Fire Extenguisher

Fire extinguishers are colour coded according to their contents and purpose.  It is important  to use the right type of extinguisher on a fire. If  the wrong type is used, the fire may be spread even further.  

 

The most common types of extinguishers are:

·       Water

Solid red Suitable for Class A fires, Not considered effective for Class B and Class C fires, and dangerous if used for electrically energised equipment or cooking oils or fats.

·       Foam

Red with blue band or label (previously solid blue) Suitable for Class A and Class B fires, with limited effectiveness for Class F fires. Not considered effective for Class C fires, and dangerous if used for electrically energised equipment.

·       Powder

Red with a white band or label These extinguishers are rated as either ABE or BE. ABE rated extinguishers are considered suitable for Class A, Class B

·       Class C and Class E fires

They are not considered effective for Class F fires. BE rated extinguishers are considered suitable for Class B

·       Class C and Class E fires

Used with limited effectiveness on Class F fires, They are considered effective for Class A fires.

Week Six - Good Housekeeping

Work area should be maintained in a clean, orderly and organised way

Follow safework procedures 

• Plan storage systems or tasks
• Store tools, equipment and personal protective equipment properly
• Store items upright (bottels)
• Use bins, racks, pallets
• Place heavier item on lower shelves
• Follow manufacturer's storage instructions

TYPE OF HAZARDS

 1. Cleaning 

Cleaning as hazard

• Manual handling injuries    
• Slip, trips and falls on wet or cluttered floors
• Electrical equipment
• Hazardous substances used in cleaning
• Distributing hazardous during cleaning
• Discarded sharp objects and glass

Cleaning to prevent hazard

• dispose of rubbish appropriately
• Bags or piles of rubbish may contain glass, burning ashes, oil-soaked rags, scrap paper
• Keep stairways,platforms,floors fire exits free of rubbish and other clutter
• Move loose rubbish to one place so it is easily transferable to a rubbish bin
• Dispose of rubbish in accordance with good environmental practice-penalties for breach of environmental laws are heavy.       

   

           2. NOISE

 Workgroup safety procedures       

• Use personal hearing protectors if provided for a specific purpose                                             
• minimise the duration of your exposure to noise
• Use bins, racks, pallets
• Report defects in noise control equipment or personal hearing protectors to a supervisor 

3. SECURITY

 Workgroup safety procedures

• Training in cash handling procedures
• Training in emergency-preparedness procedures and operation of security devices
• Maintaining confidentiality regarding security procedures and security devices
• Training in identification of suspicious behaviour and body language
• Training in how to behave during an armed hold-up

Personal Threats 

1. Workplace violence    
2. Workplace bullying
3. Sexual harassment
4. Racial abuse

Workgroup safety procedures

• Keep your rights and how far others can go
• Report any incidence of sexual harassement, racism, bullying or workplace violence immediately. Action must be taken by the employer
• know who to report to (usually the supervisor or OHS representative)
• know you can remove yourself from the workplace- on full pay -if threatened or otherwise at risk

Week Five - Managing Stress

Stress

Is to feel tense, uncomfortable, under pressure and anxious.

Symptoms of excessive stress

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
•  Skin rashers and pimples
•       Tension
• Irritability
• Tremors
• Aggression
• Reduced appetite
• Indigestion depression
• Weight loss or overeating
• Dizziness
• Poor memory
• Insomnia
• Irregular bowel movements
• Inability to concentrate
• Indecisiveness

Causes of stress in the workplace

• Workoverload and long hours
• Responsibiity
• Fear of redundancy
• Bullying
• Dealing with the public           
• Harassment
• Performance-related pay conditions
• Lackof control over work
• Interruptions
• Not expressing yourself / having no say in decision-making
• Not understanding/agreeing with management decisions
• Poor or inadequate training
• Lack of constructie feedback on performance
• Inadequate staffing levels
• Feeling that tasks are too complex, boring or repetitive
• Shift work, overtime
• Conflicts with managers and / or other workers

Hazardous substances

What are hazardous substances?

Hazardous substances are those that, following worker exposure, can have an adverse effect on health. Examples of hazardous   substances include poisons, substances that cause burns or skin and eye irritation, and substances that may cause cancer.


Many hazardous substances are also classed as dangerous goods.

Type of Hazardous substances

Class 1 - Explosives
Class 2 - Gases

• Class 2.1 -Flammable gases

• Class 2.2 -Non -Flammable, non-toxic gases          
• Class 2.3 -Toxic gases

Class 3 Flammable liquids

• Class 3 PG I
• Class 3 PG II
• Class 3 PG III

Class 4 - Flammable solids
Class 5 - Oxidizers
Class 6 - toxic and infectious substances
Class 7 - Radioactive substances
Class 8 - Corrosives
Class 9 - miscellaneous dangerous goods

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS,) also referred to as a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), is a document that describes the chemical and physical properties of a material and provides advice on its safe storage, handling and use.  
It includes details of health and physicochemical hazards, exposure controls, personal protective equipment, safe handling and storage instructions, emergency procedures and disposal advice.

MSDS are prepared in accordance with the MSDS Code of Practice and include the following information: 

• Australian contact details – name of supplier, address and telephone number, including emergency contact details

• Classification in accordance with the Australian hazardous substance and dangerous goods regulatory framework
• Ingredients, disclosed in accordance with Australian, State and Territory government legislation
• National exposure standard values if available, and
• Relevant additional Australian regulatory information.

Week Four - Manual Handling

Correct Lifting Procedure

1. Place where the load is to be put is clear of obstructions

2. Stand close to the load with feet apart to balanced stable base for lifting

3. Don't bend your back. Bend knees only

4. Firm grip and move the load close to your body

5. Do not jerk the load -lift it smoothly

6. keep your arms and load close to your body when turning use your feet rather than twisting

Manual Handling Techniques

1.  keep your back straight


2. Avoid pulling a load


3. Rearrange your work station


4. Caution of reaching down and behind


5. Very your task as much as possible

Week Three - Fire safety and Emergencies

Classes of Fire

Class A  Common Combustibles   

• Paper
• Wood     
• Textiles
• Plastics

Class B  Flammable and combustible liquids

• Oil
• Petrol
• Alcohol
• Paints and paint thinners      
• Solvents

Class C  Flammable gases

• LPG - liquid petroleum gas
• Butane
• Acetylene
• Hydrogen          
• Natural gas
• Methane

Class D  Combustible metals

• Potassium
• Lithium                                                
• Aluminium        
• Magnesium

Class E  Electrically energised equipment

• Motor
• Generators        
• Computers
• Lights               
• Plugs
• Switches/cables

Class F  Cooking oils and fats
  Often in kitchen area            

Safety signs and colour at work -week2

Safety signs

 are used to:

• Draw attention to health and safety hazards
• Point out hazards that may not be obvious
• Provide general information and directions
• Remind employees where personal protective equipment must be worn
• Show where emergency equipment is located
• Indicate where certain actions are prohibited

Sign Categories

1. Mandatory Action     -  Blue      Circle  

	Refer to Instruction	Wear Ear Protection	Wear Eye Protection
	Wear Opaque Eye Protection	Wear Safety Footwear	Wear Protective Gloves
	Use Handrail	Wear Face Shield	Wear Head Protection

2. Prohibition  -- Red and white  Circle

Prohibition Sign		No Open Flames
No Access for Industrial Vehicles		No Metallic Articles or Watches
No Activated Mobile Phones		No Reaching In

3. Emergency Treatment -- Green or Red Square or rectangular

Respiratory Protection Sign	Protective Eyewear Sign	Eye Protection Required Sign
Protective Clothing Sign	Protective Footwear Sign	Gloves Required Symbol

4. Caution (warning)    --  Yelllow     Triangular (Triangle)

General Warning Sign	Explosive Material	Radioactive material
Magnetic Field	Warning Obstacles	Drop (Fall)
Slippery Surface	Electricity	Guard Dog