Three simple steps
Every employee has a duty of care to:
take care to protect their own safety and health and that of others co-operate with their employer on safety and health matters report to the employer any situation at the workplace that could be a hazard, and that they cannot correct themselves follow safety instructions and training provided use and look after the protective equipment provided.
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Source: WorkSafe Western Australia
These five areas of responsibility need to be put into practice every day and for every task that is carried out in the workplace.
A simple three-step procedure based on the ThinkSafe Sam Steps from WorkSafe Western Australia will help you fulfill your duty of care and all you need to do is ask yourself three easy questions.
Ask yourself:
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STEP 1 - SPOT THE HAZARDS
Hazards can happen anywhere and anytime. Check out Loser Lenny.
In the workplace, this is as simple as being on the look out for things that may cause injury or harm to a person, for example, pesticides, lifting heavy loads and operating machinery.
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STEP 2 - ASSESS THE RISK
Let's look at Loser Lenny to see if there's something in everyday life where failing to assess the risks before taking an action can have severe consequences.
In fact, crossing a road is a good example of taking the appropriate precautions. What should have Lenny done? Let's have a look.
As Lenny has just demonstrated, taking appropriate precautions like crossing on a green light at a pedestrian crossing or looking right, left and then right again to make sure there is no threat from traffic, reduces or eliminates the risk of injury to yourself and others.
In the workplace, this step involves thinking about not only the possibility that the hazard could actually harm someone and how seriously they could be hurt but also if you have had enough training to work safely with the hazard.
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STEP 3 - MAKE THE CHANGES
Step three involves actually doing something about making the hazard safe and reducing the risk of injury or harm. Sometimes it is not possible to get rid of the hazard; instead you need to ask your employer to control it to make it less dangerous. There are six ways you can make changes:
remove the hazard replace the hazard with something else (substance or work practice) separate the hazard from people with the use of screens or safety barriers, or find another place away from people use safeguards for tools, equipment and machinery or install ventilation follow safety rules or work procedures (includes training and supervision) use personal protective clothing and equipment.
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