HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety

Assessment

Assignment

Assignments may include short answer questions or longer answer questions and are designed to test how you apply your knowledge into a real-world situation.Your assessor is looking for how you apply your knowledge and how you think critically about the topic area.An important aspect of Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) understands how it applies to your specific workplace and the roles of workers there.All responses should be at least between 50 and 100 words (4-8 sentences) in length.

Task 1

The following questions must be answered within the context of your current workplace or the workplace you intend to work within in your chosen industry.Anytime “your workplace” or “your role” is referenced, it is to be contextualised to working within your current workplace or your intended workplace.

Question 1.1

Take some time to think about safe work and how it relates to your workplace and your role within the industry.Outline steps that you could take to ensure your own health and safety within your job role.

Question 1.2

Outline the processes or activities that can be undertaken to ensure that the general public or clients are not exposed to hazards or risks within your workplace.

•Identify at least three.

•Outline how they are performed.

•Outline why they are important.

Question 1.3

Name four workplace hazards relevant to your work role and controls that can be put into place for each hazard.

Question 1.4

•List at least five ways in which information on safe work practices and procedures can be shared with members of a work group.

•Identify which you think are the most effective, and explain why.

Question 1.5

•Summarise in your own words why it is important for the WHS practices of less experienced workers to be checked by more experienced workers.

•How can you contribute to the development and implementation of safe workplace policies and procedures when undertaking your own work?

Question 1.6

Reflect on your own levels of stress and fatigue.Identify what methods of control you can undertake to reduce or eliminate these hazardsat the workplace for yourself and others.

Question 1.7

Emergencies can happen at any time.

•Explain in five steps the procedure for an emergency situation in your or a simulated workplace.

•Explain proactive measures that could be undertaken to avoid emergency situations.

Question 1.8

List at least five safety signs that you could come across in your workplace. These could include those on emergency equipment, PPE, or industry-specific hazards.

Question 1.9

Briefly outline the roles and responsibilities of Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) and Health and Safety committees (HSCs) in relation to WHS.

Question 1.10

Briefly outline the legal responsibilities of workers in relation to WHS.

Task 2

In the following scenario, you will be presented with a selection of observations from a person going about their role in the workplace of a multi-modality health clinic. You are to read across the worker’s observations and answer the questions at the end. These will examine what the worker should have done reactively within that situation and proactive steps that the worker could take in order to improve future workplace safety.

Case Study

Wendy is an experienced worker. During one particular day, the following things happen:

a)Wendy observes a new person, Mandy, using cleaning products. Mandy is not wearing gloves even though Wendy knows that Mandy has had induction training, which includes wearing PPE whenever using cleaning solvents in the workplace.

b)Wendy sees a client walk into reception and trip on the edge of a rug that is worn and lifted up. Wendy has noticed the worn rug before.

c)Wendy sees Tracey, who is another experienced worker, standing on a chair whilst trying to open a window up high. The window is stuck, so Tracey is pulling on it quite hard.

d)Wendy has her handbag on the floor beside her desk. Tracey comes in to talk to her and as she walks around Wendy’s desk, she trips on Wendy's bag. Wendy apologises, picks it up, and puts it on the shelf.

Question 2.1

Pick one of the observations of another worker, and outline what advice Wendy should give to this co-worker. Identify the following information:

•When she should have provided advice

•Her role in providing the advice

•The manner in which the advice should be provided

•Any further steps she could have taken

•And then write out a sample dialogue of the advice provided.

(approximately 100 words).

Question 2.2

What steps should Wendy take after observing the client tripping on the rug?What process of risk management could be taken with the rug?

Question 2.3

Based on Wendy's observations, does it sound like her workplace has adequate WHS policies, procedures, and training?Where would she go to confirm this information?

Question 2.4

What further steps should Wendy investigate for the workplace?Points to consider when writing the answer include:

•Keeping up to date with WHS issues

•Reliable sources of WHS information

•Roles and responsibilities of HSRs & HSCs

•Addressing WHS at a systemic level in a workplace

Write your thoughts.