MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY
INSPECTION REPORT OF
PR & Marketing Unit
BD Building, level 2
F9C and E7A storerooms
Done by: Tony Dwyer & Alex Whalley
Workgroup OHS Committee
26 August 2008
3LIB CFL Occupational Health & Safety Inspection Report
Introduction
The aim of the inspection was to identify risks that may prevent the area from achieving its identified safety objective and to identify and document the internal controls which have been implemented to manage those risks and, where appropriate, to assist in the identification of appropriate strategies to reduce or mitigate those risks.
Occupational health & safety functions are a significant feature of the day to day operations of the area that may involve personnel from various other centres. Consequently, there may be a number of risks which can significantly impact the ability of the area to provide a safe working environment for staff, students and visitors. The scope of this exercise was limited to the following risks:
· Unsafe Premises – Where hazards impact on the safety of people.
· Emergency Arrangements – For any emergencies, including first aid.
· Work Practices /Systems of Work – Procedure documentation, manuals etc., including procedures and guidelines provided to students, visitors (volunteers) and contractors.
· Training – Occupational Health and Safety at all levels.
· Supervision – Of all people at the area.
As part of the preliminary risk assessment, key risk areas were identified based on an analysis of these risks and on information provided by the area Manager . The # key risk areas are summarised in Table 1 below.
Methodology
Risks were identified through interviews with key staff and independent observations.
In addition, procedural documents were examined to obtain an understanding of the current risk environment.
Analyse Risks
The scoring system outlined in the Australian/New Zealand Standard 4360:1999 “Risk Management” was applied in assessing and prioritising risks. Identified risks were given two risks scores on a scale of 1 to 5 for each – severity of consequence and likelihood of occurrence. The table can be found in the Appendix to this report.
The risk scores were assessed ignoring the effect of internal controls. This is the inherent risk. The risks were then ranked as being “critical”, “high”, “medium”, “low” or “very low”, based on the risk ranking process. The risk scores were based largely on the view of the University’s Occupational Health & Safety Manager supported by the available information.
OH&S Risk Summary
The inherent and residual risk scores represent the highest scores recorded for a risk in the key risk area. The residual risk scores represent the opinion of the Inspection Team and they are reported here as they provide a constructive basis for the development of a future audit program into the Occupational Health & Safety function.
RISK SUMMARYRef No. / Objective / Risk Description / 2008 Report
Inherent Risk / Residual Risk
1
Kathy
(Office) / To provide a healthy and safe working environment for staff, students, and visitors to the area. / None Apparent / None / None
2
Greg
(Office) / None Apparent / None / None
3
Chas
(Office) / Back issues – ergonomic chair already provided / None / None
4
Emma
(Office) / None Apparent / None / None
5
Meeting
Room 1 / Cables to board and PC untested (speak w/ METS) / Low / None
6
Robyn
(Office) / Desk needs to be moved around as it is under lights and cables are out / Medium / Low
7
Store room / None Apparent / None / None
8
Kitchen / Monitor food in fridge / High / High
9
Meeting room / Non tagged asset items / Low / None
10
Fabian
(office) / None Apparent / None / None
11
Jason
(Office) / Move boxes from floor / Low / None
12
Qinni
(Office) / None Apparent / None / None
13
Lynn
(Office) / Air conditioning too cold in office / Low / Low
14
Alison / Boxes to be moved from under desk area / Low / None
15
Fiona / None Apparent / None / None
16
Phillipa / None Apparent / None / None
17
Stephanie / None Apparent / None / None
18
Alex / None Apparent / None / None
19
Felix / None Apparent / None / None
20
Janine / None Apparent / None / None
21
Gemma / None Apparent / None / None
22
Raewyn / Ergonomic Chair required due to back issues / Medium / Medium
23
Brodie / None Apparent / None / None
24
Losalini / None Apparent / None / None
25
Philippa / None Apparent / None / None
26
Simone / None Apparent / None / None
27
Keegan / None Apparent / None / None
28
Bonnie / Tagging/testing not done on DT Printer / Low / None
29
Katherine / None Apparent / None / None
30
Samantha / None Apparent / None / None
31
Lyn / None Apparent / None / None
32
F9C
Storeroom / None Apparent / None / None
Table 1
Conclusion
· There are a few offices with boxes that need to be removed or placed against the wall and this has been dealt with.
· Raewyn has had a special ergonomic chair ordered on her behalf (from Gregory Commercial Furniture) and this should be delivered in the next couple of weeks.
· The Office of Lynn Elsey which appears to be a touch too cold is an issue that I am currently (and have been for a while now!) chasing up with CBRichard Ellis who own the building that we reside in. (OFM has no authority on these matters within the BD Building)
· I have sent an email and called Walther at METS requesting to have the checking/tagging done on all electrical equipment on the floor. Whether METS actually perform this work or simply arrange it on our behalf remains to be seen but I should have all the necessary checking and tagging done by next inspection
· The Corner office that is currently occupied on a temporary basis by Robyn needs to have the desk turned around as it is not only blocking the entrance slightly, it is also exposing too many wires at the side and the fluorescent in the ceiling ends up shining straight down onto the monitor. This will be turned around as soon as is convenient for Robyn and myself, thus resolving both the lighting and wiring issues.
· All the previous issues relating to the F9C storeroom have been resolved. The entrance/exit has been cleared and tape on the floor marks the area to remain clear. All existing boxes, crates and packages are neatly stacked against walls and are not a tripping hazard.
Page 3
Occupational Health & Safety Risk Review
Risk Register
Ref
/ The Risk / Consequences of Event Happening / Initial Risk / Risk Control Plan / Assessment of Risks with Control / Level of RiskConsequence / Likelihood / Consequence / Likelihood
5
9 / Electrical items throughout the area were found to be un tagged.
n Possible exposure to electric shock. / Catastrophic / Possible / CRITICAL / Arrange for testing and tagging as a matter of urgency / Minor / Unlikely / LOW
6 / Desk to be relocated within office. Possible trip hazard and lighting issues / High / Possible / MEDIUM / Arrange to have table moved around and cables/lighting sorted out / Insignificant / Unlikely / None
22 / Various staff requested ergonomic equipment – gel mousepads and footrests
§ Risk of RSI and other injuries / Moderate / Possible / LOW / Managers to arrange purchase of equipment / Insignificant / Unlikely / None
8 / Food items in fridge can cause illness, both long and short term / Moderate / Possible / MEDIUM / Constant monitoring of food items and education among staff / Minor / Unlikely / None
Ref
/ The Risk / Consequences of Event Happening / Initial Risk / Risk Control Plan / Assessment of Risks with Control / Level of RiskConsequence / Likelihood / Consequence / Likelihood
11
14 / Tripping hazard due to cluttered floor space from boxes / Minor / Unlikely / LOW / Clear space on floor and organise space for storage of boxed material / Insignificant / Rare / VERY LOW
13 / Air conditioning too cold in office / Insignificant / Unlikely / LOW / Organise with CBRE (building management) to have the temperature adjusted to a comfortable working level / Insignificant / Rare / None
Page 3
Fauna Park Occupational Health & Safety Risk Review
Appendix I Risk Assessment Tables
Risk Assessment Matrix
Risk rating as a function of consequence and likelihood scores.
Consequence / 5 / MEDIUM / HIGH / CRITICAL / CRITICAL / CRITICAL4 / LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH / CRITICAL / CRITICAL
3 / LOW / LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH / CRITICAL
2 / VERY LOW / LOW / LOW / MEDIUM / HIGH
1 / VERY LOW / VERY LOW / LOW / LOW / MEDIUM
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Likelihood
Consequence Criteria
The descriptions below are indicative only and provide a guide to relative consequence.
Rating / Score / CriteriaCatastrophic / 5 / · Council or external agency instigates an inquiry or legal action.
· Significant damage to the University’s reputation
· Widespread, ongoing, negative media coverage
· Legal action involving major criminal charges and/or civil suits with possible fines and costs exceeding $1 million
· Multiple deaths and injuries
· Severe environmental damage
· Long term cessation of core activities (months)
· Destruction or long-term unavailability of infrastructure, systems and resources directly impacting operations
· Financial loss not covered by insurance (more than $5 million)
Major / 4 / · Widespread negative media coverage
· Legal action involving criminal charges and/or civil suits with possible fines and costs exceeding $5000,000
· Single death and/or multiple injuries
· Short term cessation of core activities (weeks)
· Financial loss not covered by insurance ($2.5 - $5 million)
Moderate / 3 / · Unfavourable media coverage
· Injuries requiring off campus medical treatment
· Significant disruption to core activities (days)
· Financial loss not covered by insurance ($500,000 - $2.5 million)
Minor / 2 / · Limited unfavourable media coverage
· Injuries requiring on campus medical treatment
· Short-term disruption to core activities (days)
· Long-term disruption to non-core activities (weeks)
· Financial loss not covered by insurance ($50,000 - $500,000)
Insignificant / 1 / · Unlikely to have an impact on the University’s public image
· Minor injuries
· Minimal impact on operations
· Minimal financial loss (less than $50,000)
Likelihood Criteria
Rating / Score / DescriptionAlmost Certain / 5 / High likelihood of risk event happening several times within the next year.
Probable / 4 / A risk event is likely to occur more than once in the next 12 months.
Possible / 3 / Would not surprise if risk event occurred, and will probably occur at some time in the coming 2 to 5 years.
Unlikely / 2 / The risk event could occur at some time but is unlikely.
Rare / 1 / Within the realms of possibility but extremely unlikely to occur. Occurs once in 10 years.
Page 3