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

RMITSCHOOL OF APPLIED SCIENCES

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

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

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

It is essential that those working in hazardous areas understand and implement Occupational Health and Safety(OH&S) regulations in their workplace. This encompasses several aspects, such as the safe handling, storage andlabelling of dangerous goods and equipment. Workers must be inducted into the hazards they are likely to facebefore commencing work, or the employer is liable under WorkCover or equivalent regulations. There are many

codes of practice under a variety of regulations (see reference list, External links and PowerPoint presentation inthis module).

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

How to proceed

1. Stand at various viewpoints in your work area and record digital images to show 360-degree views.Take close-ups of any hazards or controls that you find. Hazards are situations inherently unsafe, e.g. unstable or awkward access, incompatible chemicals close by.

Controls are attempts to minimise hazards, e.g. signs to warn of dangers, containment for dangerouschemicals.

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

2. Complete the following audit forms: General laboratory safety: http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/labsafety/checklist_lab.doc

http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/forms/general_laboratory_audit_checklist Chemical safety:http://mams.rmit.edu.au/gq5p1iuy1e4s.doc Electrical safety:http://mams.rmit.edu.au/ds15n7w8pj3n.doc

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http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/labsafety/checklist_lab.dochttp://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/forms/general_laboratory_audit_checklisthttp://mams.rmit.edu.au/gq5p1iuy1e4s.dochttp://mams.rmit.edu.au/gq5p1iuy1e4s.dochttp://mams.rmit.edu.au/ds15n7w8pj3n.dochttp://mams.rmit.edu.au/ds15n7w8pj3n.dochttp://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/labsafety/checklist_lab.dochttp://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/forms/general_laboratory_audit_checklisthttp://mams.rmit.edu.au/gq5p1iuy1e4s.dochttp://mams.rmit.edu.au/ds15n7w8pj3n.doc

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3. Report hazards in a tabular format as in the table below.See Appendix 1 for the key to the terms used. This table and the material following it comes from Dr NealeJackson.

Hazard Problem Consequenc

e

Likelihoo

d

Risk Control Person

responsible

Waterspilt onfloor

Slippinghazard 3 (Moderateirreversibledisability)

B (Likely) High Elimination (mop upthe spill)

Foodfound onbench leftby student

Potentialpoisoningifconsumed

4 (Singlefatality and/orsevereirreversibledisability)

C(Possible)

High Elimination (disposeof food in bin)

Unlabeledchemicalbottle(500ml)found onbench

Cannotrecognisewhat is incontainer,thereforecannot be

used inexperiment

3 (Moderateirreversibledisability) ifused inchemical exptPossibly 4

D(Unlikely)

Medium Elimination (user tolabel bottle correctly)

Conc.

H2SO4 on

bench

Potentialcorrosion,burns,inhalation

3 (Moderateirreversibledisability)

C(Possible)

High Isolation/Engineeringcontrols + Personalprotective equipment(use in operatingfume cupboard +wear PPE)

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

Does your workplace comply with all it should? If not, what is needed to rectify the situation who is responsible for doing it?

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Appendix 1. Risk assessment terms

Risk Assessment

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

Risk Assessment Level of Risk (FROM HB436)Consequences

Likelihood I II III IV V

A M H H VH VERY HIGH

B M M H H VH

C LOW MEDIUM HIGH H H

D L L M M H

E L L M M H

Risk Assessment Consequence termsQualitative analysis: uses descriptive scales to describe magnitude, e.g. HB436.

Severity Level Health & Safety Legal

1 No medical treatment required Minor legal issues, non compliances andbreaches

2 Objective but reversible disability requiringhospitalisation

Minor legal issues, non compliances andbreaches

3 Moderate irreversible disability or impairment(30%) to one or more persons

Major breach of regulation, major litigation

5 Multiple fatalities, or single irreversible effectsto >50 persons

Significant prosecution, fines. V. seriouslitigation / class action.

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

Level Descriptor Description Frequency (~)

A Almost certain The event will occur on annual basis Once/year or more frequent

B Likely Event has occurred several times in career Once / 3 years

C Possible Event might occur once in career Once / 10 years

D Unlikely The event does occur from time to time Once / 30 years

E Rare Heard of this happening elsewhere Once / 100 years

F V. rare Have never heard of this happening Once / 1000 years

Risk ControlOHS Risks have to be treated using the Hierarchy of Control

Elimination Substitution Isolation/Engineering Controls Administrative controls Personal Protective Equipment

Hierarchy of control required by OHS regulations in all Australian jurisdictions; these are also known as safetydecision hierarchy. Refer also to the AS/NZS 4804:2001 OHS management system General guidelines on

principles, systems and supporting techniques.

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AB700 Ass 4-2-1