 near an unprotected open edge (for example, near incomplete stairwells)
 near a hole, shaft or pit into which a worker could fall (for example, trenches, lift shafts
or service pits).

Resources:
https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/22129/managing-risks-
falls-workplaces-cop-2018.pdf

Task 4
Identify a method of identification and control for hazards and infections in the
workplace.

ASSESS THE RISK. Risk assessment template is the best ways to control that risk. The
company provided this risk assessment to guide you and record your assessments.

When should I perform a risk assessment?

Many common hazards already have well-known risks and controls, such as slip and trip
hazards. If you can quickly eliminate the risk from these common hazards (for example,
removing trip hazards from a walkway), you can skip the risk assessment process. But
managing risks is an ongoing process and many workplace hazards won’t be obvious
right away. Its best practice to complete the full risk assessment process, especially when:

•your workplace layout or practices are changed

•new equipment, materials or work processes are introduced
•there is an injury or near miss.

How to assess risks at work

For each hazard, work out:

•the severity of harm it could cause (from discomfort to serious injury or death)
•how likely that harm is to occur (from certain to unlikely or rare)
•what controls are already in place to reduce the risk of harm
•how urgently additional action needs to be taken.

The level of risk you assess for each hazard will depend on all these factors. For example,
meshing gears in an enclosed gearbox can cause severe crushing injuries. However, this
injury can only happen when the gearbox is open during maintenance. This means the risk
during normal operation may be low – but during maintenance the risk may be quite high.

Once you know the risks in your place of work, you need to protect workers by
controlling the risks effectively. A control is any measure that reduces a risk. Sometimes,
 a single control might be enough to eliminate a risk, like removing a tripping hazard from
the work environment. Other risks might need several control measures.

You should choose the controls that either remove the hazard or reduce the risk most
effectively. The law requires you to implement controls that minimise risk as far as
reasonably practicable. This means doing what you are reasonably able to do.

Task 5
Create an assessment checklist and assess the risk of the hazard using this checklist.

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION CHECKLIST

Name: Charlotte Homes

Location: 9 Marathon St, Proserpine QLD 4800
Date: 19/02/2021
Work Area Inspected: Proserpine Senior Living Inc.

Work Environment Yes No Comment

Is the workplace kept clean and tidy? (No presence of 
scattered objects or untied up cords on the floor)

Is there adequate storage for tools, equipment, stock or 

product supplies? (Storage designed to minimise
manual handling problems)

Have you ensured that things cannot fall onto people? 

(Goods cannot fall from height, shelving is securely fix
to floors or walls, stacks cannot fall over)

Have you made sure people cannot slip, trip or fall 

when moving around the workplace?
Is there enough light to perform the task? 

Is adequate ventilation provided to ensure a supply of 

clean air?
Is there enough space to allow free movement while 
doing task?

Equipment, Machinery, and Tools Yes No Comment

Are tools and machinery properly guarded? 

Are tools, equipment and machinery regularly 

maintained?
Is there a process to ensure that tools and machinery 
are switches off before maintenance and cleaning is
carried out and that other staff cannot inadvertently
start them during maintenance and cleaning?
Are repairs always carried out by authorized and 
competent personnel?
Are health and safety risks considered before 
modification or alteration to any tools, equipment or
machinery?
Is there sufficient workplace around machinery for both 
operation and maintenance?

Has provision been made to safety store or dispose of 

waste or off-cuts?

Chemical and Other Hazardous Substances Yes No Comment

Is there an up-to-date list of chemicals in your facility? 

Do you have Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for all 

chemicals and have you made these available to all
workers using any of the chemicals?

Have you assessed the risk of exposure (via inhalation, 

skin contact or ingestion) during transport, handling,
storage and use of any chemicals?

Is storage only in approved containers? 

Are all containers completely and correctly labelled? 

Are chemicals and other substances stored safely? 

Are workers trained in the safe use, handling, transport 
and storage of the chemicals they use?

Task 6
Identify whether the hazard needs to have a WHS expert or other advisor and give reasons
why or why not.

1. Storage

Adequate storage for equipment and materials is provided close to where these are used
and it seems that the storage where they put the equipment are being put anywhere being
not organized. Storage units eg. racks, shelves etc. are suitably designed to take the
weight of stored items, are stable, and are kept in good condition in which there units has
been old aged that must be required to have a new one for it will cause damage in the
future. Commonly used and heavy items are stored between mid-thighs and should
height- again, it was place anywhere that you cannot recognized where the heavy and not
heavy items are being put.

2. Hazardous Chemicals

The risks to health and safety associated with using, handling, generating or storing
hazardous chemicals is managed Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available for all chemicals,
and provided to workers. However, each worker that are assigned to store hazardous
chemicals doesn’t have the safety data sheet. In that case I assumed that they are also
guessing which chemicals are hazardous and not hazardous which is not proper. All
containers are labelled correctly, as when I checked, the label are blurred and cannot be
understandable by an ordinary man.

3. Machinery (Plant)

Manufacturer’s manuals are available and recommendations followed. However, it is

different in this case, there store does not provide manuals available for their workers.
Risk assessments should be done when there is uncertainty about how hazard may result
in injury or illness. Upon checking, the company did not do an assessment risk for their
chemicals for about a decade and it cause a red alert on our side as this should be done at
least twice a year in order to keep the safety of the company and its workers. Plant is not
being kept clean and adequately guarded. Starting and stopping devices are not clearly
marked and is not within reach of operator.

Task 7
Develop a consultative WHS activity which you could use to provide advice in relation to
work health and safety issues to another staff member and outline why you would use this
format.

Pls. see attached file below for An Outline of Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice
2011

https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/20287/hazardous-manual-
tasks-cop-2011.pdf

This code provides practical guidance to persons conducting a business or undertaking on

how to manage the risk of musculoskeletal disorders arising from hazardous manual tasks
in the workplace. It applies to all types of work and all workplaces where manual tasks
are carried out. This code explains how to identify hazardous manual tasks, assess the
risks of musculoskeletal disorders and eliminate or minimise those risks. This guidance is
also relevant for designers, manufacturers, importers or suppliers of equipment, materials
and tools used for work, as well as designers of workplaces where manual tasks are
carried out.

Thus, this Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice 2011 could be of great used to those
workers and employees pertaining to Safe Manual Handling. It was discussed by person
in charged or Work Health and Safety Officer in the facility.

Resources:

https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/safety-and-prevention/hazards/hazardous-manual-
tasks/hazardous-manual-task-resources

Task 8
Identify how you could monitor that workers have an opportunity to contribute feedback
on health and safety issues.

Based on my experience, there are variety of ways on how to regularly monitor the
workers health and safety.

• Regular staff meetings - allows an open dialog for staff suggestions where we
can express our thoughts on what are the things that needs to be taken care of and things
that are needs for improvement to avoid harm.
 • Suggestion box- it allows for anonymous feedback and also it is a fair way of
improving the company without pinpointing whose the person writing behind the
feedback because in that case it would cause hatred to that person or worst a released
from work.

• Regular staff emails- this should keep the employees up to date with what’s
going on and allow a dialog for suggestions to follow so that employees will be able to
know and informed right away in cases of new updates in the company.

• Feedback questionnaires- can be done anonymously periodically to get regular

reports back, and in this case, the company would be able to hit and provide the direct
resolutions to the issue.

Task 9
You are asked to ask another person either in your work group, or your workplace (for
example it could be your supervisor or another worker), to identify any kind of hazard
they may have come across.
- List that risk or hazard
- Create an action plan for reducing this risk.
- Communicate that idea to the other person and identify how you communicated it.
(Proof example, email trail)
- Ask for their feedback on what they think about the action plan and include this
feedback. (Proof could be an email or signed document)

Please see another file attachment for action plan.

The action plan was carefully reviewed by one of our supervisor in an organisation through
email and is ready to be shared to all the workers in the organization.
Task 10
Identify how your organisation identifies responsibilities and duties for WHS
workers in your workplace.

Our company provides the Manual Tasks Involving the Handling of People Code of
Practice 2001 a code of practice applies to anyone who has a duty of care in the
circumstances described in the code. In most cases, following an approved code of
practice would achieve compliance with the health and safety duties in the WHS Act, in
relation to the subject matter of the code. Like regulations, codes of practice deal with
particular issues and do not cover all hazards or risks which may arise. The health and
safety duties require duty holders to consider all risks associated with work, not only
those for which regulations and codes of practice exist. This codes of practice are
admissible in court proceedings under the WHS Act and WHS Regulation. Courts may
regard a code of practice as evidence of what is known about a hazard, risk or control and
may rely on the code in determining what is reasonably practicable in the circumstances
to which the code relates.
Thus, an inspector may refer to an approved code of practice when issuing an
improvement or prohibition notice. This may include issuing an improvement notice for
failure to comply with a code of practice where equivalent or higher standards of work
health and safety have not been demonstrated.

The other one is How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice
2011. This code provides practical guidance for persons who have duties under the WHS
Act and WHS Regulation to manage risks to health and safety. The duty is placed on
persons conducting a business or undertaking, including employers, self-employed
people, principal contractors, persons with management or control of a workplace,
designers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers of plant, substances or structures that
are used for work. This code applies to all types of work and all workplaces covered by
the WHS Act. Other approved codes of practice should be referenced for guidance on
managing the risk of specific hazards.

Resources:

https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/18033/manage-whs-risks-
cop-2011.pdf
https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/21525/manual-tasks-
people-handling-cop-2001.pdf

How does the organisation document accountability for WHS? Give a specific
example.

In cases of injuries. An INCIDENT REPORT must be made on the day of the incident.

All employers must report injuries sustained by workers for which workers’
compensation may be payable by their workers’ compensation insurer.

You must report injuries:

• Regardless of whether the worker makes a claim for workers’ compensation

• Even if you do not agree the injury is compensable.

Reporting the injury is not the same as making a claim for workers’ compensation. Your
insurer will notify you if they receive a workers’ compensation application from one of
your workers. Your insurer will decide if the workers’ compensation claim is to be
accepted or rejected.

You must report injuries to your insurer if:

• A worker sustains an injury (personal injury, disease, aggravation of a personal injury,
disease or medical condition, loss of hearing or death)
• You are aware of the injury
• The injury may be compensable. An injury may be compensable when you and/or a
worker reasonably believes: (1) the injury has arisen out of, or in the course of
employment and (2) the injury will require medical treatment resulting in the issue of a
medical certificate or will require the worker to have time off work (beyond the day of
sustaining the injury) or time away from their normal duties to recover from the injury.

Resources:

https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/laws-and-compliance/workers-compensation-
laws/guidance-materials/reporting-injuries