OHS
Newsletter May 2000
Electrical Appliance Liaison People &endash; Health Sciences
The electrical appliance safety liaison people for the Faculty
of Health Sciences are:
| Sturt buildings |
Tom Benson |
| Medicine |
Dr Tadija Petronijevic |
Benefits of Massage
Massage can help you to relax and can ease aches, pains,
tension and headaches.
Elaine Davies (RN, MN) provides massage in the Health and
Counselling Services rooms on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Elaine
has provided the following information on the benefits of
massage.
- Many people find that massage reduces feelings of stress.
They can think more clearly and work through problems more
easily when they feel valued, nurtured and relaxed.
- Massage can help to restore health and energy.
- Relaxation massage is a smooth flowing style that promotes
general relaxation, improves circulation and range of movement,
and relieves muscular tension.
The Occupational Health and Safety Unit is now offering one
free half hour massage for any staff who call Health and Counselling
to book (phone 12118). This is a limited offer: Book now.
General Staff need to attend the Health and Counselling rooms
during lunch time or take a flexi time break to take up this
offer.
Other "well-being" offerings
The Sports Centre provides:
Other training offerings
The following sessions have been arranged by OH&S this
year:
- Radiation Safety: 1 session in February
- Back care & Manual Handling: two sessions in March
(requested by staff from Human Resources Division and Buildings
& Property Division &endash; YOU TOO CAN REQUEST THIS!)
- First Aid training for nominated staff members
- Supervisor Web Based OH&S Training Package: 20 completed
the package in February/March this year.
- Eye strain and computers (one hour presentation and time
for questions).
The 1 hour eye strain sessions were conducted on Monday 17
April and Tuesday 18 April in Room 1305 Physical Sciences
Building, Room 224 Social Sciences North and Room N220 Sturt
Building.
If you missed the eye strain session and want it repeated
later this year ask Kerry (13117) in the OH&S Unit: minimum
of 10 people per session.
Dates have not been set for the following, but will be
published soon:
- Radiation Safety: a repeat of the February session for
those who missed that session
- Feldenkrais: gentle stretching & relaxation movements
&endash; half hour at lunch times.
See the Staff Development & Training Program Booklet
for other OH&S training details.
Please ask if you need specific training for any tasks
with OH&S implications &endash; lifting, repetition strain,
chemical or physical hazards.
Posture is important
Your posture can affect how you feel by the end of the
day.
You must adjust your office furniture so that you can keep
your wrists straight while typing &endash; typing with your
wrists and elbows lower than your fingers stresses the tendons
and can put pressure on the main nerve of your hand.
Position your chair high enough so that your elbows are even
with, or slightly higher than, your keyboard while you type.
For more information see the OH&S Web page:
http://www.flinders.edu.au/OHSW/Ergobook/EB-Index
Jennie Cumming, Head OH&S Unit
Electrical Testing and; Another Reason Why
A major fast food chain was recently fined a total of $310,000
following the death of a 19 year old university student in
Wollongong.
Michael Johnson died when he came into contact with a faulty
live cable while cleaning a grill in the kitchen.
During the case Judge Michael Walton said a combination of
"a large number of young, inexperienced and vulnerable people"
and dangerous equipment "must enhance the seriousness" of
OHS breaches. He went on to say the case "compels the imposition
of a sentence which would attract the attention of other people
or corporations operating enterprises with similar features
to the necessity of vigilantly ensuring the safety of young
and inexperienced workers".
We need to protect ourselves, co-workers and students alike.
When using electrical equipment, especially items which are
portable, give it a quick visual inspection before plugging
it in and operating it.
Look for:
- Equipment free from obvious external damage;
- Component defects: accessories, connectors, plugs or outlet
sockets;
- Supply Cords: inner cords not exposed, external sheaths
not cut, abraded or damaged;
- Flexible cords effectively anchored;
- Powerboards &endash; should have a warning indicating
max. load to be connected - visible and legible;
- Security/Alignment of any control knobs;
- Covers/guards are secure;
- Mechanical safety facilities/devices are in working order
(e.g. automatic cut-outs);
- Ventilation inlets or exhausts are unobstructed;
- Cords are not tangled and do not constitute a tripping
hazard;
- Is the environment detrimental to the safe use of electrical
equipment; and remember:
- Do not use double adaptors.
If you have any doubts get the equipment checked over by
the faculty/school technician.
For further help or advice contact: Alan
Walker: OH&S Unit &endash;ph 12094.
Slips, Trips and Falls
The OH&S Unit has recently received a number of Accident
Report Forms concerning slips on food dropped in the refectory.
The refectory staff do endeavour to keep the area free of
this problem, cleaning up as soon as possible, and they have
made changes to the packaging of food items. However they
can be very busy especially at lunch time and may not notice
the odd chip etc.
Please be vigilant when travelling through the area: if you
spot any food debris on the floor, make one of the refectory
personnel aware of it so they can deal with it.
We also receive reports of people slipping on coffee spilt
on floors in corridors and on stairs. If you see a spill in
your area please wipe it up.
For further information contact Alan Walker:
Technical Assistant - OH&S Unit ph 12094.
Attention all Academic staff members &endash; have you done
your OH&S Web-Based Training?
All academic staff members are 'supervisors' under the terms
of the Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act, 1986.
This means that academic staff have particular responsibilities
in relation to that Act.
The University is required to ensure that all supervisors
understand their responsibilities and complete the on-line
Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare training.
Find the interactive Web based OH&S training package
via the OH&S Home Page
Jennie Cumming, Head, OH&S Unit, Ph
13703
New Regulations Issued
In November 1999 WorkCover issued new OH&S Regulations.
If you need a copy please call Chris in the OH&S Unit
on 13024.
A complete copy of the new Regulations as well as Codes of
Practice, Guidelines and pamphlets can be downloaded from
the WorkCover Website at: www.workcover.sa.gov.au
Jennie Cumming, Head, OH&S Unit, Ph
13703
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