CASE STUDY 4: REVISING THE PROCEDURE

Jenny works in the local neighbourhood centre in the administration department. Jenny’s department is
responsible for ordering and storing stationery for the entire centre.
The procedure for receiving orders of stationery the centre reads as follows:

SAFE WORK PROCEDURE – DELIVERIES AND STORAGE OF STATIONERY

The administration staff will be responsible for accepting and storing stationary orders.
Procedure:
 When stationery orders are delivered, check the content of the delivery to ensure it matches the
delivery docket.
 Sign the delivery company’s documentation.
 Immediately move stationery received into the storeroom. If the box is too heavy, ask another worker
to assist with moving the box.
 Unpack the stationery and store it as follows:
 Small items for everyday use – store on low and middle shelves.
 One box of photocopy paper to be split into individual reams and stored on easy to reach shelf.
 Remainder of boxes of photocopy paper to be stored (in boxes) on top shelf.
 Staff must use the ladder provided to lift the boxes onto the top shelf.

Yesterday Jenny received a large order of stationery. She was busy with other work so she asked Martin
to help her so she could get through it faster.
One of the boxes was very heavy, so Martin said he would move it to the storeroom. Jenny offered to
help, but he said he was fine. Unfortunately Martin tripped over his own feet when he was moving the
box and fell down the small step that led into the storeroom.
He had to be taken to hospital – he had fractured his wrist.
After all the drama of Martin’s accident died down, Jenny decided to put all the stationery away herself.
She had almost got everything done, but the last items were six boxes of photocopy paper. Jenny used
the ladder as instructed by the procedures to put the boxes on the top shelf. By the time she got to the
fourth box she was exhausted – it was hard work lifting boxes up a ladder!
Just was she was about to put the box on the shelf, her foot slipped on the ladder step. She fell onto the
floor – thankfully the box did not hit her! However, Jenny still ended up with cuts on her leg from the
metal ladder, and lots of bruises and a very sore ankle and arm.
Naomi is the new manager of the neighbourhood centre. She has been on the job for not even two
weeks. She is horrified that two accidents could occur on the same day, and in the same place.
Naomi investigates the incident and when she reads the procedure she is shocked at the manual
handling processes that staff are being advised to carry out. She is surprised there hasn’t been more
serious accidents.
She knows the procedure must be fixed immediately!
1. Revise the neighbourhood centre’s procedure so it correctly advises staff how to use safe manual
handling procedures. You may like to refer to the Code of Practice for Manual Handling for your state
or territory. 
For example: Code of Practice for Manual Handling No 25, Worksafe Victoria, April 2000
http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/9426/COP25_manualhandling.pdf.

hen stationery orders are delivered,

check the content of the delivery to
ensure it matches the delivery
docket.
▪ Sign the delivery company’s
documentation.
▪ Unpack the stationery and store it as
follows:
− Small items for everyday use – store
on top shelves.
− One box of photocopy paper to be
split into individual reams and stored on
easy to reach shelf.
− Remainder of boxes of photocopy
paper to be stored (in boxes) on lower
shelf and middle shelf. To
 avoid fall
− Staff must use the ladder provided to
put onto the top shelf the small items for
everyday use
hen stationery orders are delivered,
check the content of the delivery to
ensure it matches the delivery
docket.
▪ Sign the delivery company’s
documentation.
▪ Unpack the stationery and store it as
follows:
− Small items for everyday use – store
on top shelves.
− One box of photocopy paper to be
split into individual reams and stored on
easy to reach shelf.
− Remainder of boxes of photocopy
paper to be stored (in boxes) on lower
 shelf and middle shelf. To
avoid fall
− Staff must use the ladder provided to
put onto the top shelf the small items for
everyday use
When stationery orders are delivered, check the content of the delivery to ensure it matches the
delivery docket.

▪ Sign the delivery company’s documentation.

▪ Unpack the stationery and store it as follows:

− Small items for everyday use – store on top shelves.

− One box of photocopy paper to be split into individual reams and stored on easy to reach shelf.

− Remainder of boxes of photocopy paper to be stored (in boxes) on lower shelf and middle shelf. To

avoid fall.

− Staff must use the ladder provided to put onto the top shelf the small items for everyday use

2. Suggest three other actions that Naomi could take to make the storage process safer.

1. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as a hard hat, safety shoes,
gloves and glasses.

2. Keep aisles, travel ways and exits clear and free of slip, trip and strike-against
hazards.Storage areas should be specifically designated, be clearly marked, and be in
the charge of a responsible employee
3. The size and shape of a stack depends on the storage space available and on the size, shape,
bulk, weight, rigidity or fragility of the articles to be stored

What do I need to hand in for this task? Have I completed this?

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