Information sheet

Occupational health and safety procedures

A hazard is anything that could hurt you or someone else.

Assess the risk

It means working out how likely it is that a hazard will harm someone and how serious the
harm could be.

Make the changes

For example you can pick up things from the floor and put them away to eliminate a trip
hazard.

Common hazards

A hazard is a situation in the workplace that has the potential to harm the health and safety
of people or to damage plant and equipment.

Physical hazards

One of the most common physical hazards when working on electronic equipment always
be alert.

Chemical hazards

Always read the warnings and instructions on the label.

Electric shock hazard

Inside computers and electronic equipment there is a range of voltages from 3.

Safety guidelines

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 Protect people from injury. Protect equipment from damage. Protect the environment from
contamination.

Fire safety guidelines

Know the location of fire extinguishers how to use them and which to use for electrical fires
and for combustible fires. Find an escape route in case a fire gets out of control . Know how to
contact emergency services quickly. Keep the workplace clean . keep most solvents in a
separated area.

Practice occupational safety and health procedures

Use personal protective equipment like wearing of gloves, mask. Dispose of used PPe safely
to reduce the problem of disease. Follow ways to control hazards like learning the right to lerft
heavy objects and discover to manage stress.

Hazards common in nurse homes or day care.

1. Physical hazards
Common physical hazards are: heat, noise and vibration
Other physical agents: lasers, x- Rays, other forms of radiations used on patients.
2. Biological hazard
The patients residents and clients may be caring germs of which they are unaware.
Workers may unknowingly be exposed to viruses ( e.g. hepatitis B, bacteria etc).
The work environmental also introduces biological hazards such as need.
3. Chemical hazards
Examples of hazards chemicals: desinfectants, antiseptics, detergents, cleaners and
anesthetic gases. Even some drugs administered to patients can be harmful to staff.
4. Ergonomic hazards : these include: poor lighting. Improperly adjusted workstations and
chairs.
Frequent lighting ; poor posture; repeating the same movements over and over. Having
to use too much force, especially if you have to do it frequently. These activities cause
strains and sprains.

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5. Psychological hazards
Any hazard that affects the mental level being or mental health of the worker and may
have physical effects.

Issues or concerns included in psychological hazards : fatigue and hours of work;

technological changes, stress and critical incidents stress; bullying including cyber
bullying harassment; workplace violence and abuse working alone.

Effects of hazards in the workplace

This includes any substance material, process, practice and others that can cause harm
or adverse health effect to a person.
Workplace Example of hazard Example of harm caused
Thing knife
Substance Benzene Leukemia
Source of energy: condition wet floor slips, falls

Why are safety policies and procedures important to you ?

Policies and procedures are the strategic link between the company vision and its day –
to- day operations. So why is this important to you? Simply , well-written business
policies and procedures allow employees to clearly understand their roles and
responsibilities within predefined limits.
It’s incumbent on all organizations to proactively identify and investigate potentially
dangerous or harmful situations. Written policies and procedures are important tools for
preventing losses and defending your organization in legal proceedings should they
occur.
Ideally, employees and volunteers should be asked to sign off or otherwise
acknowledge their receipt and understanding of your organization’s policies and
procedures. Basically policies and procedures allow management to guide operations

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without constant management intervention. And constant intervention equates to
increase operating expenses that ultimately detract your company’s profitability.
Policies are general guidelines that regulate employee actions in a company.

Procedures are customary methods of handling activities and can be more specific than
policies.

Types of policies
Safety policies provide several types of information that new and established
employees need to know. New employees need to understand such factors as dress
requirements, breaks , practices, working hours, electronic equipment use, treatment of
company property and confidential information.
All employees must understand policies in regards to vacation, sick time, leaving
early, holiday pay, medical leaves and benefits. Supervisors and manager have policies
that explain discipline processes, coaching and helping employees.
This is a relationship between policies and procedures. For each clearly defined
policy, there needs to be a written communication on how to apply the policy, whom it
affects and who is charge.
Policies and procedures need to be accessible to all employees. Some companies
develop manuals or handbooks to provide to employees.
Other companies may keep the information in a soft package accessible by computer.
Some policies required by law
Some policies are required based on legal responsibility. Like companies provide
a work environment that is free from any form. Based on this requirement, some
companies have established a ,, zero tolerance,,
What is a policy and why is it important ?
A policy is predetermined course of action, which is established to provide a
guide toward accepted business strategies and objectives. In other words it is a direct
link between an organization and vision and their day- to- day operations. Policies

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identify the key activities and provide a general strategy to decision- makers on how to
handle issues as they arise. This is accomplished by providing the reader with limits and
a choice of alternatives that can be used to ,, guide,, their decision making process as
they attempt to overcome problems.

What is a procedure and why is it important ?

The ultimate goal of every ,, procedure,, is to provide the reader with a clear
and easily understood plan of action required to carry out or implement a policy. A well-
written procedure will also help eliminate common misunderstandings by identifying for
responsibilities and establishing boundaries for the jobholders. Good procedures
actually allow managers to control events in advance and prevent the organization and
employees from making costly mistakes.

What is the difference between policies and procedures:

Policies: Are general in nature
Identify company rules
Explain why they exist
Tells when the rule applies
Describes who it covers
Shows how the rule is enforced
Describes the consequences
Are normally describes using simple sentences
Procedures : Identify specific actions
Explain when to take the actions
Describes alternatives
Shows emergency and procedures
Includes warning and cautions
Give examples

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 Shows how to complete forms safety, legal liabilities, regulatory requirement
or issues that have serious consequences. A few ,, critical,, signs that your policies and
procedures need to be reviewed. These clues could include: more staff questions on
normal operations or a feeling of general confusion within a department or division.
Employees may also be demonstrating inconsistency in their job performance and there
may be an increase in the workforce’s stress levels.
What are the benefits of policies and procedures. Now that we have a better
understanding of policies and procedures, let’s take a look at the major benefits they
provide.
First employees are provided with information that allows them freedom to
carry out their job and make decisions within defined boundaries.
Second employees understand the constrains of their job without using a trial
and error approach as key points are visible in well- written policies and procedures.
Third policies and procedures enable the work force to clearly understand
individual team responsibilities thus saving time and resources. Everyone is working off
the same page; employees can get the ,, official,, word on how they should go about
their tasks quickly and easily.
Fourth clearly written policies and procedures allow managers to exercise
control by exception rather than micro- manage their staff.