Learning Objectives
5 objectives- Understand fundamental health and safety principles, legislation, and guidelines relevant to diverse workplaces.
- Identify and evaluate various occupational hazards and risks, and apply appropriate control measures.
- Develop skills to conduct risk assessments and implement effective risk management strategies.
- Demonstrate knowledge of personal protective equipment (PPE) selection, usage, and maintenance.
- Formulate emergency preparedness and response strategies and understand roles during workplace emergencies.
Content Outline
PreviewUnit 519: Health and Safety in the Workplace
1. Introduction to Health and Safety
- Overview of health and safety principles
- Relevant legislation and regulations (e.g., OSHA, local laws)
- Workplace health and safety guidelines and standards
- Roles and responsibilities of employers and employees
2. Occupational Hazards and Risks
- Types of hazards:
- Physical hazards (noise, vibration, temperature extremes)
- Chemical hazards (toxic substances, flammable materials)
- Biological hazards (viruses, bacteria, fungi)
- Ergonomic hazards (repetitive strain, poor posture)
- Identification and examples of hazards in different industries
3. Risk Assessment and Management
- Definition and purpose of risk assessments
- Steps in conducting a risk assessment:
- Hazard identification
- Risk evaluation (likelihood and severity)
- Determining risk level
- Control measures hierarchy:
- Elimination
- Substitution
- Engineering controls
- Administrative controls
- Personal protective equipment
- Monitoring and reviewing risk controls
4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Importance of PPE in workplace safety
- Types of PPE:
- Head protection (helmets, hard hats)
- Eye and face protection (goggles, face shields)
- Hearing protection (earplugs, earmuffs)
- Respiratory protection (masks, respirators)
- Hand and arm protection (gloves)
- Foot protection (safety boots)
- Selection criteria for PPE
- Proper use, maintenance, and storage of PPE
5. Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Importance of emergency preparedness plans
- Common workplace emergencies:
- Fires
- Chemical spills
- Medical emergencies
- Natural disasters
- Emergency response procedures and protocols
- Roles and responsibilities of employees during emergencies
- Communication and evacuation plans
6. Workplace Ergonomics
- Introduction to ergonomic principles
- Common ergonomic risks and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
- Designing safe and comfortable workstations
- Safe lifting and material handling techniques
- Promoting employee well-being and productivity
7. Health and Safety Training
- Importance of ongoing health and safety training
- Training topics:
- Hazard communication
- First aid procedures
- Fire safety and evacuation drills
- Workplace ergonomics
- Methods for effective training delivery
8. Incident Investigation and Reporting
- Purpose of incident investigations
- Types of incidents: accidents, near misses, hazardous exposures
- Steps in conducting investigations:
- Data collection
- Root cause analysis
- Recommendations and corrective actions
- Importance of accurate and timely reporting
- Documentation and record keeping
9. Health and Safety Committees
- Role and functions of health and safety committees
- Composition and structure
- Facilitating communication between management and employees
- Addressing health and safety concerns and promoting initiatives
- Monitoring and improving workplace safety culture
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