The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts. |
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Definition of hazard: | A ‘hazard’ is something with the potential to cause injury or disease to people, damage to property or disruption to productivityHazards arise, for example, from workplace environment; use of plant for example and equipment; poor work design; inappropriate systems, procedures and/or human behaviour |
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Legislative requirements for manual handling and WHS consultation/participation vary in different states and will include: | National Work Health and Safety ModelCurrent relevant State/territory WHS legislationRelevant state/territory Manual Handling Code of Conduct |
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Examples of manual handling hazards in the aged care and disabilities sectors include: | Carrying trays and other itemsLifting tasks such as moving a person in bed, assisting to stand, transfer to chair or wheelchair, lifting objectsPushing pulling tasks such as pushing trolleys, wheel chairs, shower chairs, dressing clientsReaching and postural tasks such as feeding a person, showeringRestraining tasks |
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The risk factors for manual handling are influenced by: | Duration and frequency of the task Environmental conditions such as underfoot conditions, lighting, heatForces exertedIn people-handling the risk is also affected by the: ability of client to support/control part/whole of the bodypredictability in movement and behaviourspain levelsability to follow instructionsany equipment attached to the client e.g. catheters, IVs etc client clothingMovement undertakenPostures adopted |
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Manual handling equipment may include: | Client hoistsOther manual handling assistive devicesSlide sheets Standing lifters |
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Sources of risk to personal safety: | Alcohol and/or drug useBehaviours of concernPersonal risks may arise from clients, client family, the public or animalsRisk environments may be in access to work (e.g. car parking arrangements, access to private home) and in carrying out work Situations with a higher risk of threat and client related factors may be identified from incident reports, care plans, case management meetingsWorking new, isolated and/or potentially unstable environments |
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Examples of workplace hazards in aged care, home and community care and disabilities sectors (other than manual handling) may include: | Biological hazards including body fluids; contaminated food; soiled clothing and linen; clinical waste; syringes and other 'sharps'; etcChemicals (e.g. toxic or hazardous substances, gases and liquids under pressure, includes cleaning chemicals)Electrical hazards related to use of equipment, faulty wiringEquipment including suitability for purpose and fitness for usePersonal threat by (e.g. through behaviours of concern) clients and/or visitors Work organisation issues such as shift work or irregular hours/on callWork-related environment (e.g. underfoot, lighting, space, noise, air quality, furniture/fittings, car parking etc)Work-related stress |
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Standard precautions include: | Appropriate reprocessing and storage of reusable instrumentsAseptic techniquePersonal hygiene practices especially washing and drying hands (e.g. before and after client contact)Safe disposal of sharps and other clinical wasteSafe handling of sharpsSurface cleaning and management of blood and body fluid spillsTechniques to limit contaminationUse of personal protective equipment |
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Additional precautions may include: | Additional use of personal protective equipmentDedicated equipment (e.g. to each client or as appropriate to work function)Special ventilation requirements |
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Organisation procedures for managing risks, including those related to manual handling may be: | Client assessment documents and care plans Communication, consultation and issue resolution proceduresHazard management documents include policies and procedures on specific hazards as well as hazard and incident reporting (including follow up to sharps incidents) and investigation, workplace inspections, maintenance etc Hazard management policies and procedures (these may be integrated with quality, care or other documents or be separated as WHS policies and procedures)Human resources management procedures such as harassment and grievance procedures, induction programs, team meetings, management of performance levels, alcohol and drug policiesJob procedures and work instructions, including medications policy and proceduresOther related procedures including waste management, securityPost incident/injury management such as first aid, critical incident debriefing, compensation and return to workStrategies for reducing the amount of manual handling required and manual handling risk Supporting people with behaviours of concern |
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Work instructions may be: | In a community languageIn EnglishProvided visually e.g. video, WHS signs, symbols and other pictorial presentation, etc.VerbalWork instructions include care plans and there should be an awareness of their role in risk management especially in risks associated with manual handling and behaviours of concern Written |
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Designated personnel for WHS referrals may be: | Elected Health and Safety Representative/employee representative EmployerHealth and Safety committeeOther personnel with WHS responsibilitiesSupervisor |
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Examples of WHS issues which may be raised by workers with designated personnel may include: | Clarification on understanding of WHS policies and proceduresCommunication and consultation processes, including carer input to care plansEffectiveness of risk controls in placeFollow up to reports and feedbackHazards identified WHS impact of the changing condition of clients Problems encountered in managing risks associated with hazards, in particular, manual handling (e.g. availability and appropriateness of handling and mobility equipment) and behaviours of concern Training needs |
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Examples of contributions may include: | Attendance at meetings Behaviour that contributes to a safe working environment which includes following WHS proceduresIdentifying and reporting risks and hazardsInput to care plansListening to the ideas and opinions of others in the teamRecommendations on changes to work processes, equipment or practicesSharing opinions, views, knowledge and skillsUsing equipment according to guidelines and operating manuals |
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Examples of participative arrangements may include: | Documented issue resolution processesEasy access to relevant written workplace informationFormal and informal WHS meetingsHealth and safety committeesMeetings called by Health and Safety RepresentativesOther committees such as consultative planning and purchasingOther means and processes for raising requests and concerns as well as contributing suggestions and reports to managementRegular information sessions (using clear and understandable language) on existing or new WHS issuesTeam meeting and case management meetings |
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Risk control in the work area may include: | Application of the hierarchy of risk control, namely:Level 1 controlsEliminate hazardsLevel 2 controlsSubstitute the hazard with something saferIsolate the hazard from peopleUse engineering controlsLevel 3 controlsUse administrative controlsUse personal protective equipment (PPE) |
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Controlling manual handling risks in the work area may include: | Changes to the load or clientChanges to work organisation or work practices Changes to workplace layoutMinimising amount of handling Provision of equipmentTask-specific training |
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Report hazards in the work areamay be verbal or written and may include: | Face-to-faceMemosNotesPhone messagesSpecially designed report forms |
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Basic home fire safety includes knowledge of: | Behaviour that may contribute to fire injury and/or fatalityHigh fire risk groupsOptimum placement of smoke alarmsReferring client for smoke alarm installation and maintenanceRole of a working smoke alarm Smoke alarm testing and cleaningTypes of smoke alarms |
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