Safe work procedures are essential guidelines detailing the safe execution of tasks, particularly those involving hazards within your workplace. These procedures meticulously outline identified risks and provide clear directives on eliminating or minimising these risks. For instance, you might establish procedures for cash handling or the proper disposal of hot oil.
Importance of Recognising Tasks Requiring Safety Procedures in the Workplace
Recognising tasks demanding stringent safety measures is essential across various industries. Whether it involves handling hazardous materials, waste management, or responding to emergencies, certain activities warrant well-defined safe work procedures.
Covering a range of potential hazards, these procedures, applicable to diverse workplaces, should be prominently displayed for easy access. Supervisors and managers can utilise them to effectively train workers, fostering a culture of safety and adherence to established guidelines.
In short, these written procedures play a pivotal role in mitigating and managing risks associated with various hazardous tasks in any work environment.
However, the effectiveness of occupational safety procedures within organisations is gauged by their consistent adherence. Consequently, providing employees with the requisite knowledge, skills, and tools becomes paramount in averting potential hazards.
In formulating workplace safety procedures, a comprehensive risk assessment across various potential risks is imperative.
Various unsafe conditions can be categorised into distinct types, each demanding specific safety procedures:
1) Physical Hazards:
Environmental factors like pressure, radiation, noise, and height can harm employees without direct contact.
2) Safety Hazards:
Exposed wires, electrical dangers, and objects causing injuries through contact fall under safety hazards.
3) Ergonomic Hazards:
Physical factors, such as repetitive movements, uncomfortable seating, and poorly arranged workstations, can harm employees’ musculoskeletal systems.
4) Chemical Hazards:
Threats from hazardous substances can lead to severe injuries or health risks, including skin irritation, blindness, respiratory issues, corrosion, and explosions.
5) Biological Hazards:
Animals, insects, bacteria, viruses, and environmental elements like mould, bodily fluids, dust, vermin, sewage, and harmful plants pose risks to employee health.
6) Psychological Hazards:
Workplace violence, stress, victimization, and sexual harassment are examples of hazards affecting employees’ mental well-being.
When developing safety procedures, it’s crucial to address each of these categories comprehensively. Neglecting any can compromise employee well-being and expose the organisation to both custodial and financial penalties.
Steps to Write a Safe Work Procedure
The creation of a written safe work procedure for a hazardous task involves four key steps:
1) Identify the specific task requiring a safe work procedure.
2) Break down the task into its fundamental steps.
3) Recognise hazards linked to each step and determine methods for mitigating risks to workers.
4) Document the safe work procedure, outlining the actions workers must follow during task execution.
Example – Safe Work Procedure for Cleaning a Deep Fat Fryer
Illustrated below is an example detailing the process of developing a safe work procedure for a prevalent hazardous kitchen activity—cleaning a deep fat fryer.
Defining the overarching task as “Draining the oil from the deep fat fryer and transferring it into the oil dump drum for disposal.”
We have deconstructed the task into fundamental steps:
1)Draining the oil from the deep fat fryer into a container.
2) Transporting the oil through the kitchen and out to the oil dump drum.
3) Transferring the oil from the container into the oil dump drum.
4) Identify potential hazards and methods to control associated risks.
a) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Wear the prescribed personal protective equipment throughout the process:
- Goggles and face shield
- Elbow-length rubberized gloves
- Rubberized apron covering lower legs.
- Non-slip, closed-toed shoes.
b) Draining Hot Oil
Draining hot oil from the deep fat fryer into a container:
- Allow the oil to cool adequately by turning off the fryer three hours in advance.
- Utilise the designated metal container labelled ‘For hot oil use’ with a metal lid, base handle, and fitted clasps.
- Ensure the container is dry.
- Connect a hose to the fryer’s drain spout and carefully direct the oil into the container.
c) Transporting Oil
i) Transporting oil through the kitchen and to the oil dump drum:
1) Clear aisles and pathways of tripping hazards, ensuring the outdoor path is non-slippery.
2) Verify proper closure of the container.
3) Use a dolly for secure container movement.
ii) Transferring oil from the container to the oil dump drum:
1) Confirm the correct adjustment of personal protective equipment to guard against spills or splashes.
2) Hold the base handle of the container while pouring the oil into the drum.
When does an Organisation Require a Written Workplace Procedure?
Not every task mandates a documented safe work procedure. Verbal safety instructions during worker training might suffice.
To determine the need for a written procedure, assess factors such as the potential severity of accidents, task frequency, and complexity. In short, written safe work procedures are essential for hazardous, complex, frequently performed, and less routine tasks requiring reminders about hazards and risk control measures.
In the hospitality industry, specific tasks necessitating written safe work procedures include:
- Disposing of hot oil
- Handling garbage
- Cleaning up blood and body fluids
- Cleaning bathrooms, ovens, or swimming pools
- Turning mattresses
It’s advisable to develop procedures for identified hazards, including:
- Locking out equipment
- Preventing workplace violence
- Working alone or in isolation
- Cleaning up chemical spills
- Cleaning up biological materials
- Conducting an emergency evacuation
Prominently showcase these procedures at task locations, facilitating supervisors and managers in training workers for secure task execution, with workers taking accountability for compliance. The adoption of documented safe work procedures plays a pivotal role in mitigating risks linked to hazardous tasks.
Forklift Accidents in Australia
Forklifts play a crucial role in lifting, stacking, and transferring loads in various workplaces in Australia, NSW and across the world. Despite their utility, forklift operation remains a high-risk activity that has contributed to workplace fatalities and injuries.
In the period from 2017 to 2022, NSW documented 1,538 incidents related to forklifts.
In the year 2022, WorkSafe processed 142 claims related to injuries caused by forklift incidents. Notably, the transport, postal, and warehousing sectors reported the highest number of claims at 45, followed by manufacturing with 35 claims and wholesale trade with 32.
Safety Procedures in the Workplace to Prevent Forklift Accidents
Prioritise forklift safety by adhering to simple yet impactful measures:
- Observe speed limits, and stop signs, and use horns at intersections.
- Wear properly fitted seat belts.
- Ensure well-trained employees, regular machinery maintenance, and an effective traffic management plan.
1) Operate a Forklift Responsibly:
- Only operate with a high-risk work license or authorized trainee status.
- Avoid fatigue when operating.
- Adhere to safety practices, including seatbelt usage, based on risk assessments.
- Utilize forklifts for their intended purposes, following manufacturer specifications.
2) Safely Load and Transport Materials:
- Verify loads within the forklift’s rated capacity.
- Carry loads close to the ground and secure against the truck carriage or backrest.
- Drive with care, indicating intentions, maintaining a safe distance, and obeying speed limits.
3) Uphold Safety on Inclines:
- Ensure load and forks face forward when driving up an incline.
- Tilt the mast back and raise forks for load safety.
- Drive in reverse when descending an incline, with forks facing upward.
- Remove the starter-switch key when leaving the forklift, ensuring proper controls and safety measures.
4) Remain Cautious of the Work Environment:
- Exercise care on wet or slippery surfaces, especially near pedestrians.
- Avoid contact between the forklift and individuals or objects.
- Never obstruct doorways, entrances, or emergency exits with the forklift.
- Check for overhead obstructions, loading docks, and other mobile plant considerations.
5) Implement Diligent Forklift Maintenance:
- Regularly inspect and maintain forklifts following manufacturer instructions.
- Use qualified inspectors, repairers, and gas fitters for specific components.
- Keep detailed records of inspections, services, repairs, and modifications.
- Establish a procedure for dealing with unsafe or damaged forklifts, including isolation, tagging, and reporting.
- Maintain a clean forklift for easier detection of worn or defective parts, using water for cleaning.
- Adhere to maintenance procedures for components like the spark arrestor tank on diesel forklifts.
Forklift Safety Checklist
Tasks to incorporate into forklift safety checklists encompass:
1) Check for leaks and detect any visible defects.
2) Verify the functionality of the load backrest extension.
3) Inspect hydraulic hoses and mast chains for any issues.
4) Ensure proper functioning of finger guards.
5) Clear debris from the manual compartment.
6) Confirm that operators are wearing hard hats.
7) Examine fluid levels, encompassing brake, hydraulic, and transmission fluids.
8) Verify the functionality of the seat belt.
9) Test steering controls and brakes for optimal performance.
10) Evaluate the overall condition of the forklift, giving attention to tire pressure.
Additionally, each forklift is accompanied by manufacturer recommendations for model-specific inspections and maintenance. Adhering to suggested preventive maintenance (PM) practices is vital to keep vehicles in peak condition. Lastly, operators should distribute materials evenly to prevent the risk of forklift overturning.
So, these were two examples, we had shared to help businesses.
Anitech’s experienced consultants can help organisations identify hazards and write safety procedures for other key hazards that require immediate or robust safety procedures. We will also train your employees to write documented procedures.
To talk to our experts, call us today at 1300 802 163 or e-mail – sales@anitechgroup.com
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