Week 6

6 September, 2011

This morning's lesson started off with an emergency scenario quick question and answer exercise. It was entitled "The emergency you don't want to have..".

We had the opportunity to answer five short questions and then discuss our answers with the group. We discussed emergency evacuation procedures and responses to hazards and risks.

We also recieved a colour CPR (Cardio Pulminory Resusitation) Chart issued by the Ambulance Service of New South Wales.

After the discussion took place, the class had the opportunity to assess the TAFE Library as part of
"Implement workplace health, safety and security procedures" assessment 1. The weighting of the assessment is 20% of the overall grade for the subject. Class members evaluated the Library and used a checklist to identify existing or potential risks and hazards.

We also learned about managing stress. Research shows that a certain amount of stress is a good thing, but feeling "stressed out" isn't.

Symptoms of excessive stress include: headache, fatigue, anxiety, skin rashes and pimples, tension, irritability, tremors, aggression, reduced appetite, indigestion, depression, weight loss or overeating, dizziness, poor memory, insomnia, irregular bowel movements, inability to concentrate and indecisiveness.

There are several causes of stress in the workplace which can attribute to stress. We discussed effective self-help remedies as well.

 

For homework we read about:

Good Housekeeping:

Work areas should be maintained in a clean, orderly and organised way. Work area inspection should include the condition of the work area. This includes cleaning as a hazard and storage hazards.

Noise:

Noise is a hazard in many workplaces and should not be treated simply as an environmental nuisance. Exposure to excessive or prolonged noise causes irreversible deafness or hearing impairment by physically damaging the inner ear.

We discussed noise in the workplace in class. We learned that noise is measured in decibels. The following chart shows differing levels of noise:

Security:

Workplaces where cash is handled are at the risk of robbery. The employer's duty of care extends to taking all reasonable steps to minimize the risk of armed hold-up and to support victims through any resulting psychological trauma caused by such an event. 

Personal Threats:

Personal threats can arise from members of the public or fellow workers. It is the responsibility of every employer to ensure that personal threats of any kind are not tolerated in the workplace.

Sexual Harassment: 

Sexual harassment is any uninvited or unwanted sexual behaviour directed at a person that is found offensive, embarrassing, intimidating, humiliating, or unwelcome.