Other workplace hazards
Fire
If there is a risk of fire in the workplace, know what to do in an emergency and ensure that safety and prevention measures are in place.
Ways to control hazards
- Ensure workers are trained in emergency procedures.
- Make sure all workers know where fire fighting equipment is stored and be trained in its use, e.g. fire blankets and fire extinguishers
- Check that the evacuation plan includes procedures to provide prompt treatment for burns and smoke inhalation.
- Maintain electrical equipment.
- Implement an evacuation plan and train employees in fire safety procedures.
- Dispose of rubbish that may pose a fire hazard.
Talk to your local fire station for more advice.
Sharps
‘Sharps’ refer to any object that can pierce or penetrate the skin easily. They include broken glass and needles. Workers may be required to:
- dispose of used needles that are found in toilets or car parks; or
- clean up broken glass that has been contaminated with blood.
Ways to control hazards
- Train staff in sharps handling and follow safe working practices (for example, wrap broken items in newspaper before disposal).
- Implement an incident reporting system.
- Be vaccinated (if necessary).
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment or a sharps kit containing gloves, tongs and a puncture resistant container.
- Sell drinks in plastic, cardboard or metal containers only.
Employers should also provide information and training on:
- preventative infection control practices and procedures e.g. safe handling and personal hygiene;
- correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE);
- management of exposure to blood of body fluids;
- management of a skin penetrating injury; and
- accident reporting, recording and investigation.
Find out more on skin penetrating injuries.
Violence
Thieves or dissatisfied customers pose a threat to most workers, regardless of the industry in which they work.
Ways to control hazards
- Implement guidelines for dealing with aggressive customers, and follow security-aware work practices (for example, safe opening and closing procedures).
- Minimise visibility of a cash drawer.
- Open the cash drawer only when necessary.
- Count cash in a secure room.
- Install a safe, or use a professional cash collection service.
- Ensure that the point of sale operator has a clear view of the entrance.
- Provide security lighting at the entrance.
- Install window locks and a video surveillance camera.
- Reduce background noise wherever possible.
- Ensure workers are trained in security issues, including how to detect imminent aggression and how to defuse potentially violent situations.
- Provide a confidential means for workers to report violence.
- Provide access to support services for workers involved in a violent incident.
Fatigue
Fatigue is caused by prolonged periods of physical and/or mental exertion without enough time to rest and recover. The level of fatigue varies, and depends on the following:
- Workload
- Length of the shift
- Previous hours and days worked
- Time of day or night worked
Fatigue is associated with the following:
- Spending long periods of time awake;
- Obtaining an inadequate amount of sleep over an extended period; and
- Obtaining an insufficient quality of sleep over an extended period.
Fatigue significantly affects a person’s ability to function and the effects of fatigue include decreasing performance and productivity, and increasing the potential for incidents and injuries to occur.
Read more about the effects of fatigue and ways to control the risk associated.
Last updated July 13, 2005
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