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  WELCOME TO THE CHOICEONE WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY (WHS) INDUCTION

  The objective of this induction is to ensure that ChoiceOne provides employees with relevant Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) information, instruction and training. 

  This induction should take approximately 15-20 mins and there will be some tests to confirm understanding.  

  To get the most from this induction, please take the time to:

  • Read each section carefully.
  • Take the time to study each question.

  If you experience issues with this induction, please contact your consultant.

  
  

  To get started, please enter your name and email address below:

• Name*
  First Last
• Email

• ChoiceOne Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) Policy

  ChoiceOne is committed to achieving the highest performance in occupational safety and health with the aim of creating and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment throughout its businesses with the objective of Zero Harm to our employees, contractors and visitors.

  
  

  Consistent with this the Company will:
  

  • Seek continuous improvement in its workplace health and safety performance taking into account evolving community expectations, management practices, scientific knowledge and technology;
  • Comply with all applicable laws, regulations and standards and where adequate laws do not exist, adopt and apply standards that reflect the Company’s commitment to health and safety;
  • Involve employees and contractors in the improvement of workplace health and safety performance;
  • Train and hold individual employees accountable for their area of responsibility;
  • Manage risk by implementing management systems to identify, assess, monitor and control hazards and by reviewing performance;
  • Ensure that ChoiceOne employees, contractors and visitors are informed of and understand their obligations in respect of this policy;
  • Communicate openly with employees, government and the community on workplace health and safety issues; and contribute to the development of relevant workplace health and safety policy, legislation and regulations; and
  • Support relevant workplace health and safety research.

  Marg Van Heurck

  Chief Executive Officer

• WHS LEGISLATION

  The previous laws around occupational safety and health, or ‘OSH’ as many of us know it, have been around for decades. The ‘OSH Act’ was first introduced in 1984 and has been supported by other legislation around specific health and safety measures related to mines and petroleum.

  The Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (‘WHS Act’) replaced all of these and brought WA workplaces under a single WHS Act from March 2022. You can find out about the full Act by reading

  • WHS Act
  To ensure your understanding of your obligations please watch the video at
  • Introduction to the Work Health and Safety Act 2020

• DUTY OF CARE

  The WHS Act refers to PCBU's i.e. an individual or organisation conducting a business or undertaking. The Act stipulates that PCBU's have a duty of care to do what is 'reasonably practicable' to ensure health and safety in the workplace including:

  • providing and maintaining a healthy and safe environment and safe systems of work;
  • Ensuring workers are properly trained;
  • Acting upon incidents; and
  • Reviewing control measures.
  
  

  EMPLOYEES also have a duty of care under the Act to do all that is reasonably practicable to:

  • Ensure their own safety and health at work;
  • Comply with all reasonable instructions given by the PCBU in regards to work health and safety (this may include reporting incidents, report unsafe acts and conditions and maintaining PPE).

• 1) An employee's duty of care covers -*
  • A - Themselves
  • B - Other workers
  • C - Both themselves and other workers

• INCIDENT REPORTING

  For the purpose of incident prevention, it is important to report all incidents. This also applies to an illness that may have been caused or worsened during the course of employment.

  This information can be used to identify, assess, control, monitor and review safety and health problems.

  An INCIDENT is an unplanned/unexpected event, such as an illness, injury or near miss which involves a ChoiceOne Employee, Recipient of Care, Visitor, Client or Contractor in the work environment.

  This incident outcome can result in injury, damage or have had no effect at all but had a POTENTIAL for harm/damage to people, processes/production, the environment or equipment.

  NOTE: ChoiceOne employees are required to notify their Consultant of the circumstances of an incident as soon as possible after the event.

  
  

  PROCEDURE

  All workers shall report to their ChoiceOne Consultant as soon as possible all:

  • Work related injury
  • Work related illnesses
  • Work related incidents eg Damage, Near-Miss

  All workers shall complete:

  • Incident investigation form
  • Witness statement forms (where applicable)
  • Workers Compensation forms (where applicable)

  All workers will participate in incident investigations where required by ChoiceOne or Client.

  

• 2) If medical treatment is not required offsite, ChoiceOne does NOT need to be informed of the incident.*
  • A - True
  • B - False

• HAZARD REPORTING

  If you identify a safety or health hazard in the workplace, you must point out the hazard to your supervisor and complete a Hazard Report form. You have a duty of care to report unsafe acts and conditions.

  This form must be forwarded to your ChoiceOne consultant the same day.

  If the hazard is not corrected, then you must contact the ChoiceOne office on 08 9215 3888 and inform your Consultant.

  Once this has occurred, your ChoiceOne Consultant will speak to his/her contact at your workplace in an endeavour to have the hazard controlled or eliminated.

  Examples of hazards you may be exposed to:

  • Slippery or uneven floor surfaces
  • Poor housekeeping - objects on the floor
  • Electrical
  • Chemicals
  • Animals

  Note: ChoiceOne offer 24/7 support via our phone afterhours and you can access this from the menu when calling 08 9215 3888.

• 3) Once a Hazard Report has been filled out, what must the employee do with it?*
  • A - Give it to your Supervisor and then forward onto ChoiceOne immediately.
  • B - Send it to your ChoiceOne Consultant.
  • C - File it for later reference.

• UNRESOLVED HAZARDS

  Unresolved hazards are injuries waiting to happen.

  If a hazard (which has been correctly reported) is not resolved:

  • Advise the Client that you need to notify your ChoiceOne Consultant.
  • Contact ChoiceOne on 08 9215 3888.
  • Do not recommence work until you are advised to do so by ChoiceOne.
  • Fill out a Hazard Report.

  Once contacted, ChoiceOne will:

  • Contact the Client and request they resolve, remove or control the hazard promptly in order that you can return to work.
  • Document the details.
  • Ensure they contact you with any feedback.

• 4) In situations with unresolved hazards, what are ChoiceOne's responsibilities?*
  • A - To contact the Client and request that the hazard is resolved.
  • B - Document the details.
  • C - Ensure Feedback to the worker.
  • D - All of the above.

• FITNESS FOR WORK - INCLUDING DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

  ChoiceOne is committed to operating in a manner that ensures the highest practical standards of health and safety are exercised and maintained at all times. Our Drug and Alcohol Policy has been formulated and promoted to eliminate the risk of substance abuse related incidents, injury and/or illness in the work place.

  ChoiceOne’s Drug and Alcohol policy commitment is to:

  • Ensure employees neither consume while on duty, or report for work under the influence of, alcohol and/or drugs of abuse;
  • Ensure that any employee who reports for work affected by alcohol or drugs does not enter and perform his/her duties in the workplace;
  • Ensure all other persons who work on any of ChoiceOne’s properties are not affected by alcohol and/or drugs of abuse;
  • Assist with the rehabilitation of employees who voluntarily seek help for alcohol or drug related problems.
  It is noted that "drugs of abuse" may include illicit drugs as well as both prescription and over the counter medications

Drug and alcohol testing of ChoiceOne employees and potential employees is conducted to ensure candidates for employment are screened as negative for alcohol and drugs of abuse. In order to achieve the objectives of the policy, random tests may also be conducted.

Acceptance of, and compliance with, this Drug and Alcohol Policy is essential to the success of ChoiceOne’s overall Health and Safety Policy and is therefore, a condition of employment.

• INJURY AT WORK

  Major causes of injury at work include:

  • Slipping, tripping and falling.
  • Handling of people or objects.
  • Mobile plant and vehicle incidents - eg reversing into fixed objects.

  Examples when a risk treatment is required:

  • When the worker feels that the task is unsafe for themselves or fellow workers.
  • When the environment is unsafe.
  • When the equipment is faulty, unfamiliar or inappropriate.
  • When the worker feels any strain or feels uncomfortable performing the work.

  If you experience an injury at work, contact your ChoiceOne Consultant on 08 9215 3888.

• 5) A risk assessment can be required if a worker feels that a task is unsafe for a fellow worker.*
  • A - True
  • B - False

• MANUAL TASKS (OR MANUAL HANDLING)

  A manual task is any activity which requires the use of force, exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain another person, animal or thing.

  You are more likely to injure yourself through a manual handling related injury than any other type of work-related injury.

  You only have one body, it's very important to know how to use it properly!

  When faced with manual tasks, use the Hierarchy of Control.

  When performing manual handling remember the following:

  • Maintain good housekeeping. Ensure your work area is clean and that materials are sensibly stored.
  • Use aids or equipment (like trolleys) to assist you as much as possible.
  • Ask someone to help you lift an awkward or heavy object.
  • Vary heavy tasks with lighter ones.
  • Know the estimated weight of an object before you pick it up.
  • Plan your route beforehand. Check the intended path of travel is clear of hazards/obstructions.
  • Keep your back in its natural "S" shaped position'.
  • Keep your head up.
  • Make your legs do all the work - don't bend your back.
  • Brace your abdominal muscles.
  • Hold the load close to your body.
  • Turn by moving your feet, not your spine.
  • DO NOT attempt any task you believe to be too heavy or unsafe.
  • Don't rush.

  CORRECT LIFTING TECHNIQUE

  

  Image Source Fine Art America

  
  

  For more information, refer to the Code of Practice, Manual Tasks.

• 6) Which of the following is NOT a principle of manual handling?*
  • A - Remove all hazards.
  • B - Vary heavy tasks with lighter ones.
  • C - Report all activities to Supervisor.
  • D - Do not rush the task.

• MANUAL TASK ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT

  Equipment must always be checked before and after use to ensure that it is safe to use.

  If you encounter faulty equipment, tag it 'Out of Service' (see picture below) and contact your Supervisor for further instructions.

  
  
  

  Note: If you encounter a piece of equipment with an Out of Service tag, do not use it.

• 7) When should manual handling equipment be checked for safety?*
  • A - Before use.
  • B - After use.
  • C - Before and after use.

• HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

  A hazardous substance is a substance that has the potential to cause harm to health. It incudes substances that are labelled:

  • Corrosive
  • Irritant
  • Flammable
  • Harmful
  • Toxic
  • Explosive
  • Poison

  When working with hazardous substances:

  • Ask for the SDS or Safety Data Sheet (formerly known as MSDS).
    • Note: SDS are only current for five (5) years. If you have an SDS that is more than five years old ask for a current one.
  • Read the label and follow instructions.
  • Do not use unlabelled products.
  • Never decant hazardous substances (or any chemicals) into food or drinking containers.
  • Wear Personal Protective Equipment/Clothing as described in the SDS or Safe Work Procedure.
  • When working in a confined space, ensure a risk assessment is completed prior to use.
  • Do not mix products.
  • Some chemicals should not be stored with others.

  If you have any queries, speak to your Supervisor.

• 8) Which of the following is NOT a hazardous substances guideline?*
  • A - Do not mix products.
  • B - When working in confined spaces, take regular breaks.
  • C - Read the label and follow the instructions.
  • D - Wear Personal Protective Equipment as defined in the SDS and Safe Work Procedure.

• ELECTRICAL SAFETY GUIDELINES

  When using electricity, please ensure you do the following:

  • Inspect electrical leads before use. Ensure they are not bent, damaged or broken and that they have a current electrical inspection tag on them.
  • Use three pin plugs for three pin power points.
  • Never damage or break off an earth pin.
  • ​Do not plug more appliances than the socket is designed for.
  • Keep flammable items away from heat sources.
  • Always turn off the power point prior to removing the plug.
  • Never pull out the plug by pulling the cord.
  • If you encounter any smoke or sparks when switching an appliance on, unplug it, tag it 'Out of Service' (see image below) and tell your Supervisor.

  Remember! Water and electricity do not mix.

  

• 9) Which of the following is not an electrical safety guideline?*
  • A - There is no need to turn off the power point before removing a plug.
  • B - Water and electricity do not mix.
  • C - Never pull out a plug by the cord.
  • D - Keep flammable items away from heat sources.

• SMOKING IN THE WORKPLACE

  The WHS regulations (regulation 50D) prohibit persons smoking in enclosed workplaces.

  An enclosed workplace is one with a ceiling.

  A vehicle meets the definition of an enclosed workplace. Smoking is only permitted if the vehicle is supplied by the person smoking and no other person is present.

  Most sites have designated smoking areas.

  All ChoiceOne employees will comply with Client smoking procedures.

• 10) ChoiceOne employees are allowed to smoke in -*
  • A - Vehicles.
  • B - Offices, workshops and enclosed workplaces.
  • C - Designated smoking areas.
  • D - Doorways, vents and at windows.

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  CONGRATULATIONS!

  You've reached the end of the ChoiceOne induction. Please click the SUBMIT button below to finalise your results.

  Once submitted we will review your results and be in touch shortly.