BIOL1070/2149/2303/2326 (AB700) ASSIGNMENT 4-2

RMIT

SCHOOL OF APPLIED SCIENCES

BIOL1070/2149/2303/2326 (AB700) RESEARCH METHODS

Assignment

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4-2. OHS requirements / 10
Date due: week 11 of semester

Undertake an OHS environmental audit of the main workplace used in your research to assess its compliance with the various codes and regulations governing it and its efficacy in dealing with the flow of workplace activities, using images to convey the workplace and RMIT Safety Suite forms to report on the audit.

It is essential that those working in hazardous areas understand and implement Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) regulations in their workplace. This encompasses several aspects, such as the safe handling, storage and labelling of dangerous goods and equipment. Workers must be inducted into the hazards they are likely to face before commencing work, or the employer is liable under WorkCover or equivalent regulations. There are many codes of practice under a variety of regulations (see reference list, External links and PowerPoint presentation in this module).

Save your assignment as Windows XP-compatible (the RMIT standard system). Submit your assignment by the date indicated as follows, by uploading it into this assignment link. Please note that Firefox will not work with this link and so you should use Internet Explorer instead. If you have problems using the link, upload it into the Digital Drop Box instead; do not email it as it will not be accepted.

How to proceed

1. Stand at various viewpoints in your work area and record digital images to show 360-degree views. Take close-ups of any hazards or controls that you find.

  • Hazards are situations inherently unsafe, e.g. unstable or awkward access, incompatible chemicals close by.
  • Controls are attempts to minimise hazards, e.g. signs to warn of dangers, containment for dangerous chemicals.

Among others, you need to consider:

  • regulations governing the activities in your workplace(s)
  • how local implementation procedures allow the workplace to comply with the regulations
  • how that implementation is checked periodically
  • access by personnel to essential biohazard information
  • signage and warning systems for hazards
  • ordering procedures and controls
  • storage and inventories of dangerous goods
  • procedures (written SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)) and those practised
  • usage, reporting and disposal for dangerous goods and equipment
  • responsibilities (statutory, managerial and delegated), including OHS committees.

2. Complete the following audit forms:

  • General laboratory safety:
  • Chemical safety:
  • Electrical safety:

3. Report hazards in a tabular format as in the table below.

See Appendix 1 for the key to the terms used. This table and the material following it comes from Dr Neale Jackson.

Hazard / Problem / Consequence / Likelihood / Risk / Control / Person responsible
Water spilt on floor / Slipping hazard / 3 (Moderate irreversible disability) / B (Likely) / High / Elimination (mop up the spill)
Food found on bench left by student / Potential poisoning if consumed / 4 (Single fatality and/or severe irreversible disability) / C (Possible) / High / Elimination (dispose of food in bin)
Unlabeled chemical bottle (500ml) found on bench / Cannot recognise what is in container, therefore cannot be used in experiment / 3 (Moderate irreversible disability) if used in chemical expt
Possibly 4 / D (Unlikely) / Medium / Elimination (user to label bottle correctly)
Conc. H2SO4 on bench / Potential corrosion, burns, inhalation / 3 (Moderate irreversible disability) / C (Possible) / High / Isolation/Engineering controls + Personal protective equipment (use in operating fume cupboard + wear PPE)

As well as those shown in the reference list, you should also consider any special procedures required for registration with, e.g. NATA, AQIS or equivalent.

Does your workplace comply with all it should? If not,

  • what is needed to rectify the situation
  • who is responsible for doing it?

Appendix 1. Risk assessment terms

Risk Assessment

Establish the risk, then compare the level of risk with previously established risk criteria identified within the risk context – e.g. OHS Regulations, Codes, etc. The output is a prioritised list of risks for further action. Risks falling into the ‘Low” category may be acceptable with minimal further treatment. However, these should still be monitored and periodically reviewed to ensure that they remain acceptable.

Risk Assessment – Level of Risk (FROM HB436)

Consequences

Likelihood / I / II / III / IV / V
A / M / H / H / VH / VERY HIGH
B / M / M / H / H / VH
C / LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH / H / H
D / L / L / M / M / H
E / L / L / M / M / H

Risk Assessment – Consequence terms

Qualitative analysis: uses descriptive scales to describe magnitude, e.g. HB436.

Severity Level / Health & Safety / Legal
1 / No medical treatment required / Minor legal issues, non compliances and breaches
2 / Objective but reversible disability requiring hospitalisation / Minor legal issues, non compliances and breaches
3 / Moderate irreversible disability or impairment (<30%) to one or more persons / Serious breach of regulations with investigation to authority with moderate fine possible
4 / Single fatality and/or severe irreversible disability (>30%) to one or more persons / Major breach of regulation, major litigation
5 / Multiple fatalities, or single irreversible effects to >50 persons / Significant prosecution, fines. V. serious litigation / class action.

Risk Assessment– Likelihood terms

Likelihood: uses descriptive scales to describe likelihood, e.g. HB436.

Level / Descriptor / Description / Frequency (~)
A / Almost certain / The event will occur on annual basis / Once/year or more frequent
B / Likely / Event has occurred several times in career / Once / 3 years
C / Possible / Event might occur once in career / Once / 10 years
D / Unlikely / The event does occur from time to time / Once / 30 years
E / Rare / Heard of this happening elsewhere / Once / 100 years
F / V. rare / Have never heard of this happening / Once / 1000 years

Risk Control

OHS Risks have to be treated using the Hierarchy of Control

  • Elimination
  • Substitution
  • Isolation/Engineering Controls
  • Administrative controls
  • Personal Protective Equipment

Hierarchy of control required by OHS regulations in all Australian jurisdictions; these are also known as “safety decision “ hierarchy. Refer also to the AS/NZS 4804:2001 “OHS management system – General guidelines on principles, systems and supporting techniques”.

3 October 20181 OF 4ACL