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Assessments

Student : Anita Bevacqua - S165547

Course : HLT54115 Diploma of Nursing

Course
: 16ADONB9
Offer

Course Unit : HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care

Assessment
: Theory Assessment
type

Displaying 1 to 10 out of 10 total.

1. When working as an Enrolled Nurse, it is important for you to understand the

State/Territory legislation underpinning the workplace health and safety. You must also
analyse how it impacts on workplace regulations, codes of practice and industry
standards.

1.1 Identify the workplace health and safety legislation applicable to your State/Territory and describe the key
objectives of the identified Act that is relevant to your nursing practice (in 50-70 words).

The safety, health and welfare at Work Act 2005 is a set of legal obligations on employers to provide
proper care of people and watch out for their health and safety in the workplace. The key objectives of
this legislation is that all different personnel must be clearly informed of their responsibilities in regard
to safety of people, especially for nurses in caring for their patients.

Source: Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005

1.2 Identify the workplace health and safety regulations applicable to your State/Territory. Briefly describe the
impact of the WHS Act on the identified regulations (in 50-70 words).
 The workplace health and safety regulation 2011 is a document detailing safety measures that must
be taken in order to reduce the safety risks. The WHS act supports the regulations set out in this
document. The WHS act and the workplace health and safety regulation work together to promote
health and safety within the workplace a minimise risks.

Source: Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011

1.3 Describe the impact of the identified WHS Act on the Code of Practice - Work Health and Safety Consultation,
Co-operation and Co-ordination (in 50-70 words).

The code of practice work health and safety consultation, co-operation and coordination, applies to
all sorts of workplaces as described in the WHS act. The Code of Practice was designed in
accordance with the WHS act, to encourage co-operation and coordination in matters concerning
health and safety of the workers sharing responsibility within a workplace.

Source: Work Health and Safety Consultation, Co-operation and Co-ordination 2011

1.4 Describe the scope and objective of the National Standard for Manual Tasks (in 30-40 words).

The National Manual Tasks was formulated to help prevent disorders resulting from physical
manual work. It covers all kinds of work that requires a person to use musculoskeletal part of their
body.

Source: National Standard for Manual Tasks (2007). Available at:

http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/about/publications/pages/ns200708manualtasks

1.5 Identify the WHS authority relevant to your State/Territory and describe how they assist the organisations in
complying with the WHS Act (in 50-70 words).

Safe Work Australia is a WHS authority that ensures organisations work according to WHS rules
and regulations. The authority assists organisations complying with standards by providing them
training and information so they can continue safe and healthy work practices. Safe Work Australia
collaborates with other organisations for the common goal of reducing harm and deaths in the
workplace.

Source: Safe Work Australia. Available at: http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA

2. Employees (workers) and employers have WHS rights, responsibilities and specific duty
of care.
2.1 Identify 2 (two) rights of employees in a healthcare setting.

The two main rights of employees are:

-The right to work in a safe and secure environment.

-The right to compensation in case of injury.

Source: The Rights and Duties of Health Care Workers – RHAP.

2.2 Identify 2 (two) responsibilities of employees (employees duty of care) in a healthcare setting.

- Employees have a responsibility to take care of themselves, colleagues and any other persons that
can be affected by them.
- Allow access to information to the general public regarding safety and health.
Source: The Rights and Duties of Health Care Workers – RHAP.

2.3 Identify 2 (two) rights of the employer in a healthcare setting.

-Employer has the right to inquire about physical and mental health of potential and current
employees.
-To verify legitimacy of granting compensation and insurance.

Source: Employer Rights and Responsibilities (2009). Available at:

https://www.headsup.org.au/rights-responsibilities/employer-rights-and-responsibilities

2.4 Identify 2 (two) responsibilities of the employer (employers duty of care) in a healthcare setting.

-Employers have a responsibility to refrain from unfair discrimination against disability or any other
such factor.
- Employers have a duty to provide safe and secure work environment that does not pose serious
risks to employees.

Source: Source: Employer Rights and Responsibilities (2009). Available at:

https://www.headsup.org.au/rights-responsibilities/employer-rights-and-responsibilities

3. Some tasks you may perform in the workplace are hazardous and may cause several
health issues.
3.1 Define hazardous manual tasks.

A hazardous manual task is one that requires a person to perform physical work such as pulling,
pushing, lifting, dragging, or moving an object or holding an animal. Any task that requires physical
exertion of any kind is considered a hazardous manual task.

Source: Hazardous Manual Tasks (2008). Available at:

https://www.comcare.gov.au/preventing/hazards/physical_hazards/hazardous_manual_tasks

3.2 Provide 3 (three) examples of hazardous manual tasks.

- Handling machinery, equipment etc.

- Carrying heavy objects.
- Restraining an animal.

Source: Hazardous Manual Tasks (2008). Available at:

https://www.comcare.gov.au/preventing/hazards/physical_hazards/hazardous_manual_tasks

3.3 Describe the impact of the WHS Act relevant to your State/Territory on the Code of Practice - Hazardous Manual
Tasks (in 50-70 words).

Hazardous Manual Tasks can pose health hazards that can cause injuries and disorders depending
on specific cases. The WHS has a significant impact on hazardous manual tasks, as it prescribes for
employers to take all possible measures to ensure the health and safety of their workers are not
compromised. It highlights that in the unfortunate case that an accident or an injury does take place,
the employer must provide adequate compensation for the worker.

Source: Model Codes of Practice – Hazardous Manual Tasks (2011). Available at:
http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/about/publications/pages/hazardous-manual-
tasks-cop

4. From the following pool of safety symbols, identify the most appropriate symbol for
poisons, emergency equipment, personal protective equipment, sharps and radiation and
describe their meanings.

Safety symbols Identify the symbol and describe the meaning

4.1

This is a danger symbol for serious life-threatening dangers and hazards such as poison.

4.2

This symbol represents the presence of hazardous radioactivity.

4.3

This symbol indicates that eye protection must be worn for protection.
4.4

This symbol represents first aid equipment for assistance in case of injury.

4.5

This is the biological sharps receptacle symbol which warns of the presence of substances that can harm living
tissue.
 This sign recommends the use of safety gloves to protect hands.

Source: Lecture slides

5. Every workplace may have health and safety hazards which need to be appropriately
monitored and controlled.

5.1 Define a workplace hazard.

A workplace hazard is something that produces the risk of harm. For example, exposed wiring,
slippery floor, etc.

Source: Lecture slides.

5.2 Describe 2 (two) common personal safety risks associated with nursing practice (in 50-70 words).

Nursing is a profession in which the staff is constantly exposed to health hazards. The two most
common personal safety risks in nursing are: risk of contracting a disease from a patient, and stress
associated with long working hours. Nurses dealing with patients suffering an infectious disease are
at a risk of being infected themselves. Other than that, nurses often have to work long hours, and
this can adversely affect their mental health.

Source: Lecture slides.

5.3 Briefly describe the strategies you could implement in minimizing the identified personal safety risks (in 30-40
 words).

In order to reduce the risk of catching a contagious disease from a patient, the nurses must be
vaccinated against all possible diseases. This will not only protect their health but also allow them
to take better care of their patients. Secondly, job rotation strategies should be implemented to allow
nurses to reduce their long working hours.

Source: Lecture slides.

5.4 Research and describe 2 (two) workplace procedures for hazard identification in a healthcare setting (in 50-70
words).

One of the most effective methods for identifying hazard in workplace is communicating and
collaborating with workers and other partners so everyone can work together and perform activities
to identify hazards of a different kinds present within the workplace. Another important
consideration is that the managers must check the safety aspect of any new machine or equipment
that is introduced in the workplace and communicate its safe usage to the employers.

Source: Identifying hazards and controlling risks (2009). Available at:

http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/safety-and-prevention/health-and-safety-topics/managers-and-
supervisors/identifying-hazards-and-controlling-risks

6. You must possess an understanding of the safety considerations when working as an

Enrolled Nurse in a home based environment.

6.1 Identify 2 (two) rights and 2 (two) responsibilities of workers when working in a home based environment.

Rights

- To be treated with respect.

- To be provided safe environment.

Responsibilities

- To care for the person’s needs and health.

- To listen attentively to the patients and their families.

Source: Rights and Responsibilities – Home Care (2012). Available at:

http://www.myagedcare.gov.au/quality-and-complaints/quality-of-care-and-consumer-
rights/rights-and-responsibilities-home-care
6.2 Identify 2 (two) rights and 2 (two) responsibilities of clients when the care provision is organised in a home
based environment.

Rights

- To be involved in the decision of choosing best healthcare according to your wishes and needs.
- To have confidentiality and privacy respected by the workers.

Responsibilities

- To respect the rights of workers and treat them with respect.

- Refrain from holding any information that may prevent the care provider to deliver the best
possible care to you.

Source: Rights and Responsibilities – Home Care (2012). Available at:

http://www.myagedcare.gov.au/quality-and-complaints/quality-of-care-and-consumer-
rights/rights-and-responsibilities-home-care

6.3 Identify 3 (three) high risk client groups susceptible to fire injury and fatalities in a home based environment.
Provide an example of the contributing behaviours for each high risk group.

The three most high risk groups in home based environment are children, old people, and pregnant
women. Children lack the understanding of fire hazards, so need to be well taken care of. Old
people and pregnant women can be insufficiently mobile in such situations, putting them at a
danger.

6.4 Describe the ideal locations for placing smoke alarms in a home based environment.

Smoke detector should be placed in every floor of a house, near flammable furniture and equipment,
as well as in every bedroom.

Source: Placement of Smoke Detectors (2010). Available at: http://www.kidde.com/home-

safety/en/us/fire-safety/placement-of-smoke-alarms/

6.5 Who should you liaise with in order to install a mains powered smoke alarm?

Professional experts that properly understand and follow safety regulations should be liaised with in
order to install a smoke alarm.

6.6 Identify and describe 3 (three) key smoke alarm maintenance routines you must follow to provide effective
 protection.

-Changing batteries
- Testing at least once a month
- Replaced every 10 years

Source: Lecture slides.

6.7 What are the risks associated with showering or bathing a person in their own home? (Hint: common physical
injuries and causative factors).

Bathing in home environment can cause physical injuries from slippery floors, and electric shock
hazards.

6.8 Describe 3 (three) practices you could implement to minimise injury to self and clients in relation to the above
identified physical injuries.

Risk can be minimized by

- Making sure no electric devices are placed near bathing area
- Should not walk on slippery floor
- Make sure bathing area is roomy enough for at least two people

Source: Lecture slides.

7. Identify 2 (two)risks to personal safety when working in a home based environment

and describe the strategies you should implement to minimise identified risks.

Strategies to minimize identified risks

Personal safety risks

-Risk of infection -Ensure proper sanitation and hygiene.

-Risk of fire -Make sure smoke detectors are operational.

8. Identify 2 (two)common sources of infection in a home based environment and

describe means to minimize the transfer of infectious diseases.

Common sources of infection Means to minimize the transfer of infectious diseases

- Wearing gloves
-Infection by contact - Waste management
-Infection through a medium (air, water, etc.)
9. Your workplace implemented the following systems and processes and introduced a
new medication dispensing cabinet the previous week. Identify 2 (two) ways to maintain
currency of safe work practices in regards to each of the following workplace systems,
equipment and processes.

Workplace systems, equipment and processes Ways to maintain currency of safe work practices

9.1 Omnicell® G4 Unity automated dispensing cabinet -Ensure cabinet is always filled with
approved medicine

-Ensure unauthorized persons can’t use it

for wrong means.

9.2 Hazard identification procedure (amended) -Understand risks posed by the hazards.

- Take measures to control risk

9.3 Clinical records management system -Maintain up-to-date records

- Provide information timely for patient

appointments

Source: Lecture slides

10. It is important for you to reflect on your stress and fatigue levels to ensure that you
are safe to work in a clinical environment in relation to your mental and emotional
stability.

10.1 Provide 3 (three) examples of questions you could use for self-reflection related to your stress and fatigue
levels.

- Do I feel excessively fatigued and exhausted?

- Am I getting unnecessarily anxious during work hours?
- Is my mood being affected unpredictably?
10.2 To whom would you report any issues in relation to workplace stress and fatigue?

I would report it the management first and then consider WHS regulatory authorities.

Source: Lecture slides