Question

Research and describe 2 (two) workplace procedures for hazard identification in a healthcare setting (in 50-70 words).

Answer 1

The four steps for managing WHS risks are:
Step 1 - Identify hazards. Find out what could cause harm.
Step 2 - Assess risks.
Step 3 - Control risks.
Step 4 - Review control measures.
The effective systematic management of risks improves worker health and safety, as well as productivity.

Eliminating and controlling risks in the workplace helps to: prevent and reduce the number and severity of workplace injuries, illnesses and associated costs.Promote and improve worker health, wellbeing and capacity to work, and helps to foster innovation and improve quality and productivity of work.The model WHS laws require duty holders to manage WHSrisks in the workplace.Duty holders include: PCBUs,designers, manufacturers, importers, suppliers and installers of plant, substances or structures, and officers.Workers and other persons at the workplace also have duties under the model WHS laws, such as the duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety at the workplace.A person can have more than one duty and more than one person can have the same duty at the same time.management is a proactive process that helps you respond to change and facilitate continuous improvement in your business.It should be planned, systematic and cover all reasonably foreseeable hazards and associated risks.The four steps for managing WHS risks are:

Step 1 - Identify hazards

Find out what could cause harm.

Step 2 - Assess risks

If necessary – understand the nature of the harm that could be caused by the hazard, how serious the harm could be and the likelihood of it happening.This step may not be necessary if you are dealing with a known risk, with known controls.

Step 3 - Control risks

Implement the most effective control measure that is reasonably practicable in the circumstances and ensure that it remains effective over time.Specific information about the hierarchy of control measures and developing and implementing control measures .

Step 4 - Review control measures

Review the control measures to ensure they are working as planned.

Deciding what is reasonably practicable to protect people from harm requires taking into account and considering all the relevant matters, including: the likelihood of the hazard or risk occurring.The degree of harm that might result from the hazard or risk.Knowledge about the hazard or risk, and ways of minimising or eliminating the risk.The availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or minimise the risk, and after assessing the extent of the risk and the available ways of eliminating or minimising the risk, the cost associated with available ways of eliminating or minimising the risk, including whether the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk.