Occupational Health & Safety in Medical Offices: Requirements and Hazards

Using your notes and any information you might like to add, answer the following questions Some requirements a medical organisation may have in relation to Occupational Health & Safety could include:

•    adhering to the Practice Manual
•    documenting incidents immediately

Explain why each one would be important.

1.    Describe three different hazards you might encounter in a medical office
2.    What is meant by Hierarchy of Control?
3.    Describe three different ways you could help maintain a safe workplace

•    When you feel confident that you are ready to submit your assessment please do so by emailing it to:
•    Make sure that you have included your personal details such as name, course name, course level, assignment number etc…
•    Type all assignments in a clear and legible font This unit is concerned with OHS responsibilities of employees with supervisory responsibilities to implement and monitor the organisation’s Occupational Health and Safety policies, procedures and programs in a small team to meet legislative requirements.

The first section will cover basic information such as the value of a workplace policy and procedures manual and identifying and responding to an emergency. The latter section will deal with maintaining workplace safety particularly from a supervisory level.

Workplace Policy & Procedures Manual Every workplace should have a Policy and Procedures Manual with a chapter on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policies. For legal reasons parts of the manual may need to be signed by staff to prove that they have been instructed in various procedures, for example anti-discrimination or risk control.

The policies will need to be set out abiding by local, state and federal legislation. Policies and procedures may include legislation, codes and national standards relevant to the workplace including award and enterprise agreements and relevant industrial instruments
? relevant legislation from all levels of government that affects business operation, especially in regard to Occupational Health and Safety and environmental issues, equal opportunity, industrial relations and antidiscrimination
? relevant industry codes of practice Items to be covered in a policy manual should include:
? Emergency procedures including the calling of ambulances
? Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) policies Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
? Administering first aid and CPR
? Re-prioritising of work
? Security, confidentiality and privacy procedures
? Cleanliness and hygiene
? Infection control including cleaning and sterilisation of instruments must provide or maintain plant (i.e. air conditioning equipment, chairs, desks) and systems of work (procedures for working) that are safe and healthy.

• ensure safety and health associated with the handling,storage or transport of plant and substances
• ensure that the place of work has means of access (and exit) that are safe and without risk to health
• must provide reasonable information, instruction,training and supervision to ensure health and safety
• an employer cannot charge an employee for anything done or provided to meet occupational health and safety standards i.e. protective clothing mployees must take reasonable care of the health and safety of others at work
• employees must cooperate with employers in their efforts to comply occupational health and safety requirements
• no person may interfere with or misuse anything provided for the health, safety and welfare of persons at work.