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1) ACC WorkSafe Cycle Series: Step 1 - Review
This article is a part of a series of articles explaining the steps and activities involved in the ACC WorkSafe Cycle. Last month we covered step 3 - 'Action' and next month we will cover - Commitment. If you would like to review our previous newsletters please visit: https://www.securo.co.nz/newsletters.php
Roadmap to Reducing Injury & Illness in the workplace
ACC WorkSafe Cycle Series - Article 3/5
Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) created the ACC WorkSafe Cycle to promote and assist businesses to implement and to provide a continuous process of improvement concerning Health & Safety in your workplace. The ACC WorkSafe Cycle can be set up and support Health & Safety systems needed to keep workplaces safe.
The three steps to keep you working in a process of continuous improvement are review, plan & action. The action step includes all the key activities of a comprehensive Health & Safety programme. At each step and in each key activity listed under action commitment and communication are essential.
To implement the cycle in your workplace it is ideal to start at step 2: Plan.
At each of the three steps and in each key activity listed under Action, Commitment and Communication are vital.
Reviews are important to assess an organisation's injury prevention performance. They determine the value of your health and safety activities, and provide a basis for the next stages of the WorkSafe cycle - commitment and communication.
We recommend a review to be carried out at least once a year. Your review could include:
- Auditing injury prevention systems and practices
- Monitoring hazard (particularly significant hazard) improvement actions and controls
- Analysing near-miss events, injuries and injury factors.
How you carry out your review will be determined on your workplace and what data is available.
However the processes that are commonly used include:
- Worker consultation - reviews are most effective when they involve workers. Workers can identify safety issues and hazards, and provide feedback on the effectiveness of current health and safety systems and practices. Get worker feedback from:
- Focus groups or meetings
- Surveys
- Staff meetings
- Audit - part of the review process is likely to include an audit against a checklist, audit tool or hazard controls
- Analyse data - if you do not regularly analyse injury and near-hit data you will need to do so as part of the review.
You must review the extent to which systems in the WorkSafe cycle are in place and effective.
Where to get data
- Documentation of health and safety systems - e.g. Health & Safety manual
- Worker views on the effectiveness of systems and practices
- Evidence that these systems are in place and working
- Health and safety committee or forum meeting records
- Minutes of team and management meetings where health and safety is an agenda item
- Legislation and standards, and your performance against them
This article is a part of a series of articles explaining the steps and activities involved in the ACC WorkSafe Cycle. Next month we will be covering - Commitment.
For more information on the ACC WorkSafe Cycle - Step 1: Review, please visit:
http://www.acc.co.nz/preventing-injuries/at-work/health-and-safety-in-the-workplace/acc-worksafe-cycle/PI00069
2) High Visibility Winter Safety Gear
High visibility winter safety gear should be lightweight so other garments can be worn underneath, keep moisture from the skin, dry quickly and be comfortable. If the garments don't live up to expectations, return them and try other manufacturers clothing for a better fit. It is important to be comfortable in your clothing so you can stay focused on the job at hand.
Winter Vests and Jackets If you work outside in the winter months, warmth is just as important as having reflective gear on for safety reasons. Many jackets do a good job at keeping out the wind, but they may not provide the warmth workers need when they spend hours outdoors. Layering clothing helps, but it can also reduce mobility. Look for jackets that have adjustable waists on the inside of the jacket. This can help reduce cold airflow up and under the jacket.
Winter Underclothes Working in a cold climate can have an adverse effect on your health if you aren't wearing the proper undergarments. Thermal underwear and silk underwear are preferred undergarments for outdoor workers.
Winter Shirts Many people who work outside in the winter want shirts that are comfortable and stretchy so they move with you, not against you. Before you buy shirts, check for gusseting at the back and under the arms to ensure they offer plenty of room and allow workers to wear thermal or silk underwear under them.
Head and Hand Gear Since you lose most of your body's heat through the top of your head in the winter, wearing the right headgear is very important. Knit hats are the preferred method of keeping your head warm, and they can be purchased made of highly visible material or sewn on reflective tape. Reflective gloves are also a necessity in many jobs, and keeping your hands warm and dry is important.
3) NEW - New Website Launched for Young Employees
Children and young people will have direct access to simple guidance about their rights and responsibilities when they enter the workforce with the recent launch of the website My First Job. My First Job provides information on common issues young people experience in the workplace - including pay, hours of work, holidays and leave. It also has advice on what to do when things go wrong, including where to seek assistance and how parents can support their child if they have employment problems.
The website was developed so that young people could find the information they need through a medium they are familiar with and in a form they can easily understand. It also recognises that young people need good information about what to expect when taking a job and where they can turn to for advice.
My First Job will be updated regularly so it remains current. Guidance material that is relevant to specific industries or occupations will be added, along with new research about children and young people at work.
My First Job can be found at www.dol.govt.nz/myfirstjob
4) Shiftwork - Managing Fatigue For Small Business
Shift work is one of the leading causes of fatigue. When people are tired they make mistakes and can put themselves and others in danger.
These steps can help small businesses manage shift work:
- involve your employees in decisions about shift work
- work a safe numbers of hours and allow enough recovery time between shifts
- train and educate staff about fatigue management
- provide good supervision of shifts
- ensure that high-risk tasks are carried out at safe times, or under special precautions, and monitor health where staff face significant hazards
- look out for staff who are not coping (in both the short and the long term)
- assume that your arrangements, including your roster, will never be perfected, so evaluate them from time to time
Night Work Working at night has a greater impact than working the same number of hours in the daytime. On average shift workers lose 1-1.5 hours of sleep for each 24 hour period. This builds up a sleep debt of six hours after four nights. So working more than 3 or 4 nights shifts in a row is likely to cause a significant sleep debt. At least 2 consecutive full night's sleep with a normal day between is recommended in each week. Fatigue leads to human errors. Studies of error rates and productivity in round-the-clock industries show poorest performance on the night shift.
Recovery The only way to recover from fatigue is to get adequate sleep. The average amount of sleep needed to be healthy and alert is between seven and nine hours a night.
For more information go to: http://www.osh.govt.nz/publications/booklets/shiftwork-fatigue2007/smallbusiness.shtml
5) Latest Department of Labour Hazard Alerts / Hazard Management Bulletins
- (previously known as Incident / Bulletins / Accident Alerts)
for more details see DoL website: http://www.osh.govt.nz/order/catalogue/522.shtml
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No #
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Date
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Descriptive Title
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64
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April 2010
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A member of the public was burned when her recently-filled LPG cylinder ignited when she lit her barbeque.
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65
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April 2010
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Two incidents have occurred where employees were severely injured by burning diesel. In both incidents, workers were engulfed in flames when they added diesel to fires in a drum.
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6) That's Got to Hurt!
Each issue we feature a safety related photo. Just for fun we'd like to receive your ideas for an appropriate caption. We will publish the best caption received in the next issue. Good luck!
Please send your captions to us here. Re: That's Got to Hurt, or fax them to 09 307 3360
Previous Month's Photo:
Winning Caption:
'There's no guard rail on this roof, that's dangerous!'
-Adam Hall
Transmark Fcx
This Month's Photo:
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