Briefing Document: HLTWHS001 Participate in Workplace Health and Safety

Document Version: Based on HLTWHS001 – Participate in workplace health and safety Learner Resource, version 2.0, produced 22 September 2022 by Precision RTO Resources.

Purpose: This briefing document summarises the key themes, facts and ideas presented in the provided learner resource for the HLTWHS001 unit of competency. It aims to provide a concise overview of workplace health and safety principles and practices for workers.

1. Introduction & Context

Unit Overview: HLTWHS001 is a unit focused on the skills and knowledge required for workers to participate in safe work practices to ensure their own health and safety and that of others. The unit applies to all workers who need WHS knowledge, whether under supervision or with individual responsibility.
"This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for workers to participate in safe work practices to ensure their own health and safety, and that of others."
Legal Framework: The skills in this unit must be applied according to Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
"The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice."
Unit Structure: The learner resource is divided into four main elements:
Follow safe work practices.
Implement safe work practices.
Contribute to safe work practices in the workplace.
Reflect on own safe work practices.
Assessment: Assessment will require access to a supervisor, manager or assessor to verify competency through observation of project or workplace tasks.
2. Chapter 1: Follow Safe Work Practices

Key Responsibility: Workers have a responsibility to identify, report and take action to minimise or eliminate workplace hazards.
"As a worker in any workplace, you have a responsibility to everyone there. You must identify and report workplace hazards. You must also take action to minimise or eliminate them."
Duty of Care: Workers have a legal obligation (duty of care) to protect others from harm.
"Duty of care is your legal obligation to protect others from harm."
WHS Legislation & Regulations: Each state and territory has its own WHS legislation and regulations. (Specific acts and regulations are listed for each). Model WHS Act and Regulations exist alongside codes of practice, which provide guidance on achieving health and safety standards. Codes are not laws but practical guides.
"The model WHS Act and Regulations have a counterpart model code of practice... It is important to note that approved codes of practice are not laws. The codes are practical guides to achieving the standards of health and safety required under the model WHS Act and Regulations."
State/Territory WHS Authorities: Each state/territory has a WHS authority responsible for implementing, regulating and enforcing WHS laws. (Websites provided).
Worker Rights and Responsibilities:Workers have rights related to work conditions, non-discrimination, and trade union activities.
Workers have responsibilities including: taking reasonable care of their own health and safety, following instructions, using PPE, and reporting hazards.
Employer Rights and Responsibilities: Employers have rights to manage employees and make changes to workplace procedures, but are also responsible for providing a safe working environment, training, equipment and resolving WHS issues.
"Your employer is responsible for effective and compliant operation and delivery of services. To meet this responsibility, they have the right to: Initiate, renew, suspend and terminate employees based on legal grounds… Expect adequate work performance… Make changes to workplace policies and procedures."
Health and Safety Policies: Policies should cover the "whole person" approach including social, mental and physical well-being and must reduce risks of injury and illness.
Hazard Management: A three-part process of identifying hazards, assessing risks and controlling risks.
"Hazard management is a three-part process. This involves the following: Identifying hazards, Assessing risks, Controlling risks."
Workplace Hazards: Arise from various sources, including:
Work tasks (e.g. manual handling, repetitive movements).
Work environment (e.g. slips, trips, falls, poor lighting).
Equipment and substances (e.g. chemicals, electricity).
Hazardous Manual Tasks: State/territory guidelines and legislation are provided (Specific acts/regulations provided). Recommendations include using proper lifting techniques, avoiding overreaching, ensuring proper storage and equipment usage.
Chemicals: Safe handling requires reading labels, following directions on the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and using PPE. MSDS contains information on hazards, first aid, precautions, safe handling, storage, and emergency contact details.
"An MSDS tells you about a hazardous substance and how to use it safely... Ensure you know where the MSDS are stored in your workplace."
Infection Control: The spread of infection occurs through the transfer of pathogens. It's vital to follow procedures, wash hands, use PPE, and address hazards.
"The spread of infection happens when pathogens are transferred from one person to another."
Types of Hazards: Physical, chemical, ergonomic and biological hazards, described with examples.
Hazard Identification: Through physical inspections and asking questions about the work environment. Act immediately to address hazards that can be easily resolved. Report those that require more intervention.
"The common way to identify hazards in the workplace is through physical inspections... By reporting any identified hazards to your supervisor, you will help yourself and others in the workplace to avoid risks of harm."
Hazard Record: Includes details about date, time, location, hazard description, risk assessment, and action plan.
Risk Assessment: Process of determining the likelihood and impact of a hazard occurring. Utilises a risk matrix (provided) with varying levels of risk based on likelihood and impact.
Emergency Procedures: Specific procedures are outlined for various emergencies including:
Fire (evacuation, roll call).
Medical emergency (first aid, dial 000).
Bomb threats (do not hang up, record information).
Other emergencies (spillages, intruders).
3. Chapter 2: Implement Safe Work Practices

Policies, Procedures and Practices:Policies: Give a framework for decision-making and ensure consistent practice.
Procedures: Detail the actions to adhere to policies and their implementation process.
Practices: Are the methods followed to meet the requirements of the policies and procedures.
WHS Procedures: Look for guidelines related to health and safety practices, including: ergonomic requirements, critical incidents, medication administration, emergency response, and infection control.
Implementation of WHS Procedures: Steps include: identifying the task, identifying relevant WHS procedures, and performing the task according to those procedures.
Work Instructions: Provide a sequence of steps for completing a task efficiently and safely. Developed by experienced staff considering hazard inspection, risk assessment, PPE requirements, tools, equipment, work sequences. Verbal instructions from supervisors are also a key source of information.
Safe Housekeeping Practices:General workplace: Keep clean, tidy and clear of obstacles. Dispose of rubbish correctly.
Kitchen area: Keep clean, store food correctly, clean spills.
Toilets and bathrooms: Clean daily, clean spills immediately, clean all surfaces.
4. Chapter 3: Contribute to Safe Work Practices in the Workplace

Raising WHS Issues: Report issues to designated persons (e.g. supervisors, health and safety representatives). This includes reporting potential hazards, incidents and suggestions for improvements to WHS practices.
"As a worker, you play a role in raising WHS issues. This involves informing your supervisors, managers or health and safety representatives of any hazards or risks you observe in your workplace."
Workplace Inspections: Inspections can be internal or by WHS inspectors.
Internal: Aim to identify and address hazards before they cause harm.
External (WHS Inspectors): Monitor compliance, investigate complaints and assist in dispute resolution. Workers must cooperate and provide assistance during inspections.
Consultative Activities: Workplace safety meetings are an important opportunity to contribute to safe work practices. They encourage the sharing of information, feedback and perspectives of all workers.
Contributing to Policies and Procedures: Workers can suggest additions or changes to WHS policies and procedures. Policy development involves internal/external reviews, drafts, trials, evaluations and endorsement.
Maintaining a Safe Work Area:Use the correct equipment for the job.
Keep your work area tidy and clear of obstacles.
Store items appropriately.
Adhere to manual handling safety procedures.
Ensure safety of electrical equipment, chemicals and other materials.
Safety Signage: Recognise the meanings of safety signs including emergency equipment, dangerous goods and hazards.
Use of Equipment:Use equipment according to manufacturer's instructions
Maintain equipment and report faults.
Risk Management: Involves hazard identification, risk assessment, risk control, and review of effectiveness.
Psychosocial Hazards (Stress): Workplace stress can lead to negative physical, emotional and cognitive effects. Identify factors such as job demands, poor support, lack of control, violence, environmental conditions, isolation.
Stress Management: Recognise symptoms of stress (behavioural, emotional, physical, cognitive), seek help when required, and address contributing factors. Taking breaks is important.
Conflict Resolution: Negotiation involves finding the best solution for all involved parties. Methods include: Avoidance, Accommodating, Competing, Compromise and Collaboration.
Fatigue: Caused by prolonged activity, sleep loss, shift work, environmental factors, and more.
Self Reflection: Use the risk management process as a self-reflection tool to address levels of stress and fatigue.
Designated Persons (Supervisors, HR Officers): Understand their responsibilities in addressing stress and fatigue for employees.
5. Key Points & Takeaways

WHS is a legal and ethical responsibility for all workers and employers.
Proactive hazard identification and risk assessment is crucial to prevent incidents.
Following procedures, policies, and work instructions is essential.
Open communication and consultation are vital to create a safe workplace.
Personal well-being, including managing stress and fatigue, impacts safety.
Workers have rights and responsibilities in ensuring a safe workplace.
6. Conclusion

This briefing document provides a foundational overview of the HLTWHS001 unit. It is crucial to delve deeper into specific procedures and legislation relevant to individual workplaces and job roles. Workers must be actively engaged in health and safety practices to maintain a safe and productive environment for themselves and others.

Let me know if you have any further requests!