Whs Chpt 5.pdf

WORK HEALTH, SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY Key topics • Legislation • Safe systems of work • Work incidents • Health and safety records • Sustainable work practices • Environmentally friendly practices

Health, safety and the environment are critical aspects of business management. Billions of dollars are spent by Australian businesses annually to promote work health and safety, with a view to reducing the potential for harm to employees. Work injury, fatal accidents and work-caused illness can have a devastating impact on individuals, their families and the organisations they belong to, resulting in low staff morale, disruptions and loss of business. To minimise these issues, businesses must comply with legislation, develop and train employees in risk management and emergency procedures, maintain a healthy workplace and keep accurate records. With the media spotlight on carbon pollution and the demands of customers, organisations are looking for ways to expand environmentally sustainable work practices to reduce their carbon footprints and promote their business as ‘green’.

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ISBN: 9781107688056 © Rasmussen, Mylonas, Beck 2012 Cambridge University Press Photocopying is restricted under law and this material must not be transferred to another party.

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LEGISLATION Queensland Work Health and Safety is part of the Office of Fair and Safe Work Queensland within the Department of Justice and Attorney-General. Further information can be accessed at DEIR Queensland at www. cambridge.edu.au/ bct1weblinks.

FACT! The mining industry has its own specific WHS legislation.

Work health and safety (WHS) policy is determined by federal and state governments, with the participation of a broad range of community voices, industry groups, unions and the public. Once the policy is developed it becomes law and must be adhered to by all organisations. ACTION TASK

Form groups of four or five students. Your teacher will give each group a piece of paper and different coloured pen. Each team is to put ‘WHS’ in a circle in the centre of the paper and then create a web around the topic to highlight what you know about WHS. After five minutes’ working time, take your pen and move to the next group’s web, adding more points. Continue working in this way (four to five minutes per web) until you are back at your group’s original web page. Highlight common themes that emerged, selecting two or three major WHS issues for class discussion.

Despite WHS legislation, accidents continue to happen in workplaces, and according to the federal government’s Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC), on average someone in Australia dies every two to three days as a result of a work injury. ACTION TASK

Access the Safe Work Australia website at www. cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks and click on ‘Industry Information’ to answer the following: • Which industry had the most fatalities and which had the least? • Which industry had the most non-fatal accidents and which had the least? • What are the main types of accidents that occur and why?

These statistics exemplify the importance of WHS legislation, and the continual need for businesses to educate and train employees

ISBN: 9781107688056 © Rasmussen, Mylonas, Beck 2012 Cambridge University Press Photocopying is restricted under law and this material must not be transferred to another party.

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on the importance of following the strict procedures implemented in an attempt to prevent accidents occurring. Historically, one of the difficulties with WHS legislation has been that each state and territory (including the Commonwealth) had its own particular Act. These differences made compliance confusing, and resulted in additional expenses for businesses operating across more than one state. As a result, the federal government developed a model Act that each state and territory (including the Commonwealth) had to use as the basis of their own WHS Act, although some differences specific to their own jurisdictions were permitted. The purposes of the model Act were to: • develop uniform, equitable and effective safety standards and protections for all workers • ensure all sections of each state and territory Acts are numbered the same for ease of reference • reduce compliance and regulatory burdens for businesses who operate in more than one state or territory • reduce the incidence of death, injury and health issues in the workplace • ensure consultation, coordination and cooperation between all duty holders • improve government processes in regard to WHS regulatory and support services. A new initiative of the Act was the introduction of protection for people against discriminatory, coercive and misleading conduct in relation to work health and safety matters – behaviours that can be interpreted as bullying (Table 5.1).

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QUEENSLAND LEGISLATION On 26 May 2011, the Queensland Government became the first state to pass the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 based on the guidelines of the model WHS Act with minor necessary changes for operation within the Queensland jurisdiction. This Act came into effect on 1 January 2012. One of the necessary changes that Queensland introduced was a new Safety in Recreational Water Activities Act 2011 (the SRWA Act). This was done to enforce strict safety standards in Queensland’s popular diving and snorkelling industries.

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 The Work Health and Safety Act (Qld) 2011 sets out laws about health and safety requirements affecting most workplaces, work activities and specified high-risk plants in Queensland. It seeks to protect the health and safety of everyone at a workplace including visitors, contractors, apprentices and volunteers. With ever-increasing mobile workforces, it is essential for employers to thoroughly understand what constitutes a workplace.

Table 5.1 WHS protection behaviours

Discriminatory conduct

Coercion and inducement

Misleading representation

This can include: • the dismissal of a worker • termination of a contract for services with the worker • altering the current working position of the worker to their detriment • treating a worker less favourably than another in relation to terms of engagement.

This involves coercing or inducing a person to: • perform or not perform a function • perform a function in a certain way • exercise or not exercise a power.

This involves making false or misleading representation to another person about that person’s: • WHS rights or obligations • right to make a complaint to a regulator empowered to seek compliance with the model act • right to participate in a process or proceeding.

ISBN: 9781107688056 © Rasmussen, Mylonas, Beck 2012 Cambridge University Press Photocopying is restricted under law and this material must not be transferred to another party.

FACT! Between August and October 2011 four people died undertaking recreational water activities in Queensland, three of whom were tourists.

A workplace is defined as a place where work is carried out for a business or undertaking including any place where a worker goes, or is likely to be, while at work, which can include a shopping centre, a vessel, vehicle or aircraft, or home.

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A PCBU can be a business owner, manager of a shopping centre, CEO of a corporation, unincorporated body or government department. It does not include a volunteer association comprised solely of volunteers who do not employ any person to do work. A social club or minor football club may fit into this category, provided the club does not employ anyone.

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Work Health and Safety Regulation (Qld) 2011 Regulations are designed to complement and expand on the duties imposed by the Act, fleshing out details to make compliance easier. The WHS Regulation 2011 sets out the legal requirements to prevent or control certain hazards that might cause injury or death in the workplace by prescribing ways of preventing or minimising exposure to a risk, as well as setting out the administrative matters that relate to those risks. ACTION TASK

Look up the Queensland WHS Regulation and, in groups, each select a different section to prepare a PowerPoint summary of what is covered. Present your findings to the whole class.

Together, the WHS Act 2011 and the WHS Regulation 2011 provide a framework for managing health and safety risks in Australian workplaces. Interpreting these is further assisted by the development of work health and safety codes of practice.

Codes of practice

Hazardous substances (also known as dangerous goods) include poisons, lead, and any chemicals that burn or irritate the skin or eyes.

Codes of practice provide further practical advice on how to manage exposure to specific hazards and the associated risks, accompanied by pictures and drawings to assist business in understanding how to comply with the regulations. There are codes for specific industries and occupations such as building and construction, diving, the sugar industry and call centres, as well as more generic codes of practice such as first aid, bullying, fatigue, work amenities, noise, hazardous substances and working from heights, which are applicable to all industries. As codes of practice are admissible as evidence in court regarding what is considered reasonably practicable behaviour, all businesses are required to comply with the details outlined in these documents. ACTION TASK

Working in pairs, access the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General website at www. cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks and select ‘Work health and safety codes of practice’. With each pair selecting a different code of practice, prepare a brochure outlining the major points. Include appropriate websites and graphics.

ACTION TASK

Undertake research to see if Safe Work Australia’s Bullying code of practice has been endorsed. Then see if Queensland has developed its own bullying code.

Where there is no regulation or code of practice addressing a specific risk, it is the responsibility of the person in control of the business or undertaking (a PCBU) to choose an appropriate work method or system to manage exposure to the risk, take reasonable precautions and exercise due care.

EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES According to legislation, all employees and employers should feel safe at work. Therefore, everyone – employers and employees – has a ‘duty of care’ while carrying out their work to ensure the health and safety of themselves and their colleagues. The Queensland WHS Act 2011 lists the legislated responsibilities of employers and employees in regard to their ‘duty of care’ as positive, primary, officers, workers and others, as outlined below. ACTION TASK

Your school is an organisation that employs staff and has a duty of care for anyone on its premises (including you). For this reason and because of legislation, policies and procedures governing work health and safety must be in place. What is your understanding of WHS? Is it obvious that your school has WHS policies and procedures in place? Provide examples. What responsibilities (if any) do you and your teachers have with regard to WHS? Justify your response.

Positive duty of care All duties of care are positive, which means it is a criminal offence if a duty of care is not demonstrated at all times (and not just when an accident occurs). This duty of care is qualified by the term ‘where reasonably practicable’, which means that the duty holder must demonstrate they have carried out regular risk assessments considering: • the likelihood of an incident occurring • the severity of possible harm • the person’s knowledge of the hazard • the availability of ways to minimise the risk • whether the cost of eliminating the hazard is proportional to the risk itself.

ISBN: 9781107688056 © Rasmussen, Mylonas, Beck 2012 Cambridge University Press Photocopying is restricted under law and this material must not be transferred to another party.

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ACTION TASK

In groups, try to think of situations where the cost of eliminating a hazard could be greater than the possibility of an accident occurring. Compare your ideas and discuss how this might impact on positive duty of care.

PCBUs and officers of corporations and unincorporated bodies are required to exercise ‘due diligence’ to ensure the safety of all workers. Under the Act, due diligence means an officer or PCBU is required to: • keep up-to-date knowledge of work health and safety matters • gain an understanding of the nature of the operations of the business or undertaking of the body and specifically of the hazards and risks associated with those operations • ensure that the body has available for use, and also uses, appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise risks to health and safety from work carried out as part of the conduct of the business or undertaking • ensure that the body has appropriate processes for receiving and considering information regarding incidents, hazards and risks, and responding in a timely way to that information • ensure that the body has, and implements, processes for complying with any duty or obligation of the body under this Act • verify the provision and use of the above resources and processes • maintain a continuous duty to ensure compliance with the duties and obligations.

Primary duty of care The PCBU must ensure the health and safety of individuals whose activities in carrying out work are influenced or directed by them, including employees, visitors, apprentices, work experience students and contractors. This means that a PCBU is obliged to: • provide and maintain the work environment without risk to health and safety • provide safe plant and structures (e.g. guards on machines, scaffolding) • provide safe systems of work (e.g. pace and frequency of work)

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• provide adequate facilities for the welfare of workers, including access to those facilities (e.g. washrooms, eating areas) • provide any information, training and supervision that is necessary • provide for the safe use, handling, storage and transport of substances (e.g. toxic chemicals, fibres) • monitor the health of workers and work conditions to prevent injury or illness • maintain accommodation owned or under their management or control • consult with workers and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) about matters that directly affect them • consult, coordinate and cooperate with other duty holders involved in work situations (e.g. contractors, building owners and suppliers of plant, structures or substances) to ensure all obligations are met. Besides the employing organisation, it is also incumbent on designers, manufacturers, importers, suppliers, and installers of plant substances or structures to demonstrate a primary duty of care.

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For information on HSRs, see page 128.

Officers’ duty of care An officer is a senior executive (such as a company secretary, partner, director or CEO of a company or unincorporated club) who makes, or participates in making, decisions that affect the whole or a substantial part of a business or undertaking. It is an obligation that officers exercise due diligence to ensure the PCBU complies with all duties as specified in the Act. Officers are required to take proactive steps to eliminate or reduce hazards or risks within a workplace that the PCBU is responsible for.

ISBN: 9781107688056 © Rasmussen, Mylonas, Beck 2012 Cambridge University Press Photocopying is restricted under law and this material must not be transferred to another party.

Safe systems of work include the prevention, detection and resolution of work bullying, and discriminatory, coercive and misleading conduct.

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Lead indicators are the WHS systems and processes put in place. A notifiable incident involves a death, serious injury or illness, or dangerous incident.

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An officer’s main duties include: • acquiring knowledge on health and safety matters (e.g. legislation and business safety performance) • understanding the hazards and risks associated with the business with a focus on the major risks • ensuring the PCBU provides adequate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise risks • ensuring the PCBU considers accidents and hazards with a focus on ‘lead’ indicators • ensuring the PCBU has, and implements, processes for complying with their duties and obligations (e.g. reporting notifiable incidents, consulting with workers, training and instructing workers) • personally ensuring systems are implemented and working to fulfil obligations. Officers also have a personal liability in ensuring the health and safety of workers, as shown in the article below.

Company directors fined over work death Two directors of a Perth crane company have been fined $45 000 each for causing the death of a worker by failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace. Luke Aaron Murrie, 22, was killed when he was hit by a 375 kilogram section of crane mast at D and G Hoists and Crane’s Malaga yard in 2007. Company directors David Patrick Majella Keating and Luigi Vincenzo Decesare were found guilty in the Perth Magistrates Court late last year. Today Magistrate Pamela Hogan fined the company $90 000 and imposed a $45 000 fine on each director. … ‘Hopefully, for everyone, both employers and employees, this puts work safety at the forefront of their minds.’

Workers’ duty of care Work health and safety is not just the domain of employers. Employees also have a responsibility to maintain health and safety in their work. Just as employers are covered by the concept ‘reasonably practicable’, employees are also subject to a consideration of what is reasonable. This issue of ‘reasonably practicable’ depends on all relevant factors, including whether: • the instruction, policy or procedure is lawful • it complies with the model WHS Act and model WHS Regulations • it is clear • affected workers are able to cooperate. ACTION TASK

Think of work situations that might not comply with the above points. Have you experienced any of these if you work part-time?

With this in mind, employees must: • take reasonable care for their own health and safety • take reasonable care that their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of others • comply so far as reasonably able with any ‘reasonable’ instruction from the PCBU • cooperate with any reasonable policy or procedure of the PCBU.

Source: ABC News, Friday, 11 March 2011. www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/11/3161974. htm?site=perth.

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Others’ duty of care The duty of care of other persons, such as volunteers, visitors to a workplace or work experience students, is similar to a worker’s duty of care. However, if volunteers hold an ‘officer’ position, they need to follow the same duty of care as officers because they can be prosecuted for failing to comply with a health and safety duty under the Act.

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The model WHS Act sets out categories of offences and their penalties (see Table 5.2 below). Appeals to any of these decisions can be reviewed by the Director of Public Prosecutions or taken to the High Court. ACTION TASK

Examine the three examples in Table 5.2, and for each category state who would be responsible. Justify your responses by referring to the duties of care.

Table 5.2 Categories and penalties for WHS breaches

Category

Definition

Example

Maximum Penalty

Category 1

Involves ‘reckless conduct’ that exposes someone to a risk of death or serious injury or illness.

A supervisor is aware of a hazard of missing guard rails on erected scaffolding and does nothing about it despite knowing it could lead to a serious accident.

Corporation $3 million Individual as PCBU/Officer $600 000 and/or 5 years jail Individual as worker/other $300 000 and/or 5 years jail Heard through District Court

Category 2

A person fails to comply with their duty of care, placing another person in risk of death, serious injury or illness.

Young apprentice not following correct procedures that had been provided in training.

Corporation $1.5 million Individual as PCBU/Officer $300 000 Individual as worker/other $150 000 Heard through Magistrates Court

Category 3

A person fails to comply with their duty of care – worker is not at immediate risk of injury.

A worker is being bullied at work and the manager does nothing about it.

Corporation $500 000 Individual as PCBU/Officer $100 000 Individual as worker/other $50 000 Heard through Magistrates Court

ISBN: 9781107688056 © Rasmussen, Mylonas, Beck 2012 Cambridge University Press Photocopying is restricted under law and this material must not be transferred to another party.

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ENFORCEMENT OF WHS LEGISLATION Other names used by the Regulator are Fair Work Queensland and Work Safe Queensland.

Figure 5.1 Gradual enforcement pyramid

Each state and territory has a statutory authority, known as the Regulator, which is responsible for the enforcement of WHS legislation. In Queensland, the Regulator is Work Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ), and it follows the National Compliance and Enforcement policy guidelines developed by the Heads of Work Authorities in Australia and New Zealand. Functions and powers given to the Regulator include: • advising, reporting and making recommendations on the effectiveness of the WHS Act to the relevant Minister • sharing information with other Regulators

• providing advice and information to duty holders and the community • fostering a cooperative, consultative relationship between duty holders, their workers and their representatives • promoting and supporting education and training • collecting, analysing and publishing statistics • monitoring and enforcing compliance with the Act through enforceable undertakings, legal proceedings and prosecutions. The WHS Act (Qld) 2011 has also introduced the concept of gradual enforcement (Figure 5.1), which focuses on remedial strategies when businesses are found to be in breach of the Act, rather than immediate legal proceedings (i.e. fines or imprisonment).

Issue Infringement Notice • On-the-spot fines as alternative to prosecution Enforceable Undertakings • A legal agreement to carry out required changes • Money from possible financial costs channelled into improvements Issue Infrigement Notice • On the spot fines as alternative to prosecution Obtain an Injunction • Allows a relevant court to enforce compliance Issue Non-disturbance Notice • Inspector deems it necessary to enable execution of powers • Must be complied with (site can be preserved up to 7 days) Remedial Action • Undertaken by Regulator and costs charged to PCBU Issue Prohibition Notice • There is possibility of bodily harm • Requires immediate action Issue Provisional Improvement Notice • There is no threat to bodily harm • Used if consultation has not resulted in issue being rectified Source: Graeme Backholm, WHS Officer, Moreton Bay College 2012.

ISBN: 9781107688056 © Rasmussen, Mylonas, Beck 2012 Cambridge University Press Photocopying is restricted under law and this material must not be transferred to another party.

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Gradual enforcement means that before actually prosecuting, WHSQ can issue a prohibition or enforcement notice giving the business time and knowledge to make any necessary changes for the good of the workers. If this fails, then WHSQ will serve an ‘enforceable undertaking’, which gives direct and prescribed action the business must take to avoid prosecution. Hence, businesses are forced to spend money they would otherwise be paying in fines on actually making their workplaces safe.

An example of WHS personnel and the communication flow is shown in Figure 5.2.

Access the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General at www.cambridge.edu.au/ bct1weblinks and search for ‘enforceable undertakings’. Examine the different prosecutions that have been undertaken. In groups of three, select a case and then present it to the class. Discuss whether you agree or disagree with the outcome. Justify your decision.

WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY PERSONNEL

Figure 5.2 WHS personnel and communication flow

WHS Committee

Undertake research on Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs). Then prepare a diagram on A3 paper to demonstrate the steps involved in issuing a Provisional Improvement Notice. As a group, select the best diagram to display in your classroom.

ACTION TASK

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Management – including WHS adviser

ACTION TASK

Each business served with an enforceable undertaking and prosecution is listed on the WHS website along with the reasons for these notices. This is a legal obligation under the Act and should serve as an incentive for businesses to comply with the legislation.

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HSR

HSR

HSR

Workgroup

Workgroup

Workgroup

ACTION TASK

Do you think it is necessary to have an elected Health and Safety Representative (HSR) in an organisation irrespective of its size? Explain why or why not. What alternative could there be?

Under the WHS Act 2011 there is no legal obligation to appoint a Health and Safety Officer. However, for PCBUs to meet their primary duty of care, they need to appoint someone with the skills and knowledge to advise management on compliance with legislation and the business’s safety performance. This person must be at a particular level in management to ensure input at the decision-making level.

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A workgroup consists of workers with similar work conditions, such as night-shift workers, electricians or teachers.

A Provisional Improvement Notice can be issued if there is a serious risk of immediate or imminent exposure to a hazard but can only be issued by a trained HSR or inspector.

Figure 5.3 The process for the election of an HSR

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Work health and safety representatives Any worker in a workgroup within an organisation may ask their PCBU to facilitate the election process for a Health and Safety Representative (HSR) and the PCBU is obliged to undertake this election process (Figure 5.3). HSRs are elected for three years unless they resign, are disqualified, cease to be a worker in their group or are removed from the position by the majority decision of the workgroup. A PCBU has an obligation to consult with the HSR, so far as reasonably practicable, on all health and safety matters, including policies and procedures. The rights of an HSR are to: • consult with PCBU on health and safety issues • request training • monitor the compliance of the WHS Act by the PCBU • carry out inspections after giving reasonable notice to the PCBU unless there is an incident or situation involving a serious risk to a worker

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Worker requests PCBU to organise elections for an HSR in their group (e.g. administration staff or cleaners)

S TEP

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PCBU commences negotiations with workers within 14 days of request to discuss numbers of HSRs and composition of workgroups

S TEP

S TEP

S TEP

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• accompany an inspector during routine inspections • review circumstances of work incidents or issues • investigate WHS complaints by members • order a ‘cease to work’ notice if they ‘reasonably’ consider risk of serious injury is possible. ‘Cease to work’ means to refuse to carry out work if it exposes a worker to serious risk. The PCBU must be notified of this as soon as practicable, and suitable alternative work negotiated. • issue a Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN) on the PCBU when necessary. The HSR can seek assistance from a union official who has the right to enter a work site to investigate a safety matter raised by its members, provided they are properly trained to hold an ‘entry permit’. While carrying out their duties, the HSR cannot be personally sued for anything done or omitted in good faith.

If requested, union official must be included in negotiations If negotiations fail, or PCBU ignores request, a worker can request an inspector be called in to determine workgroups

After successful negotiations the PCBU advises workers of outcomes Workers within each group determine procedure to elect HSR

PCBU must provide resources, facilities and assistance to enable elections

Workgroups and PCBU notified of election outcomes by person/s who conducted it

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WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEES The primary function of the Work Health and Safety Committee (WHS) is to encourage employers and workers to work together for a healthier and safer workplace. According to the WHS Act, the roles of this committee include: • facilitating cooperation between PCBU and workers • developing and carrying out measures designed to ensure health and safety of workers

ACTIVITY

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• assisting in the development of standards, rules and procedures relating to health and safety that are to be followed and complied with at the workplace. While organisations are not automatically required to establish a WHS committee, they must do so within two months after a request is made by an HSR or a group of five or more workers. At least half the WHS committee must be elected by the workers, and these representatives must not be nominated by the PCBU. The HSR is entitled to be on the committee should they desire.

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1 In pairs, undertake further research then prepare a series of podcasts and a poster to outline the various duties of care under the WHS Act 2011. 2 In groups of three, prepare a vodcast on discriminatory, coercive and misleading conduct in relation to WHS. Include the PCBU’s responsibilities in regard to this. As a group, select the most effective video to upload to the school’s intranet. Present your vodcast to the principal. 3 Organise a PCBU from both a large and a small business to come to the school to discuss the impact of the new legislation on their businesses. After the presentation, prepare an article for the next issue of the Business Queensland magazine outlining the impacts on both businesses. (Alternatively, you could invite your principal and the HSR adviser to explain its impact on the school and write an article for the next school newsletter.)

4 Consider the following situations: a An employee has refused to read and sign the employer’s safety documentation. b An employee worked while affected by alcohol or drugs. c Several male employees on a building site refused to wear sunscreen, as it is too messy and makes dust stick to their bodies – some also choose not to wear shirts. d A contractor is working at your school and has his little brother helping him. The boy has thongs on and is climbing up ladders that are not secure. In small groups, discuss the above situations and decide who has responsibility in each scenario – the employer and/or the employee. Present your decisions to the class, justifying your reasons.

ISBN: 9781107688056 © Rasmussen, Mylonas, Beck 2012 Cambridge University Press Photocopying is restricted under law and this material must not be transferred to another party.

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SAFE SYSTEMS OF WORK All businesses must implement safety systems to prevent injuries in their workplace. Because accidents are costly to the employee, business and families, accident prevention is at the forefront of all policies and procedures developed. Consultation is an obligation under the WHS Act 2011 and, through this process, policies and procedures developed are more likely to be accepted and implemented in the workplace. ACTION TASK

When you were first offered a part-time job, what WHS training were you offered? At what stage of your employment was this training undertaken? What specific risks of injury or work-related illness were addressed? Access the Queensland Department of Employment and Industrial Relations at www.cambridge.edu.au/ bct1weblinks and search for ‘Induction Checklist’. Compare any training you were given with the requirements stated on this form. Do you believe your training was sufficient? Explain why/why not. If not, how would you address deficiencies in the training?

Figure 5.4 Example of a WHS policy

WHS POLICIES As part of demonstrating due diligence, a PCBU must have a documented WHS Policy that outlines the business’s commitment to work health and safety. The policy should be displayed within the workplace and all employees made aware of its presence. A policy can be a simple one-page document as shown in Figure 5.4 below. It is not sufficient for organisations to simply document WHS policy and procedures to meet compliance with the legislation. They are obligated under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to ensure all staff are fully conversant with the responsibilities of a task, by conducting regular training sessions, and also to provide adequate supervision. An area often overlooked in safety training is work travel. In many states and territories, including Queensland, the employer may be liable for any injuries that occur during an employee’s regular route to and from work whether by car, public transport or on foot.

Your Business/Company Name and Logo Your Business/Company details WORK HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY (Company name) is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all employees, visitors and contractors. The company also recognises the responsibilities and requirements placed upon it by Work Health and Safety legislation and codes of practice and will adhere to these principles, and provide: 1. Safe systems of work and maintenance of company plant and equipment. 2. Information, instruction and supervision for all employees, visitors and contractors relevant to the WHS systems and procedures of the site. 3. Consultation with all employees on WHS issues, including any changes to work practices, procedures or before the introduction of new plant and equipment. 4. Ongoing programs to prevent accidents, including coordinating regular work inspections in conjunction with employees. Managers and supervisors will fully implement the company safety programs and are responsible for ensuring a safe work environment is provided for all employees under their direct control. Managers and supervisors are also responsible for promptly acting on any WHS concerns or issues they become aware of. Employees are expected to fulfil their obligations with respect to WHS legislation by fully participating in company safety programs, reporting injuries and incidents and following all safety directions, regulations and procedures. Every employee, regardless of their position, has the authority to take action to reduce the immediate risk of injury or illness in their work area. <> <>

ISBN: 9781107688056 © Rasmussen, Mylonas, Beck 2012 Cambridge University Press Photocopying is restricted under law and this material must not be transferred to another party.

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ACTION TASK

Individually, list things you could do to make travelling to work safe whether in your car, on public transport or by foot. Discuss your list with three or four others and compare. Then access Smart Manager at www.cambridge. edu.au/bct1weblinks and add any tips that are not on your list.

RISK MANAGEMENT Risk management is the foundation of effective health and safety procedures. For a PCBU to be able to demonstrate they have done all that was ‘reasonably practicable’ to manage a risk as per the legislation, there must be evidence of undertaking regular risk assessment processes. One of the first steps in risk management is to distinguish between what constitutes a hazard and a risk. • A hazard is any situation, substance, activity, event or environment that has the potential to cause harm. • A risk is present when a person is within the vicinity of a hazard and is therefore exposed to the possibility of harm. Examples of these are shown below. Hazard

Risk

Paint fumes

A worker might suffer health issues from inhaling paint fumes while spray painting in an enclosed area such as the hull of a ship.

Using swivel chairs on casters to get items off high shelving

A chair may easily move causing the worker to fall and pull down the item on top of him or her.

Cleaning machinery

Possibility of electrocution if machine is not turned off; machine may begin working, resulting in person cleaning getting caught in moving parts.

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Some major risk areas in regard to the health and safety of workers include: • Work environment related hazards, e.g. uneven or slippery floor surfaces, high noise levels, very high or low temperature, poor ventilation • Psychological stress, e.g. conflict, bullying, harassment, excessive workloads, lack of support • Machinery and related hazards, e.g. entrapment, crushing projectiles • Heat and fire • Electricity • Hazardous substances, e.g. toxic or poisonous chemicals

• Biological waste • Airborne contaminants, e.g. fumes, dusts, vapours, smoke • Working at heights or over depth, e.g. risk of falling • Manual handling, e.g. pushing, pulling, carrying, lifting and restraining or repetitive tasks • Confined spaces • Over-exertion and physical stress Source: A. Douglas, OH&S Handbook, H1/4-5 Douglas LPT Law, 2011.

ACTION TASK

Research the major types of hazard in the retail industry or in your own workplace. Create a table showing each hazard and the risk associated with that hazard.

After a hazard has been identified, and the risks associated with it are assessed and deemed appropriate, effective control measures are implemented to eliminate or minimise the risk to an acceptable level. Controls must then be continually monitored to ensure the effectiveness of the measures. To effectively manage exposure to risks, a risk management process (see Figure 5.5 on the following page) must be developed and, if the risk assessment is complex, it should be carried out by a suitably qualified person. ACTION TASK

Consider the last school excursion you attended. Interview relevant parties to learn about the riskmanagement assessment and processes undertaken by your teachers (and any external parties involved in the excursion) that enabled this school excursion to proceed. Access ‘Cycling: Track, Road and Bike Path’ at www.cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks. Analyse the risk assessment form. Is the school risk assessment form similar to that of Education Queensland? If there was less detail, discuss whether you think it still met the five steps detailed on the following page.

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Figure 5.5 The riskmanagement process

S TEP

S TEP

1 2

Identify the hazard • Look for things that could harm, e.g. noise, chemicals, electrical cables Assess the risk • What is the likelihood of risk resulting from the hazard? Almost certain Likely Possible Unlikely • What are the consequences if the risk occurs? Catastrophic Major Moderate

Minor

Rare

Insignificant

3

Decide on control measures • Inform the workers of the risk and consult with the HSR and WHS committee regarding remedial action • Isolate the hazard or remove workers from the risk if serious • Consider personal protective equipment

S TEP

4

Implement control measures • Install guards, alter or fix unsafe plant or structures • Introduce new work procedures to eliminate risk • Provide training and supervision of new procedures • Provide personal protective equipment as required

S TEP

5

Monitor and review • Undertake periodical checks on the effectiveness of the new procedures • Educate employees on their part in maintaining a safe work environment

S TEP

Of major importance to PCBUs, when undertaking risk assessments, is fully understanding the definition of a ‘workplace’, which may include an employee’s home, as outlined in the article below.

Worker gets compo after falling down stairs at home, SMEs told to conduct risk assessments of employee homes By Patrick Stafford Businesses should conduct risk assessments of employee’s homes if they are working out of the office in order to

avoid potential occupational health and safety lawsuits, following a case in which a Telstra employee claimed compensation after being injured at home. The warning comes as the number of ‘work from home’ requests increases and SMEs are more willing to allow employees to finish their work outside of the normal business area in order to provide flexibility and a good work/life balance. Harmers Work Lawyers senior associate and Brisbane team lawyer Kristin Ramsey says the Telstra case highlights the need for businesses to ensure their employees are working in safe environments – both

in the normal work and at home. ‘Businesses ought to consider things like conducting risk assessments of the home work environment,’ she says. ‘That doesn’t necessarily mean we’re able to monitor daily what people are doing from home, or have control over that. But if they take no steps, that’s when they aren’t going to be able to demonstrate they acted to make a safe environment.’ Ramsey says the Telstra case highlights the need for businesses to develop plans and regulations around how employees can work from home. In the case, Telstra was ordered to

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pay compensation by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal after employee Dale Hargreaves fell down a flight of stairs and hurt her shoulder while working at home. Ramsey also says the growing number of work-at-home requests is set to continue, as the Fair Work system allows for employees to request flexible working arrangements where possible. SMEs must conduct practical risk assessments, she urges, although she notes these don’t have to be overly cumbersome or time consuming. ‘This doesn’t necessarily mean the business has to go and look over the home physically. But someone needs to conduct a risk assessment there.’ ‘It could just be a checklist that an employee does themselves, and then sends it back. These are really important

things they need to do.’ Some of the aspects included in such a report could include whether a work environment has adequate lighting, heating and ventilation, and whether the actual work place is near any electrical or trip hazards. ‘You need to ask whether the computer is set up in an ergonomically correct way, and so on. This isn’t something that is overly onerous, it’s just thinking about maintaining a system you put in place and make sure it’s working safely.’ Ramsey says businesses need to keep in mind there is now a legal precedent for businesses having to pay compensation for injuries that occur at the home, and that this needs to play into business owners’ thinking. ‘Even if employees aren’t injured, if

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businesses haven’t taken proper steps to ensure health and safety, they could be exposed to breaches which could eventually give rise to penalties.’ Source: www.smartcompany.com.au/ legal/045782-20110914-worker-gets-compoafter-falling-down-stairs-at-home-smes-told-toconduct-risk-assessments-of-employee-homes. html. This article was first published by www.smartcompany.com.au.

INVESTIGATE

Divide into groups of four students, with two taking on the role of employers and two role playing employees. Discuss the situation highlighted in the above article and, in your respective roles, try to come to an agreement regarding with whom the duty of care resides – employer or employee.

When trying to determine the risk factor associated with a hazard, a matrix (see Figure 5.6) can be used.

Risk Assessment Ratings Matrix

Consequences – How bad?

Figure 5.6 Sample risk assessment ratings matrix

Step 2: Likelihood of risk A

B

Common occurrence

Has occurred on occasion

C

D

E

Could occur

Unlikely to occur

Not expected to occur

1. Fatal

2. Permanent disability

3. Lost time due to injury

4. Medical treatment necessary

5. First aid necessary

Risk Rating

High Risk

Medium Risk

Low Risk

Source: A. Douglas, OH&S Handbook, H1/4-5 Douglas LPT Law, 2011.

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A critical aspect for all businesses is that a risk should never be ignored. To meet its legal obligations with duty of care, the standard hierarchy of control (see Figure 5.7 below) for Figure 5.7 Hierarchy of control

risks should be implemented in the appropriate order, starting at Level 1 and working towards Level 6.

1 Eliminate (remove the cause of the danger completely)

2 Substitute (replace the hazardous work practice or equipment with an alternative) 3 Isolate (isolate the hazard by controlling or guarding it to prevent injury) 4 Engineer Controls (redesign work processes/ equipment to reduce or eliminate hazard)

PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment.

5 Administrative Controls (promote safe practice through policies, signs and training) 6 PPE (provide gloves, hard hats, etc.)

The risk of injury in the workplace is always of concern and despite the best policies and procedures, accidents still occur because not all hazards can be eliminated or removed. Some equipment or substances that are essential to a business’s operation may be inherently hazardous, such as a crane on a building site, forklifts, chemicals and machinery. These contribute to injuries in workplaces each year despite Australia having very stringent WHS legislation. In an attempt to reduce accidents and deaths in hazardous workplaces, the WHS Act 2011 requires PCBUs to focus on major hazards, and show that they are meeting compliance in these situations. Businesses involved in dealing with hazardous substances or practices are obliged to undertake health monitoring to track the effectiveness of risk control strategies and to identify any adverse health effects that may result from exposure to these situations. Failure to manage risks can involve legal action, significant fines and/or imprisonment for PCBUs and officers.

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Another process for controlling risks is through the use of a flowchart (see Figure 5.8) to identify the procedures needed when the hazard is minor and can be eliminated by a worker, or whether it is more serious, requiring further investigation. ACTION TASK

In pairs, research a company that has been sued for failing to protect its employees. Prepare a presentation of the case to the group. In your presentation explain whether you agree or disagree with the decision. Justify your stance.

Safety signs Safety signs, symbols and coloured markings are a recognised method of identifying hazards within a workplace; for example, yellow lines are often painted at the top of steps to ensure they can be seen. These identifiers, however, are not a physical control. Rather they are an administrative control required by law, which states that known hazards must be identified. Safety signs (see Figure 5.9 on the following page) must comply with Australian Standards such as AS1319 (design and use) and AS1216 26 (Dangerous goods), and should be placed in areas where the possibility of a hazard exists. Multilingual signs (see Figure 5.10 on the following page) are available for industries with employees from different cultures where English is their second language.

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Many safety signs are internationally recognised, such as those in Figure 5.11 on the following page, and are most suited to areas where there may be language barriers or a likelihood of impaired reading ability. This means that everyone should be able to understand what the signs are indicating.

Figure 5.8 Hazard inspection and reporting flowchart

ALL EMPLOYEES Identify the hazards Observation Inspection Task observation Accident investigation

Can I fix or eliminate this hazard myself?

Fill in hazard report

Risk assessed and corrective actions identified by the supervisor

Supervisor enters detail in hazard record book

ACTION TASK

In groups, and with an allocated area, undertake a safety sign audit of your school. Prepare a checklist that will enable you to record the type of safety warnings that are in place (for example, a sign or symbol, use of coloured markings, or other method), where these warnings are located and why. Also include your own observations as to the effectiveness of these signs. During your audit, take note of where additional safety signs are required. Collate your groups’ observations into one audit report. Include recommendations and justifications for any suggested changes or additions. Present your report to the school WHS officer.

Supervisor nominates person responsible to fix the hazard

Hazard fixed, supervisor completes record book

Feedback given to originator

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NO

YES

• Fix hazard • Advise supervisor

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Figure 5.9 Examples of safety signs

Danger signage – danger is featured inside a red oval, which in turn is inside a black rectangle

When a hazard or hazardous condition is likely to be life threatening.

Hazard signage – yellow background with black triangle

Used to indicate a hazardous situation that may result in an injury.

Emergency information signage – green with white (except fire, which is red)

Indicates the location and directions to emergency facilities such as fire equipment and exit routes.

Informational signage

Provides information regarding various situations including reminders to take care.

Figure 5.10 Examples of multilingual signs

Figure 5.11 International safety signs

Prohibition signs – annulus and slash should be depicted in red over the action symbol in black

Specifies behaviours or actions that are not permitted – good choice where there may be worker or visitor language barriers.

Mandatory signs

Specifies that an instruction must be carried out – symbols (or ‘pictograms’) are depicted in white on a blue circular background.

Hazchem signs

Used when dangerous goods are stored or being transported – come in a range of colours but are always a diamond shape.

ACTION TASK

With a partner, explain what each of the signs in Figure 5.11 represent. Did you experience any problems interpreting the meaning? Compare your explanations with another pair. Do you have similar explanations? If different, why do you think this occurred?

Source: Australian Standard Safety Signs © Brady Corporation.

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Material safety data sheets A material safety data sheet (MSDS), or safety data sheet (SDS), is a document prepared and supplied by a manufacturer or importer of a hazardous substance (Figure 5.12). It outlines

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the characteristics of the substance; possible health effects after exposure; precautions for its safe use, storage and disposal; and first aid treatment should an accident or exposure occur.

5 Figure 5.12 Material safety data sheet (MSDS)

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET Revision Date: July 2012. Supersedes version June 2007 1. CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION Product Name: Waterchlor Liquid Pool Acid Manufacturer’s Product Code: B67304 Other Names: HCL Container Size: 5L and 15L Hazard Statement: Classified as a hazardous substance according to the criteria of the NOHSC. Use: Acid solution for acidifying swimming pool water. Appearance: Clear colourless liquid with irritating vapours. Company: Waterco Ltd ACN Number: 344 567 002 Company Address: 44 McEvoy St, Acacia Ridge, Qld 4122

2. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS Chemical Entity

Synonyms

CAS Number

Amount

Hydrochloric Acid

Hydrogen Chloride solution, HCl

7647-01-00

35%

Water

H2O

7732-18-5

To 100%

3. HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Routes of Exposure: The primary hazard of this product is eye and skin contact to the liquid and inhalation of irritating vapours. Acute Effects: Swallowed: Corrosive to the mouth and digestive system. Other symptoms include gastric pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Skin: Severely irritating to skin, causing symptoms from itching to redness, with chemical burns and blisters to moderate exposures and the possibility of corrosion (scarring). Eye: Severely irritating to the eye on contact, with symptoms of discomfort, tears and blurred vision. Conjunctivitis may also occur. Corrosion to the cornea and other eye surfaces is also possible. Inhaled: Airborne vapours are severely irritating to the upper airways and lungs producing discomfort, coughing and sneezing, inflammation and ulceration of the upper respiratory tract, possibly pulmonary oedema. Effects may be delayed. Chronic Effects: Repeated low level exposures may produce erosion of the teeth and ulceration of the mucosal membranes of the nose and mouth. Medical Conditions may be aggravated by Exposure: Pre-existing respiratory and skin conditions may be aggravated by inhalation of this product.

Phone Number: (07) 3876 5500 Fax Number: (07) 3876 5512

4. FIRST AID MEASURES First Aid: Take a copy of this MSDS to medical advisers if signs or symptoms of over exposure occur and medical attention is required. Swallowed: Immediately rinse mouth out with water. Give two glasses of water and do not induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, give further water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Seek advice immediately from a medical practitioner or Poisons Information Centre. Skin: Thoroughly wash exposed skin with plenty of soap and water. For acid burns, immediately flood area with plenty of water, and cover with a clean dry dressing. Seek medical advice if skin irritation occurs or for all acid burns. Eye: If contact occurs, or if eye irritation arises, hold the eyelids open and flush the eyes with fresh lukewarm water (or, if available, other eye cleansing solutions) for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical advice immediately for all eye contact. If necessary, transport patient to hospital. Inhaled: Remove affected individual from exposure to fresh air. Keep individual warm and comfortable. If breathing is laboured and the individual has blue lips (cyanotic) ensure airways are clear and arrange oxygen from a qualified person. If breathing has stopped supply artificial respiration at once. If cardiac arrest occurs, apply cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Seek medical advice if respiratory symptoms occur. First Aid Facilities: If practicable, an eyewash station and a deluge shower should be available. Advice to Doctor: No specific treatment recommended. Treat symptomatically for exposure to strong acid solution.

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A full MSDS can be downloaded at www. cambridge.edu.au/ bct1weblinks.

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A PCBU must ensure there is an MSDS held for every chemical on site. Workers using these chemicals must be properly trained on the safety data contained in the MSDS to ensure they are fully aware of the risks and the safety precautions to follow. The MSDS should be clearly displayed in the area where the product is stored and used so that all workers involved in the handling of the substance are continually reminded of the care that needs to be taken, and also as a quick reference for treatment in the event of an injury, exposure or a spill.

Job Safety Analysis Job Safety Analysis (JSA), also known as a Job Safety and Environmental Analysis (JSEA), is a safety management tool used to identify, measure and control hazards in relation to jobs, tasks or processes in order to protect

ACTIVITY

workers from injury or illness. A JSA is a ‘living’ document – it should always be adjusted to meet the conditions on a job site at any particular time. Management processes must also be in place to ensure that workers have the skills to complete the job and that there is a required level of supervision to ensure that the tasks are completed as documented. A JSA is a legal document that can be used in a court of law and must be signed by all parties who have responsibility for the tasks. ACTION TASK

Ask your HSR for a copy of a JSA for repairs undertaken within the school by an external person (such as an electrician). Search online for an example of a JSA. Compare the two. Are similar processes outlined? Did one JSA outline the processes more clearly than the other? If yes, explain why.

5.2

1 Obtain an electronic copy of your organisation’s WHS Policy. Analyse the policy in line with current legislation. Using Track Changes and Comments make and/or suggest any changes that you feel are required to comply with this legislation. When completed, prepare an email to your principal and WHS manager, explaining the process you undertook and attaching your edited document. 2 Explain the difference between a hazard and a risk. 3 Individually prepare checklist templates for risk management processes and risk assessment ratings within the school environment using check box, text and drop down fields. Select the most effective checklist. Then divide into groups and allocate each group one section of the school – e.g. teachers, administration, grounds staff, cleaners, volunteers. You may like to divide the teaching staff into a number of different groups, too; for example, by subject departments. Using your prepared checklists, interview staff to determine their level of knowledge and understanding of WHS processes. When completed, prepare a report outlining your findings. Include recommendations, supported by appropriate academic references. Make sure you clearly identify the group you researched. Attach your report to an email to the HSR explaining the process you undertook to discover your results.

4 Access the Everything OHS website at www. cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks and search for inspection checklist. Then download the Workplace Inspection Checklist. Divide into groups of three. Each group is to select a different area within the school to conduct a basic safety inspection. Combine all findings into a report to be presented to the WHS manager. 5 Access the Comcare website at www.cambridge.edu. au/bct1weblinks, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the ‘Virtual office’ picture. Enter the various rooms to explore issues and levels of safety, identify potential risks and hazards, and outline possible solutions. 6 Working in pairs, select an industry to research for the purpose of identifying the hazards common to that industry, and ways of eliminating or minimising the identified risks. Then, prepare a multimedia presentation for your class. HINT: Use the search function in the Queensland Department of Justice and Safety Concept websites to assist with this research task. Go to www.cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks. 7 With so many people working in the health and service industries, the Queensland Government has developed a Guide to Working Safely in People’s Homes. Divide into groups of three or four to search for this document plus other related material. Divide the subtopics equally. Your aim is to produce a guide for workers in this industry. Include suitable graphics, diagrams and references.

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ACTIVITY

5.2

8 Analyse the following scenario and prepare a 250–350 word response for the manager of RAH Enterprises. Comment on current WHS practices – correct practices and those requiring attention – and suggest recommendations for improvements. Justify your reasoning. RAH Enterprises has 40 employees. They are concerned about the health and safety of the workers in the packing and loading area, as there have been a few small accidents involving boxes falling from shelves onto employees and near misses when the trucks are backing in to pick up loads. Many of the employees like to listen to their iPods while working, and management allows them to do so. The employer has provided the employees with instructions on how the boxes are to be stored, and training has also been provided. As there is no WHS representative, some employees have been to see management

FACT!

to express their concerns and have been told that it will be investigated. Everyone keeps notes in their diaries of any accidents. 9 Search the web for ‘MasterChef an OH&S hazard’. After reading the article, prepare a 400–600 word report to the producer of the TV show on their work health and safety practices, relating your responses to the information covered in this section. Questions to assist in this process could include: • Who has responsibility for the overall safety of the contestants? • What was the major concern? • How was it handled by Matt Preston and Adrian Mott? • Would their comment be legally sound? Why/why not? • What steps have been taken in regard to WHS? • Do you believe these are adequate? Justify your opinion.

WORK INCIDENTS Work incidents are extremely costly to a business due to the following factors: • the need to retrain or replace injured workers • loss of productivity with unsafe workplaces • increase in workers’ compensation premiums • legal costs if cases go to court • loss of quality staff who will leave if safety is not considered. The main causes of accidents in the workplace include: • complacency – especially workers who have been in the same role for several years • tiredness – especially shift workers • ignoring set policies and procedures • not taking sufficient precautions • being overconfident • insufficient training for new employees • lack of concentration.

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ACTION TASK

The Independent Voice (October 2011) identified that in 2009/2010 in Queensland, there were 2843 workers’ compensation claims in the education sector alone with an average of 37.4 working days lost to each claim and 8.8 per cent of workers not returning to their pre-injury position. For students who have part-time employment, discuss the types of incidents you are aware of that have occurred in your workplace. What actions were taken in regard to the hazard that caused those incidents? Are some accidents more common than others?

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Some statistics about work injuries: • Mental health has overtaken physical injury as the cause of the longest absences from work. • Fractures are the next largest category of work injury, with 54 per cent of those with broken bones away for a week or more. • Fifty-four out of every 1000 workers suffer a workrelated injury or illness – about 640 000 workers a year. • Work-related injuries and illnesses cost about $60 billion a year. • The accommodation and food services industry has the highest injury rate – 84 per 1000 employees. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics’ publication Australian Social Trends, June 2011.

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ACTION TASK

Looking at the picture at right, which of the main causes of accidents listed on the previous page could apply to this situation?

When an incident occurs in a workplace, it must be investigated and documented whether it is a minor or notifiable incident (Table 5.3). All incidents must be reported to management and notifiable incidents reported to the Queensland Regulator – Work Health and Safety Queensland. Table 5.3 Notifiable incidents

Death of a person The work incident has resulted in the death of a person

Serious injury or illness

Dangerous incident

• requires immediate

• spillage, leakage or

• •

•

• • • • •

FACT! In the first week of March 2012, three workers were killed while working on electrical installations in Queensland – one while working on a billboard in Sherwood, one on a construction site at Clermont and one during the erection of an electrical transmission tower at Jandowae.

treatment as an inpatient at a hospital amputations infections from microorganisms, e.g. Hendra virus serious head or eye injuries burns spinal injuries severe lacerations other medical treatment needed within 48 hours of exposure to a substance

• • • •

uncontrolled escape of a substance explosions, implosions or fire uncontrolled escape of gas, steam, pressurised substance electric shock collapses, overturning of plant, equipment or structures interruption to ventilation systems or surges of water or gas in underground tunnels

incidence of a work fatality does not always lead to a prosecution, it can result in negligent employers or supervisors receiving severe fines or even being imprisoned. ACTION TASK

Investigate different types of Accident Report Forms and Accident Investigation Forms, including the ones at your school. As a group, select which ones are the easiest to follow. Prepare new ones for your school if necessary.

In Queensland the maximum penalty for failing to notify the Regulator is $2000 for an individual and $10 000 for a corporation. However, a PCBU will not be charged with an offence if they: • did not know about the incident • were incapacitated by the work-caused illness or work injury • notify the Regulator and make a record as soon as possible after recovery. The area where an incident occurs must also be preserved so that inspectors can investigate thoroughly what has occurred. In the case of a fatal accident, police will be required to investigate and inform the victim’s next of kin and the coroner. Based on the completed accident report, Work Health and Safety Queensland will decide whether a prosecution should commence. While the

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High-risk work areas are targeted under the model WHS Act and PCBUs are required to have comprehensive systems in place to prevent the possibility of accidents. In all highrisk areas, employees should be drug free to meet their WHS obligation of not endangering self or others in the workplace, and this is usually promoted through the use of signs around the workplace. Whether mandatory drug and alcohol testing is lawful is often a matter for the courts and depends on the individual situation, as shown in the article below. ACTION TASK

Obviously it is impossible to directly supervise workers who are working remotely or at home. How do you think an employer can ensure they are carrying out their duty of care in these situations?

Mandatory drug and alcohol testing – is it lawful? By Joanna Weekes In Thiess, Wagstaff Piling v CFMEU (2011), Fair Work Australia was asked to determine whether a unilaterally imposed requirement for drug and alcohol testing was permissible under the Fair Work Act. The critical facts were that Thiess introduced a fitness for work policy unilaterally across its Tulla-Sydney Lines Project (a road-widening project in the greater Sydney area). The fitness for work procedure covered all subcontractors on the site and employees of Thiess. One of the contractors was Wagstaff. Wagstaff’s EA with the CFMEU contained a clause which incorporated the Victorian Building Industry Alcohol and Drugs Policy – a consultative policy that was silent as to drug and alcohol testing. The CFMEU was successful before the Victorian Construction Panel, again on appeal to Commissioner Blair, but was unsuccessful before the Full Bench of Senior Deputy President O’Callaghan, Deputy President Ives and Commissioner Gay.

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SAFETY TRAINING AND SUPERVISION Every organisation is legally obliged to provide training to employees and have supervisors oversee the way work is undertaken, especially in potentially dangerous situations. To minimise the possibility of an incident, PCBUs have a responsibility to educate employees in work procedures, and employees have a responsibility to carry out those procedures accordingly. This includes remote workers and people working from home. As well, with the increase in the number of employees with English as a second language, managers have the added responsibility of ensuring these employees understand correctly all safety procedures.

The Full Bench held: 1. It is not unusual to secure safety through the use of random drug and alcohol testing. The fact that Wagstaff’s incorporation of the Victorian Building Industry Alcohol and Drugs Policy is silent on random alcohol and drug testing does not preclude Wagstaff and Thiess from requiring alcohol and blood testing; and 2. The risk to employee safety posed by drug and alcohol use has long been recognised and compulsory drug and alcohol testing is, of itself, not so extraordinary that it could not be argued to be a reasonable employee instruction. Section 28 of the model Work Health and Safety Act imposes duties upon workers to comply, so far as the worker is reasonably able, within reasonable instruction that is given by the PCBU and to co-operate with any reasonable policy

or procedure of a PCBU, (S28 (c) and (d)). The combined effects of the Wagstaff decision and the changes in the model Work Health and Safety Bill should strengthen the resolve of employers to institute mandatory random drug and alcohol testing. There is no doubt, the process would benefit from appropriate consultation with any affected employees and their representatives (unions). Nonetheless, this decision recognises the primacy of drug and alcohol testing as a method of ensuring safety for workers in workplaces. Source: http://ohshandbook.com.au/2011/11/02/ mandatory-drug-and-alcohol-testing%E2%80%93-is-it-lawful.

INVESTIGATE

Consider the following statement: Mandatory drug testing should be implemented by all businesses. Is this a ‘reasonable’ instruction? Allocate three areas around the room – Yes, No and Undecided. Move to the area that best represents your opinion. People in the Yes and No areas are to present their ideas one at a time in an attempt to get the Undecideds to move to their side. It is also appropriate for the Yes and No people to move to the other side. Try to get everyone to agree.

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FIRST AID According to the WHS Regulations, every PCBU has a legal responsibility for ensuring adequate first-aid provisions, including access to a trained first-aid person any time of the day or night. If there are situations where the risk assessment deems a trained first-aid person is not necessary, it is still a requirement that alternative procedures are implemented; for example, having access to emergency transport or special arrangements with a local medical centre. According to Safety Concepts Australia, a safety program should cover: • accident prevention and safety promotion • safety compliance • accident and emergency response • personal protective equipment • safety practices • equipment and machinery • chemical and hazardous materials safety • work hazards • employee involvement. Training involves teaching workers how to identify and assess risks and hazards, and helping them understand safety processes. Effective training programs can reduce the number of incidents, deaths, illnesses, workers’ compensation claims, retraining costs, damage to property and legal costs. It is therefore beneficial for organisations to develop a safety culture within their organisations so that everyone accepts responsibility for work safety. All safety training must be documented. This should include: • recording each staff member in attendance with their signature • keeping a training matrix of who has been trained, when they were trained, the training topic and when a refresher course is required.

ACTION TASK

• Have you noticed any first-aid signs around your school? • What colours are associated with first-aid kits? • Where are the kits located? • Can you think of a reason why these locations have been chosen?

The minimum qualification for first-aid officers in low-risk workplaces is a current Senior First Aid certificate, and in high-risk workplaces a current occupational first-aid qualification is required. First-aid personnel are responsible for: • maintaining current qualifications • ensuring that first-aid kits are fully stocked and easily accessible, that their location is clearly signed, and that they are regularly checked to ensure that expired items or equipment are replaced • undertaking initial care of work-caused injuries or illnesses • recommending further special medical treatment if required, including calling an ambulance • recording details of the injury – the amount of paperwork to be completed depends on the severity of the accident/incident

ACTION TASK

Search the web for ‘safety training for workers’ and select the SmartCompany article. After reading the article, answer the following questions: • Do you believe WHS is both the employer’s and employee’s responsibility? Justify your answer. • Do you believe you can make workers follow documented procedures? Why/why not? Outline some situations where it would be difficult to make employees follow set procedures.

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Mental health Mental health has been recognised in the WHS legislation as a major issue and businesses need to control their work to ensure minimum harm comes to their employees from work issues. Stress, caused by a variety of situations, is a major area impacting on workers’ health. Stress is something that occurs over a period of time as a result of situations such as bullying, struggling to cope with workloads, harassment and violence. Employees in these situations often suffer from depression, indecision and anxiety. The problem with stressful situations is that they continue over a period of time, making it difficult to identify and prove unless the employee keeps a detailed diary of events. To comply with WHS legislation, organisations need to ensure that a bullying policy is in place and any complaints are dealt with immediately. • reporting details to management • following up outcomes • assisting in WorkCover claims and rehabilitation. First-aid kits with contents that suit the particular business should be clearly labelled and accessible in areas of high risk. Disposable sterile items should be used as much as possible to prevent cross infections. The number of kits required depends on the size and types of activities undertaken by the business.

WORKERS’ HEALTH Health issues, while not actual injuries in themselves, may be stress-related, leading to psychological and physical injury. Under the WHS Act 2011 the importance of ‘health’ as a WHS issue has much greater emphasis. While accidents and physical hazards are acknowledged and obvious, there are other areas of risk to an employee’s health such as lack of correct ergonomic practices, stress and violence in the workplace.

Ergonomics Ergonomics is the process of designing workplaces and systems that suit the specific user. It includes workstations, lifting, bending, reaching and twisting in conjunction with the frequency of these movements. With all jobs, alternating tasks to prevent repetitive strain should be normal practice.

ACTION TASK

Have you (or a friend) ever experienced a stressful situation in part-time employment? If so, what created the situation? Brainstorm situations that could create stress in the workplace. Do you think you may have contributed to a stressful situation, intentionally or unintentionally? Explain. ACTION TASK

Access the Eve Ash website at www.cambridge.edu. au/bct1weblinks and read the blog on ‘The fine line of bullying: Four things you need to know’. After reading this, has your understanding of what constitutes bullying changed? How many of you believe you have experienced bullying in your work or schooling? Is there a bullying policy at your school? And do you believe bullying is handled satisfactorily? Explain why/why not.

Work violence Another area of concern for businesses is the increase in violence in the workplace, which can be internal (an extension of bullying) or external (e.g. robberies). In September 2010, the Heads of Work Safety Authorities across Australia formed a workgroup to develop a national guide on ‘Preventing and Responding to Violence at Work’ for all industries, in particular those where violence is most prevalent – community and emergency services, education, police and nursing. The guide defines violence at work as ‘any incident in which a person is abused,

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For more information on bullying, see page 58.

For more information on WorkCover and rehabilitation, see pages 145 and 146.

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threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work’, where: • abuse is the ill treatment of someone and/or insulting language • threat is declaring an intent to cause pain or loss to someone • assault is an unlawful physical attack, including an attempt to do violence to another. Internal violence should be covered under a specific bullying policy that outlines reporting mechanisms as well as investigation and grievance procedures. All employees should receive a copy, and sign it to show that they have read and understood the contents. It is important to realise that abuse from violent behaviour does not only relate to the office environment: it can occur at business-related functions such as conferences, work parties or trade shows. External violence is completely unpredictable but organisations can undertake risk assessment and control measures in consultation with workers to minimise the dangers. The guide strongly emphasises the need for staff to be trained in ways to identify and prevent possible risks as well as how to deal with violence should it occur. ACTION TASK

In small groups, access the national guide to violence and prepare a wall chart on questions to consider when undertaking a risk assessment on possible violence. Select the best chart for display around the school.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Basic emergency situations include fire, medical situations, violent intruders, bomb threats and chemical spills. By law, planning for these types of situations is mandatory and all organisations are expected to prepare an emergency response plan to suit their individual business. Areas to address in the plan include: • work layout/location • exit points for different areas • arrangements for raising alarm • assembly points • personnel appointed to assume responsibilities during emergencies • procedures for different types of emergencies. ACTION TASK

What emergency situations have you been involved in – real-life or drills – to date? Did you know what to do? Explain why or why not. Who assisted you in these emergency situations?

When developing emergency plans, all foreseeable emergencies must be considered, including taking notice of neighbouring businesses. If these businesses deal with dangerous substances, then procedures on how to deal with emergencies resulting from an accident at their premises should be included. Other areas to be considered include: • remote and isolated workers – a group of geologists working in inland Australia would need access to satellite phones and emergency contact for the Flying Doctor service • a community nurse – access to a Duress Alarm when working alone • people with disabilities – special procedures required. ACTION TASK

What types of disabilities would need to be considered in these plans? In groups, discuss and write procedures for dealing with each different type of disability. Access the Safety Concepts website at www.cambridge.edu.au/ bct1weblinks, click on ‘Archives’ and select November 2011. Find the article ‘Evacuation of people with disabilities’. Then access CATS (Creating Accessible Teaching and Support) at www.cambridge.edu.au/ bct1weblinks and compare what you have written.

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ACTION TASK

Safe Work Australia has undertaken steps to harmonise the workers’ compensation arrangements through their National Workers’ Compensation Action Plan 2010– 2013. Access this plan through Safe Work Australia at www.cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks. What outcomes have been achieved? What, if any, changes have been made to Queensland legislation?

Simply developing a plan is not sufficient. Practices of procedures and testing of equipment should be conducted regularly to ensure evacuations or lockdowns are conducted safely and without panic. A different alarm system should be used for a lockdown and an evacuation, and employees should be conversant with both sounds. During emergency situations (whether a drill or real) employer-appointed safety wardens are responsible for ensuring correct procedures and protocols are followed by employees and visitors. All staff nominated to the role of a work safety warden must be given time to undertake initial and subsequent refresher training courses to ensure that their qualifications remain current and relevant to the position being filled. A record of these practices is to be kept to demonstrate due diligence and that everything reasonably practicable has been done to ensure the safety of everyone on site.

All employees can apply for workers’ compensation (WorkCover) benefits regardless of who or what caused the workrelated injury. To ensure that claims are paid for the entire period missed from work, applications for compensation should be lodged as soon as possible following the injury, and within a maximum of six months of seeing a doctor. Under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003, both employees and employers have certain responsibilities when either claiming for, or receiving, compensation benefits from WorkCover. Penalties may apply if people do not comply with these requirements, and WorkCover may suspend a worker’s compensation benefits or prosecute for an offence under the Act if these responsibilities are not fulfilled.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION Workers’ compensation is a compulsory levy imposed by the government on employers to fund their potential liabilities associated with injured workers. Employees are covered by the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act (Qld) 2003, which states that employers must have accident insurance for any injury sustained by a worker in the course of their work or on their usual route to or from work. It also provides compensation for their dependants if the injury results in the worker’s death.

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5 WorkCover is a self-funded government statutory authority, and is the largest provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Queensland. Access WorkCover Queensland at www. cambridge.edu.au/ bct1weblinks.

FACT! Every year, WorkCover Queensland receives over 73 000 applications for compensation, with costs of approximately $5.2 billion annually. Of these, around 13 000 claims are from Queensland workers who suffer an injury as a result of a slip, trip or fall, costing Queensland businesses more than 256 000 lost work days and over $60 million in workers’ compensation payments. Safety wardens may also be known as safety officers, fire wardens, or building, floor or area wardens.

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Rehabilitation and return to work Under workers’ compensation legislation, PCBUs are obliged to create a return to work program for employees who have suffered some type of injury and workers are obliged to participate in this program. This involves the employer and employee participating in discussions with each other, WorkCover Queensland and other professionals such as medical specialists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and counsellors. The outcome of these discussions is an individual program to help the injured worker return to work. Because injury downtime is costly and disruptive for employers as well as other staff who may be required to take on additional duties during an injured employee’s absence, it is in everyone’s best interests to have injured workers return to work as soon as possible, even if they can only do light duties or parttime work. If an employee is unable to return to the job because of a work injury, WorkCover will discuss options with both the worker and employer. However, the main aim is to work closely with health providers, and help workers and employers throughout the rehabilitation process.

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ACTION TASK

Prepare a brochure or podcast on workers’ compensation as an inservice for teachers. Include the employee and employer responsibilities when making WorkCover claims and rehabilitation procedures.

Business impacts of a work health and safety incident The impact on a business of a health and safety incident in the work can range from little or no impact, to the kind of impact from which it may be difficult for a company to recover. The cost of work incidents to the Queensland economy in 2009–10 was estimated to be $6.2 billion. In Queensland, more than 99 per cent of all compensated work-related injury claims are for non-fatal injuries. Of these non-fatal claims, 62.9 per cent are for short term, temporary injuries that require less than five working days off work, and 37.1 per cent are for serious, temporary injuries requiring five or more days off work. Claims resulting in work related impairment accounts for 8.5 per cent of these claims. (Q-COMP, 2010–11 Statistics Report.)

Impacts of an incident While most injuries are minor, even a seemingly small accident can have a significant impact. For instance, in a small company with few staff, the impact of one worker being injured (physically or psychologically) and requiring only a few days off work can have indirect costs such as lowered staff morale, lost productivity while the injured worker is absent, job dissatisfaction, staff turnover and recruitment costs. Incidents also impact the worker’s family and friends, work colleagues and even the community with far reaching financial, social and psychological consequences. With any work injury, a company is required to ensure the injured worker

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All incidents have an impact on business, reinforcing the need for strict adherence to risk-management processes, as highlighted in the following article.

receives appropriate professional treatment. The business may have to adjust workloads and staffing levels to accommodate the absence of the injured worker. If the worker cannot immediately resume the duties they had before being injured, the business would need to work with the worker to implement a return to work program. The business must also ensure that the incident has been recorded and investigated appropriately. Following an investigation, the business is likely to incur some costs for improvements to work health and safety. For some businesses, the impact of even a moderate incident can be significant. For instance, if an incident involved a major piece of equipment that turned out to be hazardous, the equipment would have to be repaired, modified or replaced before it could be used again. For a small business, this could be too great an expense.

Legal consequences Any electrical incident or work incident that is severe enough to have caused serious injury or illness, or be classed as a dangerous event or major incident under work health and safety legislation must be reported to the appropriate work health and safety regulator and workers’ compensation authority. The business must work closely with these authorities during an investigation. In a worst case scenario, a serious incident may result in the business owners and/or individuals within the company being prosecuted for a breach of the legislation. This outcome may incur time and financial costs for a business, and be distressing for those involved.

Avoiding an incident There is a great deal businesses can do to reduce the risk of work injuries. All businesses should ensure they have completed a thorough risk assessment of work hazards, implemented a system of continuous improvement for work health and safety practices and provided quality inductions and training for staff. Fundamental injury prevention and reduction practices involve identifying and assessing the known risks in the workplace, complying with company and regulatory health and safety requirements, discussing potential risks with workers and working together to find solutions. Finding solutions to work health and safety risks can often provide businesses with long term cost savings and immediate returns on productivity. Some of the proven benefits for businesses include reduced workers’ compensation insurance premiums, improved health and safety, productivity gains, savings on plant, labour and maintenance costs, and improved staff morale. Source: Taryn Doherty, Principal Awareness and Engagement Officer, Work Health and Safety Queensland.

INVESTIGATE

After reading the above article, summarise the information in dot point form, using the same subheadings as in the article. Then as a group, discuss incidents that you know have occurred in your workplace. Make a list of these on the board and discuss ways they could have been prevented. Do you know of the impact these incidents had on their workplaces?

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ACTIVITY

1

2

3

4

5

5.3

In small groups, each select a different industry and then undertake research on the most common types of accidents in that industry (include farming and mining). Using collaboration software, prepare a graph in Excel showing the main types of accidents and the numbers in each state. Create a chart depicting the comparisons. Access Safe Work Australia’s statistics at www. cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks, and search for ‘Statistics’. Then answer the following questions using figures from 2012: a Which industry lodged the most claims? b What age group has had the highest number of recorded accidents in that industry? c On average, what is the most accident-prone age group? d On average, who has made the most claims – males or females? e In which industry were there more claims by males? f In which industry were there more claims by females? Repeat for the previous year. Have accidents increased or decreased? Search the web for the Queensland First Aid Code of Practice and prepare a checklist of the requirements for locations, contents, signs, trained personnel and record keeping. Using this checklist, undertake a survey of your school to determine whether these requirements have been met. Prepare a report for the health and safety manager on your findings. Make sure you justify any recommendations for improving the first-aid facilities. In groups of three, prepare a vodcast or vlog on correct ergonomic use with laptops. Each group is to select a class or group of classes throughout the school and present the vodcast to them. As a whole class, select the best. Then individually, prepare a letter to the principal covering the following details: • what your class has prepared • details of where the vodcast can be viewed • permission to upload the video onto the intranet. Select the most professional letter to send to the principal. Access the ‘bullying hypothetical’ case study at the Safety Concepts website at www.cambridge.edu. au/bct1weblinks and search for ‘risk management and workplace bullying’. Copy the article into Word. Read through it, highlighting issues that are appropriate and inappropriate practices. Then in groups of three or four discuss your ideas, making

comments in the document using the Comment function in Word. When you have completed this, you are to individually write a 700–800 word report for the HSR outlining the practices undertaken, the CEO Mr Jones’s knowledge of an Officer’s duty of care and compliance, and whether you believe the Officer should be held liable for the death of the worker. Justify your decisions and support them with academic references. Other articles to assist with your response the same site are ‘Work bullying sins of past penalties in the future’ and ‘Work bullying and the Work Health and Safety Act’. 6 Access Job Access at www.cambridge.edu.au/ bct1weblinks and search for ‘evacuation and emergency checklist’. Create your own checklist from this information, then in small groups, with each selecting a different staffing area, undertake interviews to ascertain knowledge on evacuation procedures. When completed prepare a letter to the HSR outlining your findings and recommendations for improvement if necessary. Make sure you justify your recommendations. 7 Find the OHS Procedures for a Queensland business that you are familiar with and, in groups of three, examine the way WHS is managed within this organisation. Discuss whether you believe it meets its compliance requirements and duty of care under the WHS Act (Qld) 2011. Make a note of any areas you feel are lacking. Prepare a report and accompanying letter to send to the company advising them of your evaluations and the steps required to make the company compliant. 8 Noise is an area of health that can be overlooked but it has its own Code of Practice. Many of you use earphones on a regular basis. Have you considered the impact this can have on your hearing? Undertake research to discover the acceptable limits of noise to the human ear. Then invite your HSR to test the level of sound set for your earphones. 9 Access the Q-Comp website at www.cambridge.edu. au/bct1weblinks and use the search feature to find ‘The better practice in return to work guide’. Using the information in this chapter and the Q-Comp guide, create a ‘Return to work’ brochure that would be suitable to give to employees who have been injured at work. Include diagrams and websites in your brochure. 10 In pairs, create a set of 12 cards using the table feature in Word, with a definition and a statement. When you have completed your cards, each pair should take turns asking the whole group their questions.

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HEALTH AND SAFETY RECORDS Keeping records about general work health and safety activities and the risk-management process of a business are essential as they: • demonstrate compliance with legislation • demonstrate due diligence • may be called for as evidence in a court of law • assist management in developing a riskmanagement plan • enable progress checks through continuous monitoring and reviewing • provide an audit trail • enable the sharing of information. ACTION TASK

In your part-time work and at school, there are certain procedures to follow when accidents occur. What forms must be completed in these situations? Discuss with your employer or school the types of records generated and how long they need to be kept.

Records must be kept for specific periods of time according to the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011. As a general rule, the length of time is five to seven years, although some records require keeping for a greater length of time such as registers of health surveillance; for example, records relating to hazardous substances, such as lead, must be kept for five years unless exposure to the substance has the potential to affect the long-term health of the individual, in which case these records must be kept for 30 years. Examples of record keeping obligations include: • accident and injury reports (for five years after the employee leaves) ACTIVITY

• results of inspections, reviews and audits • training and inductions undertaken • emergency plans • licences and permits • repair and maintenance records • health surveillance records (hazardous substances, atmospheric testing, employees exiting confined spaces) • records relevant to any investigation and/or prosecution • administrative controls for all risks • MSDS and JAS sheets • displayed lists of HSRs and WHS managers. By maintaining and examining these records, the WHS manager can identify problem areas, make improvements to safety and update the business’s risk-management plan. If there is an incident in a workplace, inspectors can request to see the records kept by the organisation as well as seek clarification from the PCBU. This is a change for PCBUs as they no longer have a right to remain silent. Any questions or information sought must be provided; however, the answers or documents provided are not admissible as evidence against that individual in criminal or civil proceedings, unless the information was false or misleading. ACTION TASK

Do you think the removal of ‘right to silence’ complies with the rights of individuals facing possible criminal charges? Invite your Legal Studies teacher to discuss this situation with your group.

5.4

1 Read the scenario below and complete the following activities. On Thursday 1 March, at about 12.30 pm, Paula McIntyre was walking into the canteen area of RAH Enterprises for lunch when she slipped in some spilt coffee. There was a safety sign outside the door indicating the spill but Paula had been talking to Veronica Webb, a work colleague, as

they were entering the canteen. When she fell, Paula hit her head on the doorway, which resulted in bleeding. Veronica helped her up and took her immediately to a nearby hospital. As well as four stitches to her head, Paula sustained a sprained left ankle and a fracture to her right wrist, which she received when she put out her hand as she fell. She was required to have one week off work. Paula’s date of birth is 3/10/90.

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ACTIVITY

5.4

a Using an accident form from the school first-aid officer (or the one at www.cambridge.edu.au/ bct1weblinks), record the details of the accident in the scenario. b Analyse and evaluate the WHS procedures outlined in the scenario. Present your findings in a report for the WHS committee. Justify your findings and any decisions made. 2 Create a spreadsheet similar to the one below. a Ask your HSR or health centre to provide you with statistics for the past five years on the categories listed below and enter them into your spreadsheet. b Create a chart showing the Admissions, Panadol, Accidents, Falls, Drugs and Workers’

Compensation claims recorded for each year. Compare the years. c Prepare a letter to send to your school’s WHS manager, explaining what you have prepared, attaching the graphs for a pictorial reference. Insert into an envelope printed with the WHS manager’s name and address. 3 Access South Australia’s SafeWork website at www.cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks, go to the ‘Resources’ tab, then ‘Education & Training’ and click on ‘Activities and tests’. Take a trip through the virtual offices. Make a list of the things you have learned on the way. When you have completed the tours, prepare a brochure that would be suitable for a new junior employee commencing work.

Health Centre Statistics

FACT! Although Australia only contributes 1.5 per cent of global carbon emissions per person, we are the worst polluters in the world – at 23.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year – due to our high emissions energy sector, which reflects the availability of cheap and abundant coal. Source: Federal Government, IRESS.

Workers’ comp.

Insulin dependant

Other

Epipens

Asthma

Drugs

Staff

Sec

Ambulance

Medical incidents

Falls Dangerous incidents

Visitors

Staff

Accident reports

Students

Staff

Sec

Staff

Sec

Year

Admissions

Panadol and other pain relief

SUSTAINABLE WORK PRACTICES The link between health, safety and the environment is incorporated into the core business of every organisation as part of continuous improvement. As debate about climate change increases, governments, businesses and individuals recognise the need to work together to minimise harm to the environment. World-wide, countries are channelling funds into developing sustainable work practices, in particular new ways of sourcing energy, in an attempt to reduce carbon emissions.

In 2011, the Australian Government began a review of its Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in response to increasing concerns about the sustainability of the planet. It also introduced a carbon pricing scheme on 1 July 2012 as a major initiative to reduce carbon pollution. This has encouraged industries to develop cleaner energy production to reduce detrimental impacts on the environment. A breakdown of the industry areas and their carbon emissions is illustrated in Figure 5.13.

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Figure 5.13 Industries and their carbon footprint

Australia’s pollution profile

Electricity generation 3% 3%

Agriculture

5% 7%

Direct fuel combustion

37%

Transport 15%

Fugitive emissions 15%

Industrial processes

15%

Deforestation and forestry Waste

Source: Courier-Mail, ‘Don’t let savings go up in smoke’, 18 July 2011.

GREEN OFFICE SPACE More and more, property developers are building sustainable office buildings to meet the demands of both public and private organisations wanting ‘green space’ approved by the Green Star® rating systems of the Green Building Council of Australia and the National Australian Built Environment Energy Rating System (NABERS). One building to receive two 6 star Green Star® rating and a 5 star NABERS Rating is Green Square North Tower in Brisbane, as shown below.

ACTION TASK

In pairs, research the environmentally sustainable characteristics of Green Square North Tower. Then investigate two other buildings in Australia that have won awards for being environmentally friendly and find out what features won them their awards.

According to a survey conducted by AFS (a specialist market research company) and Net Balance, a sustainability advisory firm, more than one in five businesses are finding pressure coming directly from customers (including government procurement) to be more sustainable.

A Green Star® rating incorporates the design, construction, indoor environmental quality, energy, water, transport, land use, emissions and innovation in design.

FACT! Queensland has the highest greenhouse gas emissions per person in Australia. Source: www. towardq2.qld.gov.au.

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With social media providing the means for people to discuss organisations providing sustainable practices, all businesses will need to improve their environmental performance to remain competitive.

GREEN PRODUCTS Access the Green Marketing document on the ACCC website at www.cambridge.edu.au/ bct1weblinks and search for ‘Green marketing and the Australian Consumer Law’.

For information on life cycles, see page 155.

Before an organisation can market itself or its products as ‘green’ or environmentally friendly, it must meet the requirements set out in the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Guide to Green Marketing and Consumer Law to show compliance with the Competition and Consumer Act (Cth) 2010. As well, the Trade Practices Act (Cth) 1974 sets guidelines for companies making environmental claims on their products and prohibits any business from making false or misleading representations, or engaging in misleading or deceptive conduct. By promoting environmentally friendly practices, a business will gain a competitive edge as consumers become more selective in

Big bucks in going green for businesses By Jo-Anne Hui Shoppers want to buy from environmentally friendly retailers and are happy to pay more for their products, according to a recent report from the Australian Centre of Retail Studies. Conducted by the ACRS in June last year, The Green Consumer Study found 46% of Australians regularly buy green products. Not only will consumers respect environmentally-conscious brands, but 49% are also willing to spend up to a 10% premium on their items and will visit their stores more regularly, said Carla Ferraro, ACRS research fellow. … However, while consumers are willing to buy green, they need to be better educated and given more information from businesses, as they often feel ‘overwhelmed by the science that sits behind these issues’, Ferraro explained. Businesses also need to better publicise the fact that they are socially-conscious

their purchasing of ‘green’ products, as shown in the article below. The terms ‘sustainable’ and ‘green’ are closely linked but can be distinguished as follows: • Green refers to products or services that are less damaging to the environment or are produced using methods or processes that save resources or reduce environmental impact as compared to those previously available or other products used for the same or similar purpose. As a general rule, green products do not generate detrimental ‘waste’ and contain recyclable components. • Sustainable means considering the environmental and social impacts of business operations and taking action to eliminate all negative environmental, social and economic impacts of operations at each phase of a product’s life cycle. An example of a sustainable product is bamboo as it can grow and be harvested in five years and, after being cut, will regrow on its own.

and inform consumers how their products reflect these attitudes. For example, awareness could be built through multiple channels, such as using social media, instore signage and making environmentally friendly products easier to find through informative labelling. ‘It’s interesting to note that 40% of respondents [in our survey] couldn’t actually name a local brand or retailer that was actively green in Australia,’ she told Smarter Business Ideas. ‘There are great examples coming into the marketplace of brands and retailers who are adopting significant investments in this regard, but our committee couldn’t tell us who they were. What they’re asking for are constant communications and greater transparency and info about what brands are doing.’ According to Ferraro, some particularly green-friendly brands in Australia include outdoor store Paddy Palin, beauty retailer Aesop and larger businesses such as Bunnings, Woolworths and McDonald’s. Retailers are in a unique position to influence others in their industry when it comes to adopting greener attitudes, as they’re connected to manufacturers and growers, said Ferraro.

‘In terms of the influence in the supply chain, you can use your power as a retailer and encourage your suppliers to mirror and adopt your policies,’ she said. ‘International players, like Marks and Spencer and Walmart use scorecards for their suppliers and only work with those who match their policies and strategies around green.’ Source: http://smarter.telstrabusiness.com/ news/big-bucks-in-going-greenfor-businesses.htm.

INVESTIGATE

How important is the environment to you? Is the purchase of ‘green’ products a major factor when you wish to buy something? In groups of three or four, research the companies mentioned in this article to see why their products are considered to be ‘green’ friendly. Create a definition for the terms ‘sustainable’ and ‘green’. Compare your definitions with other groups. Do you think the following items are green? • your iPod • green shopping bags • recycled office paper.

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Work Health, Safety and Sustainability |

For example, the timber in a house is a ‘green’ product – but is it sustainable? The answer to this is ‘Yes’ if: • it is all recycled timber, which is both green and sustainable • it is harvested in an environmentally responsible way, i.e. the area the timber is taken from is not depleted and it is not transported any great distance. ACTION TASK

Think of a product that you buy. Then research and prepare a flowchart of what it takes to get that product from the raw materials through manufacture to the shelf of the business you buy it from. Access the EPA website at www.cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks and read the document (page 15) to get an idea of this process.

To assist people in making choices about the products they wish to purchase, green labels have been introduced both in Australia and internationally.

Green labelling

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sustainable products, developed guidelines for eco-labels in line with International Standards (ISO 14024). The purpose of eco-labelling is to identify and promote products that have a reduced environmental impact. ACTION TASK

How much do you know about ‘green’ labelling? What terms have you seen that made you think a product was environmentally friendly? What do you think would help you make an informed decision on the accuracy of a product labelled ‘green’?

Naturally, there is no single eco-label that can ensure all environmental, ethical and social issues have been addressed. For example, the Fair Trade logo, which helps to support industry in developing countries, does not reflect the pollution through air miles and through the primary, secondary and shipping packaging required to transport a product around the globe. Labels can, however, provide an informative guide, as shown by the following examples.

In 2011, Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA), Australia’s leading certifying body for Good Environmental Choice Australia www.geca.org. au/ The Good Environmental Choice Label aims to provide an independent environmental labelling scheme in Australia that is nongovernment or industry affiliated and meets the needs of small and large producers. GECA reviews the impact of a product against standards for environmental performance and a life cycle assessment methodology is employed where possible. Following verification of the claims, a license is issued that provides the rights to use the GECA logo on the product and associated literature. It is the only Australian label recognised by the Global Eco-labelling Network (GEN).

Energy Rating www.energyrating.gov.au/ Energy labelling for major appliances in Australia was introduced in 1986. A joint

Australian and state/ territory government program, the Energy Rating Label is recognised as a key initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The mandatory labelling program covers refrigerators, freezers, room air-conditioners, dishwashers, clothes washers and clothes dryers. The program requires that these household appliances display an energy star rating label (1 to 6 stars [6 best]).

Australian Window Association Window Energy Rating Scheme www.wers.net/ To participate in WERS, window makers must obtain energy ratings for their products from a rating organisation that is accredited by the WERS Management Committee. Rated windows carry a label that certifies their rating by the Australian Window Association. The window’s cooling and heating performance is rated separately on a scale of 0 to 5 stars –

the more stars, the better. These stars indicate the effect the window will have on the energy performance of the whole house.

Fairtrade www.fairtrade. net/ Products carrying the Fairtrade Certification Mark are those that have been produced and sold ensuring that the farmers, workers and communities in developing countries, normally disadvantaged through current international trade rules, get a fair price for their products and labour. It aims to continuously improve working conditions, increase sustainability and invest in community development for workers and small farms. The Mark is most commonly found on commodity products such as coffee and tea. An increasing number of cafes, retail outlets and supermarkets are selling Fairtrade Certified products in Australia. Source: www.greenbeings.com.au.

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Although improving, there is still a need for greater regulation of labelling. Many ‘green’ claims are neither supported by evidence nor well explained. Statements made on products, such as ‘low carbon’, ‘100% natural’, ‘recyclable’, ‘earth-friendly’, ‘renewable’ or even ‘organic’ are designed to create a good impression without providing scientifically proven information about environmental benefits. For example, the packaging of a product may say ‘up to 40 per cent recycled’ but this does not state what is recycled – the carton or the contents of the carton. The term given to these unsubstantiated claims is ‘greenwashing’, which undermines the whole process of genuine environmental sustainability. One of the areas that lack meaningful standards and labelling laws in Australia is sustainable seafood, although guidelines are

set by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a global standard-setting and certification organisation that endorses sustainable fisheries, brands and retailers, and the Australian Marine Conservation Society. These organisations are pushing for a seafood labelling standard that clearly identifies the species of seafood, how it was caught or farmed and which company was responsible for getting the product onto the supermarket shelf. ACTION TASK

On their websites, research the statements made by Coles, Woolworths and Aldi regarding their seafood products. Then, in groups, visit a Coles, Woolworths or Aldi store to seek clarification on what these organisations are doing in regard to labelling. Find out how many of their products have been approved by the MSC. Does their packaging show how their products are caught? Do they provide only the ‘common’ name of fish? After the visits, discuss your findings with the whole class. Which of these three businesses do you believe provides the most accurate information?

A business wanting to benefit from promoting itself as green must gain endorsement from organisations such as GECA. After this is done, it can provide welldefined, clear messaging on its packaging, web and social media sites to encourage potential customers. Prior to seeking certification, businesses are required to develop a life cycle assessment (LCA) of their product. This involves examining each life stage of the product from raw materials, through manufacture, distribution and disposal (see Figure 5.14 on the following page). By having access to standard information on products, consumers can make informed decisions on purchases. ACTION TASK

How much attention do you pay to the type of labelling that appears on packaging? Do you automatically think that ‘green’ must mean that the product is safe for the environment or is sustainably produced? Examine the labelling on products you have at home. For one of the products, research the labelling to see if it is greenwashing or genuine – consider the questions relating to greenwashing in this section. Bring the packaging and the result of your research to school and share your findings with the group.

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Figure 5.14 Product life cycle assessment

Resource use, extraction effects

Energy and water usage, emissions to air and water

Raw materials

Transportation Manufacturing Recycling or disposal

Transport through all stages Packaging Use

Emissions to water/air

LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS There is a range of national legislation protecting all aspects of the environment, from fauna and marine parks to hazardous wastes. In Queensland, the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and its subordinate legislation ensure protection of the environment and this is enforced through the Department of Environment and Resource Management. Subordinate legislation includes: • Environmental Protection Regulation 2008 • Environmental Protection (Air) Policy 2008 • Environmental Protection (Noise) Policy 2008 • Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Policy 2000 • Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009. The Environmental Protection Act 1994 charges everyone with an environmental duty, which prevents governments, businesses or individuals from carrying out any activity that causes (or may cause) environmental harm. For this reason, organisations are required to complete a Job Safety and Environmental

Recyclable, minimal

Analysis (JSEA) for each activity that might potentially harm the environment. The Act also requires that any worker who becomes aware of any serious or material environmental harm that has occurred, or is about to occur, must report the situation to the employer or the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). Details about the event and the circumstances under which it happened must be recorded. Failure to notify the employer or the EPA of such events results in serious penalties under the law. In the case of an environmental accident, penalties are not usually incurred if the business can prove that all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent or minimise the harm had been implemented. Australia has outlined objectives and principles for Australian industry in its National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development. Guidelines on environmental management are also available from the International Standards Organisation (ISO) through its ISO 14000 series.

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For information on JSEAs, see page 138.

Go to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities website at www.cambridge.edu.au/ bct1weblinks and search for ‘environmental strategy principles’.

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ACTION TASK

Divide into six groups. Each group is to select one of the subordinate legislation policies listed on the previous page, the national environmental strategy principles or the ISO standards. Use the internet to access a copy of the selected policy and explore the section relating to ‘Environmental management decisions’. Make a note of the key issues identified and summarise the impact for businesses operating under this policy. Present your findings to the whole class.

Australian state and territory governments have agreed to legislation called National Environment Protection Measures (NEPMs), which requires Australian industries to: • measure and monitor their emissions in order to maintain and improve air and water quality • minimise the environmental impacts associated with hazardous wastes • improve the sustainable use of resources. ACTION TASK

In pairs, investigate the NEPMs and then search for a company that has failed to meet compliance with environmental standards in Australia. Present your findings to the whole group.

Policies and procedures To meet compliance, organisations develop a sustainable policy and proudly display it (see ‘Our Green Policy’ below) to demonstrate their commitment to quality environmental practices, their contribution to the environment and their understanding of customer expectations.

Our Green Policy The Daintree Red Mill House has made a strong commitment to environmental best practice and the promotion of environmentally friendly policies. We aim to continually improve and to identify additional opportunities that will assist the business to operate in a more environmentally responsible manner. Through a philosophy of ‘rethink, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle’ we will identify, manage and reduce our environmental footprint by: • Minimising greenhouse gas emissions by further reducing our consumption of

Simply having a policy in place will not mean that environmentally friendly practices will be implemented. Sustainability practices need to be communicated internally to employees, and externally to suppliers, customers and other stakeholders. Internally, sustainability should become ingrained in the organisation’s culture so that employees are proud of the efforts made by their business in ‘doing their bit’ for the earth. Involving staff by asking them to provide input into ways to improve sustainability will also increase the likelihood of the practices being implemented, and staff who are happy are more likely to be productive and loyal. By communicating externally, the organisation establishes expectations on how it conducts business, setting an example to others in the community. This can be a great incentive to attract workers who expect the business they work for to have a commitment to sustainability and also to entice new customers. One element of business practice in which sustainability should be addressed is procurement, where businesses expect their suppliers to adopt ethically and socially environmentally responsible practices in regard to the products and services they provide. This includes labour conditions, compliance with industrial and environmental regulations and WHS legislation. The Queensland Government has made a commitment to progressing sustainable procurement and reflects this in their State Procurement Policy 2010 (see Figure 5.15 on the following page).

power, water and fuel. • Reducing waste-to-landfill by improving recycling practices. • Considering environmental factors in purchasing decisions. • Working closely with our guests to continually improve our management of environmental issues. • Regularly monitoring and reporting our environmental performance. • Incorporating environmental management considerations into our core business plans and management practices. • Actively promoting and encouraging the adoption of ecologically sustainable

work practices and operations within our organisation, and the local business community. Source: www.redmillhouse.com.au/ greenpolicy.html.

INVESTIGATE

Think about your workplace or school at the present time. Does it have a sustainable work policy? Did you consider sustainability when you decided to undertake part-time work? Imagine you have left school or university and are looking for full-time work. How important will sustainability be to you when researching organisations you wish to work for?

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6 Sustainable procurement The Queensland Government is committed to protecting the environment and doing business with ethical and socially responsible suppliers. Agencies must integrate the practice of sustainability into the procurement of goods, services and construction. Budget sector agencies should seek to progressively increase the proportion of their procurement expenditure on goods, services and construction that demonstrate improved sustainability outcomes from year to year. To achieve this, budget sector agencies must: • demonstrate that sustainability considerations related to each significant procurement have been addressed during the significant procurement planning process. This includes the establishment of new, or renewal of existing, standing offer arrangements where these are also significant procurements. • include sustainable procurement strategies and targets in the Corporate Procurement Plan and report annually on progress against targets in the plan. Requirements with respect to setting, measuring and reporting on sustainable procurement targets are outlined in the Operational Concept. The selection of targets should align with the agency’s strategic and operational procurement objectives. • comply with certain product based targets as mandated by the Queensland Government Chief Procurement Officer. As part of a commitment to continuous improvement and better practice, Government Owned Corporations, statutory bodies and Special Purpose Vehicles should seek to progressively increase the proportion of their procurement expenditure on goods, services and construction that demonstrate improved sustainability outcomes, from year to year. Source: www.qgm.qld.gov.au/02_policy/pdfs/state_procurement_policy_0910.pdf.

ACTIVITY

5.5

1 Undertake research to find examples of misleading ‘green’ claims. For example, you could study product advertisements or even visit your local shopping centre. Create a table illustrating the marketing terms and how they purport to be environmentally friendly. Where applicable, include examples of symbols that are used to encourage consumers to purchase products. 2 Research the Australian Packaging Covenant (APC) to discover its packaging guidelines at www. cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks. In pairs, prepare a poster or brochure outlining these guidelines. Select

the most effective poster/brochure for display around the room. 3 Access the Ten Per Cent Challenge website at www. cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks. In groups of three to four students, select a different tip for businesses and prepare a five-minute oral presentation on what the business is doing to improve its sustainable work practices. 4 Working in pairs, research an innovation within the past five years that has contributed to the sustainability of the planet. Present your findings to the class.

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5 Figure 5.15 Extract from the Queensland Government Procurement Policy 2010

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ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRACTICES FACT! In 2010 in Australia almost 10.4 million tonnes of material not used as landfill was recovered at waste facilities. This included 2.2 million tonnes of metal, 1.7 million tonnes of paper and cardboard, and 1.7 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics.

For information on this strategy, access the Department of Environment and Resource Management website at www.cambridge.edu.au/ bct1weblinks.

As issues such as climate change, global warming and the sustainability of the planet continue to dominate the news and scientific debate, successful businesses will be those that develop environmentally sustainable practices to show customers, suppliers and other industries their commitment to the environment. However, it is not just businesses that need to develop sustainable practices – individuals also have a part to play in managing the environment. ACTION TASK

What sustainable practices are being undertaken by organisations and the government in the area in which you live? Are there any practices being undertaken that you believe are detrimental to the area? Make a list of these and discuss them as a class group. Outline a plan for addressing these detrimental practices.

The main areas into which sustainable work practices can be categorised are waste, energy, land, water and air.

WASTE The Queensland Government has developed a Waste Reduction and Recycling Strategy 2010–

2020. Part of this involved the introduction of an industry waste levy, which is an additional charge above the normal gate fee for waste delivered to a disposal facility. This is to encourage all businesses to rethink their wastemanagement programs and concentrate on recycling. Materials that are not used as landfill (i.e. they are recycled or reused) do not attract the levy. Waste management includes finding the best way to dispose of products such as plastics, glass, cardboard, chemicals and e-waste.

E-waste E-waste consists of items that contain electrical components such as computers, mobile phones, TVs, white goods (fridges, dryers, etc.), home entertainment systems, toys, toasters and kettles. ACTION TASK

At the end of 2012 Australia changed to digital TV. What impact do you think this had on e-waste? Undertake research to see if you can find out information regarding this issue. Was there a government initiative to manage the disposal of all the TV sets? How did you dispose of your TV?

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FACT! Australians are the second-highest producers of waste per person in the world, discarding 2 tonnes of waste per person per year.

Source: Robert Bryant, IBISWorld.

As technology continues to rapidly advance, disposal of e-waste is becoming a significant problem with the greatest threat being the health of individuals and the planet due to toxic components, as highlighted in the article on the following page. To minimise the impact of e-waste on the environment, organisations and individuals are encouraged to take advantage of the services provided by specialist e-waste recycling companies. Waste prevention and minimisation should be the main aim of all organisations and individuals. When waste cannot be prevented, the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle program is the next best option.

As with any business practice, unless there is a sustained commitment to implementing the system, it will not be successful. Everyone in the workplace should be involved in developing the system and ensuring it maintains its effectiveness. Some of the ways recycling can be adopted are outlined in Figure 5.16 on the following page.

ACTION TASK

Online shopping may be producing unsustainable side effects because more and more packaging is required. How many of you purchase online? Do you think the packaging is in excess of what is really required? Why do you think so much packaging is used? What impact does this have on the environment? Investigate the life cycle of cardboard. ACTION TASK

Develop and enact a campaign to educate fellow students and housemates of the facts about plastics and the benefits of reducing, reusing and recycling. Prepare posters to display around the school. Include: • facts about plastic – access Reuse This Bag, the Australian Museum, or SITA at www.cambridge.edu. au/bct1weblinks • facts about recyclable products – access Closed Loop at www.cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks • Europe’s Green Dot recycling scheme. Do you think it should be adopted in Australia? Explain why/why not. Then hold a recycling-disclosure rally in the quadrangle or playground of your school, raising student awareness and encouraging recycling. ISBN: 9781107688056 © Rasmussen, Mylonas, Beck 2012 Cambridge University Press Photocopying is restricted under law and this material must not be transferred to another party.

FACT! Waste that has previously been used as landfill (called solid recovered fuel) is now being converted to clean energy.

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Computer recycle – how green is your e-waste? Every year, over 2 million computers are dumped in landfill sites, while approximately 500 000 are recycled. Dumping computer equipment has a devastating impact on our environment. Just look at these statistics: • Used computer hardware, monitors, hard drives, circuit boards, batteries etc. contain hazardous materials, including lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and radioactive isotopes. • Every colour monitor contains approximately 2.5 kilos of lead. The

dangerous toxins associated with lead are leached from landfill into our waterways and soil, or into the atmosphere via incinerated ash. • Excessive levels of lead in our bodies result in serious health issues including cancer, learning disabilities, behavioural problems, seizures and even death. • Cadmium is a recognised carcinogenic and chromium has been shown to cause high blood pressure, liver disease and brain damage in animals. Almost 5% of e-waste is exported to third world countries where recycling methods are unsafe and unregulated. This dumping of our waste products in developing countries has resulted in an alarming increase in illnesses associated

with computer recycle carcinogens in women and children. Source: 1800ewaste: www.ewaste.com.au/ ewaste-articles/computer-recycle.

INVESTIGATE

With reference to the statistics in this article, do you think about this when you dispose of your computers or mobile phones? Take specific note of the last paragraph. Then access the video at www. cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks. Watch the video and read the article and comments. Discuss the ethical implications of the West’s e-waste. What do you, as a group, think you can do in an attempt to stop this practice?

Figure 5.16 Reduce, reuse, recycle

REDUCE

RECYCLE

Reduce • Car pool • Use renewable energy • Dispose of e-waste appropriately • Use email instead of paper documents • Eliminate disposable plates, cutlery and cups • Use paper bags instead of plastic • Turn off lights, fans, equipment, airconditioning • Set sleep mode for office equipment

REUSE

Reuse • Print back-to-back • Use the second side of used paper for draft copies • Recharge and reuse batteries • Refill water bottles • Reuse envelopes, tubes and packaging • Use rags for cleaning and rewash • Buy products made from recycled material • Give non-working equipment to repairers

Recycle • Have collection areas for cardboard • Place paper recycling containers near printers • Exchange used toners • Cut up used paper to use as notepaper • Place recycling bins for cans, bottles, plastics in eating areas • Have collection areas for batteries and mobile phones

Source: www.reusethisbag.com/reusable-bag-infographics/the-truth-about-plastic.asp.

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ENERGY

FACT! Paving slabs that convert people’s footsteps into electricity were used in the urban mall at the London Olympic site.

Governments, businesses and individuals worldwide recognise the critical impact coal and oil are having on the environment, and are developing goals to eliminate these as energy sources in the future. According to The Zero Carbon Australia Report, 100 per cent of Australia’s energy should be coming from renewable sources by 2020. As a result, a whole new industry of alternative and renewable energy sources is being developed. Queensland’s alternative energy sources include biofuels (such as ethanol and biodiesel), coal seam gas, solar, tidal, geothermal and hydrogen.

Biodiesel is fuel produced from animal or vegetable fats. Access the Zero Carbon Australia Report at www. cambridge.edu.au/ bct1weblinks.

ACTION TASK

How much power do you think Google’s products such as Gmail, YouTube, Google+ and its cloud services consume? Research this to see what is being done to reduce their carbon footprint.

Because of its climate, Australia is one of the best placed countries in the world to take advantage of solar energy. Conservative estimates by the International Energy Agency state that solar has the potential to provide five per cent of Australia’s power by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2050. To meet this, farmers are being encouraged by the federal government to convert sections of their property into a solar or wind farm so they can provide their own renewable energy and feed any surplus into the mains electricity grid. Every business and individual has a responsibility to reduce energy consumption and the best way for a business to succeed in this is to develop a work culture where everyone is involved. ACTION TASK

Research the Queensland Government’s Renewable Energy Target to see what is being done to reduce dependence on coal and oil. Then investigate what is done within your school. Prepare a report to the principal outlining possible changes that could be made to improve energy consumption.

FACT! A desktop computer used eight hours a day generates over 600 kg of greenhouse gases each year.

LAND Land pollution can be caused by a variety of sources such as the use of pesticides, mineral exploration, industrial discharges, poor agricultural practices and indiscriminate disposal of urban wastes. There are strict guidelines on land management in Australia, and governments and councils use their legislation to manage its use. One way this is being done is through environmental impact studies being undertaken before development can be undertaken. The Australian Government’s key advisory body on all matters relating to land management is the Australian Landcare Council, whose major role is to advise the government on priorities and strategies for natural resource management to achieve efficient, sustainable and equitable management of natural resources in Australia in line with the principles of ecologically sustainable development. ACTION TASK

In pairs, research a case where a company has breached the Environmental Act. Select different cases, then discuss your findings with the whole group.

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FACT! Korean researchers have discovered a way to charge mobile phones using people’s voices as they chat, leading to possibilities of converting other noises into energy.

FACT! Two US universities have developed devices to fit into shoes to capture the energy produced by walking.

FACT! A general rule of thumb for lighting is: if the light is not going to be used for 10 minutes or more, turn it off.

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WATER FACT! A dripping tap can waste up to 31 000 litres each year – more than half the volume of a backyard swimming pool!

Australia is the second driest continent in the world (Antarctica is the driest), yet Australians have one of the highest water consumption rates per capita. As water shortages continue to be a serious issue, all industries and households are required to enact procedures for managing efficient water usage. ACTION TASK

Examine your water rates bills for the past year. What did you find about water usage in your household? Identify ways of decreasing the use of water and encourage your family members to implement your plan.

Water saving tips include: • purchasing five-star rating water-use appliances/equipment • installing dual flush toilets and sensor flush control urinals • scraping rather than rinsing dishes for a dishwasher

• encouraging staff and cleaners to report leaking taps, cisterns, etc. • installing low flow aerating restrictors on water outlets. ACTION TASK

As a group, discuss how serious you believe water shortage is in Australia. What initiatives has your school implemented to minimise water wastage? Create a list of other possible actions the school and students could undertake to further minimise the waste of water.

Besides managing water consumption, taking care of waterways and oceans is of extreme importance to Australia’s ecosystems. According to Australia’s CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), it has been estimated that land-based contaminants contribute up to 80 per cent of all marine pollution and pose a major threat to the long-term health of coastal waterways.

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AIR As the world’s population continues to expand, air pollution remains a major issue for governments. A carbon tax is one attempt at trying to minimise the harmful effects of air pollutants both to human health and the planet. ACTION TASK

Access the CSIRO website at www.cambridge.edu. au/bct1weblinks and make sure the animation tab is selected to see the increase in carbon pollution over the past 30 years. Then brainstorm ideas on how businesses and individuals can reduce their carbon footprint.

Monitoring air quality is a regular practice undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help protect air quality and safeguard the health and wellbeing of all Australians. While some of the air we breathe contains natural substances, many other substances come from human activity, such as industry emissions and the use of vehicles. The main outdoor air pollutants are gases and particles such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen and sulphur dioxides. Air quality standards and goals for pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, have been set by governments and health organisations around the world. As a result, industries have a responsibility to ensure that their emissions meet legal requirements. The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) provides the community, industry and government with free information about substance emissions in Australia and ways of reducing those emissions. Internal air control is also important for businesses, as poor air quality impacts on the health and productivity of employees. Failure to keep a clean environment results in high absenteeism, increased premiums for workers’ compensation and health insurance, and the potential loss of quality employees. Good ventilation is the most important aspect of internal air quality. Some symptoms experienced by employees as a result of poor air quality include: • headaches • tiredness • asthma • poor concentration • irritation of the skin, eyes and throat • general ill health.

One of the most effective ways to improve air quality indoors is through the use of plants, which absorb carbon dioxide. At the University of Technology Sydney, researchers have produced positive results that show that indoor plants make a big impact on indoor air quality by: • reducing work stress • improving speed and accuracy at tasks • fostering a sense of identity and loyalty because employees feel cared for. More serious illnesses, such as Legionnaire’s disease, respiratory complications and cancer, may be caused by long-term exposure to poor indoor air management.

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For more information on air quality in Australia, access the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities website at www.cambridge.edu.au/ bct1weblinks.

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ACTIVITY

5.6

1 Research the Queensland Government’s initiatives in regard to sustainability. Working in pairs, each select a different area and prepare a six- to eightminute oral presentation supported by a PowerPoint presentation that includes links to relevant websites. 2 Research statistics on the impact of waste on the planet before designing a poster for display around the school. Access the My Green Australia website at www.cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks and search for ‘The ugly journey of our trash’ to get you started with ideas. 3 Access the YouTube video ‘Keep Australia Beautiful’ at www.cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks to see an experiment undertaken in Brisbane and Sydney. It is based on a similar experiment in Japan. How effective do you think this would be in encouraging people to stop littering? 4 Access the following websites at www.cambridge. edu.au/bct1weblinks: a GreenPower b SMART-Biz c Green Pages. Prepare a PowerPoint presentation on ‘green power’ that you can present to the administrators of your school. Include examples of what other businesses are doing. 5 As a class group, use the information provided in the sustainable work practices section of this chapter to create a set of questions to send to the health and safety representative at your school. (Access the sustainable practices checklist on OneStop Digital to assist in this process.) Then invite the WHS manager to address the class with responses to these questions. After the session, and in small groups, design material on sustainable work practices to add as a link for the school’s website incorporating all aspects of sustainability. Ideas could include: a series of

blogs or vlogs, interviews, articles and/or pictures. 6 Write an article for the next Office Magazine on the myths associated with sustainable work practices. Access the Energy Star and Climate Change websites at www.cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks to assist with your research. 7 Access the National Geographic website at www. cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks and undertake the water quizzes. How well did you do? Make a list of ideas that could be implemented in order to make a difference in water conservation. 8 Explore your local council or shire website to discover sustainable practices that have already been initiated in your area. a Write to your mayor to congratulate him or her on these initiatives, as well as to request further information on policies relating to specific sustainable practices. b Using a Wiki or online chat forum, develop a link with other regions to investigate whether other councils are undertaking the same or similar sustainable practices. c Access the Queensland Health Green Office Resource Guide at www.cambridge.edu.au/ bct1weblinks. Use this guide to help you examine how effective your council’s plans and actions are for reducing carbon emissions. 9 There has been controversy over coal seam gas fracking being used as a source of energy. Consider the statement: Coal seam gas is a viable option to supply cleaner power. Research this concept and prepare a 500–800 word article either supporting or disputing this concept. Justify your reasons and support them with academic referencing.

An activity on work health, safety and sustainability is available at www.cambridge.edu.au/bct1weblinks.

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