Grade

7/8

TLE - HE
COOKERY
EXPLORATORY COURSE – MODULE 7
Importance of Occupational Health and
Safety Procedures
 LEARNING OUTCOME 1

What Do You Need To Know?

Understanding the Six Major Types of Workplace Hazards

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Understanding the Six Major Types of Workplace Hazards

August 27, 2018 by admin In Work Safety No Comments
To cultivate a safety culture at the workplace, you need to think about the Big Picture
As an employer, it’s your utmost duty to prevent and remove the hazards from the
workplace. Additionally, it’s a legal responsibility for employers to ensure that the workplace
is free from hazards that could cause injuries and even prove fatal. Failing to comply to this
rule leads to complicated and expensive legal tangles in the unfortunate case of a workplace
accident.

What’s the First Step in Preventing Workplace Hazards?

We believe the first step in preventing accidents and injuries in the workplace is
knowledge. Here, in this week’s post, we give you the six main types of workplace hazards.
By being aware of these hazards, you can take the necessary steps to mitigate employee
risk and make the workplace a zone of safety.
Six Major Types of Workplace Hazards
These are some of the most common causes of accidents and are present in almost all
workplaces at one time or another. The individual hazards can cause illness, injuries and
even death at time. Here’s a closer look at each of the main type of workplace hazards.
1. Safety Hazards:
This includes:
• Accidental spills on workplace floors
• Tripping hazards like cords and extension cables running across the floor, blocked aisles
• Working from heights such as roofs, scaffolds, ladders or any other raised work area
• Moving machinery parts that aren’t covered which workers can touch accidentally
• Other machinery related hazards like improper operation of forklifts, boiler safety,
lockout/tag outs, etc.
• Unguarded machinery, while in operation
• Electrical hazards like improper wiring, short circuits, overloads, missing ground pins,
frayed cords
• Confined spaces

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2. Biological Hazards
These are any hazards that you experience while working with people, animals, infectious
plants or other microorganisms. Usually people who work in day care facilities, nursing
homes, primary health care centers, hospitals, medical laboratories, schools, colleges,
universities, outdoor occupations, emergency response come in contact with biological
hazards.
The common types of biological hazards include exposure to:
• Fungi / mold
• Animal and bird droppings
• Insect bits
• Bacteria and viruses
• Harmful plant secretions
• Blood and other bodily fluids
3. Physical Hazards
These are environmental factors that can harm a person. The individual need not touch the
physical hazard to be affected by it. Just by being in the vicinity, you are exposed to the
physical hazard. Some of the main types include:
• High exposure to ultraviolet / sunlight rays
• Extreme temperatures both hot and cold
• Radiation – this can be divided into two main types

• Constant loud noise

4. Ergonomic Hazards
These hazards occur when the nature of the work, work body positions and other working
conditions cause physical strain (and sometimes even mental strain) to your body.
Ergonomic hazards are the most difficult hazards to prevent, because they are difficult to
spot in the initial stages. Usually, these hazards are noted only after it has caused harm to
the body.
Short term exposure to ergonomic hazards generally causes sore muscles that become
normal after a couple of days. However, the long-term exposure is quite serious and could
even lead to long-term illnesses.
Some of the main types of ergonomic hazards include:
• Improperly positioned workplace tables and chairs (usually the height doesn’t suit the
occupant causing him/her to strain his/her muscles)
• Frequent lifting
• Awkward movements those are often repetitive
• Repetitive movements
• Using too much force for a particular task can become problematic especially if it’s
repetitive
• Vibration
• Poor posture
• Frequent lifting of heavy objects
5. Chemical Hazards
These hazards happen when an employee is exposed to any harmful chemicals (gas, liquid
or solids) at the workplace. While not all chemicals are harmful to all, chemical hazards pose
greater damages to people who are allergic and are sensitive. Some of the common results

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of chemical hazards include breathing difficulties, skin irritation, eye dryness and other
severe illnesses.
Here are a few chemicals that have to be handled with extreme caution. Beware of these:
• Workplace Liquids like paints, cleaning products, solvents, acids – especially if they’re
stored in unmarked containers
• Fumes and vapors from solvents and welding
• Flammable materials like explosive chemicals, solvents, petrol and diesel
• Gases like helium, carbon monoxide, propane, acetylene

6. Work Organization Hazards

More than hazards, these are stressors that trigger stress and panic in workers. It could have
both short-term effects as well as long-term effects. These are hazards that are generally
caused due to lack of organization in the workplace. Some common examples of workplace
hazards include:
• Heavy workload
• Workplace violence
• Respect or lack of it
• No control or say in the workplace happenings
• Lack of social support and community at the workplace
• No place for flexibility
• Sexual harassment
What is personal protective equipment?
Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to
minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These
injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical,
mechanical, or other workplace hazards. Personal protective equipment may include items
such as gloves, safety glasses and shoes, earplugs or muffs, hard hats, respirators, or
coveralls, vests and full body suits.
What can be done to ensure proper use of personal protective equipment?
All personal protective equipment should be safely designed and constructed, and
should be maintained in a clean and reliable fashion. It should fit comfortably, encouraging
worker use. If the personal protective equipment does not fit properly, it can make the
difference between being safely covered or dangerously exposed. When engineering, work
practice, and administrative controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection,
employers must provide personal protective equipment to their workers and ensure its
proper use. Employers are also required to train each worker required to use personal
protective equipment to know:
When it is necessary
What kind is necessary
How to properly put it on, adjust, wear and take it off
The limitations of the equipment
Proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the equipment
If PPE is to be used, a PPE program should be implemented. This program should
address the hazards present; the selection, maintenance, and use of PPE; the training of
employees; and monitoring of the program to ensure its ongoing effectiveness.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• What is personal protective equipment (PPE)?
• Who pays?

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• Selection
• Maintenance
• Sharing
• Information, training and instruction
• Resources
What is personal protective equipment (PPE)?
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is clothing or equipment designed to be worn by
someone to protect them from the risk of injury or illness. PPE can include:
• hearing protective devices, such as ear muffs and ear plugs
• respiratory protective equipment
• eye and face protection, such as safety glasses and face shields
• safety helmets
• fall arrest harnesses for working at heights
• skin protection, such as gloves, gauntlets and sunscreen
• clothing, such as high visibility vests, life jackets and coveralls
• footwear, such as safety boots and rubber boots.
Where does the use of PPE fit in the risk management process?
The use of personal protective equipment is lowest on the list of control priorities.
These controls should not be relied on as the primary means of risk control until the options
higher in the list of control priorities have been exhausted. Therefore, PPE should only be
used:
• as a last resort, where there are no other practical control measures available
• to be a short-term measure until a more effective way of controlling the risk can be used
• together with other controls measures such as local exhaust ventilation
• by itself during maintenance activities.
There may be specific PPE requirements for working with harmful substances or in certain
work activities. Read more about PPE for working with:
• asbestos
• infectious diseases
• engineered or natural stone containing crystalline silica in the stone benchtop industry.
Who pays?
If PPE is required, the person conducting the business or undertaking must provide it
to workers free of charge.
However, there may be circumstances where the payment for it can be negotiated.
In deciding who should provide PPE consider:
• the availability of equipment
• whether the equipment can generally be used outside work, such as sunglasses or boots
• the need for a personal fit
• the requirements in the relevant industrial award or enterprise agreement regarding
provision of PPE.
Selection
When choosing PPE considers these
factors: Worker
• Check the PPE is a suitable size and fit for each worker. Respiratory protective equipment,
for example, requires a good facial seal.
• If PPE is comfortable to wear and workers are involved in choosing it, they will be more
likely to use it.

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• Individual circumstances of workers may affect choice. For example, wearing of
prescription glasses, allergies such as latex allergy and some medical conditions.
• Consider workers’ medical conditions, which can influence whether they can use certain
items of equipment.
Work task
• How the work is carried out and the level of risk to the worker. For example, a more
protective respirator may need to worn where the level of air contamination is very high.
• How long PPE will need to be worn.
• Work demands of the work activity. For example, the level of physical activity or dexterity
required.
• Make sure PPE that is to be worn at the same time can be used together.
Work environment
• Understand the impacts of a hot and humid work environment.
If you are protecting against exposure to a substance such as a hazardous chemical or a
biological substance, consider how the substance can enter the body. For example where a
chemical can be absorbed through the lungs and skin, skin protection as well as respiratory
protection may be required.
Choose PPE that meets current Australian Standards.
Do not reuse single use PPE for example, disposable gloves.
Maintenance
Proper care and maintenance is essential to ensure PPE continues to provide the
necessary level of protection.
• Look for broken or damaged components before using PPE and repair or replace it as
needed.
• Replace PPE that has expired or reached its usable lifespan.
• Clean reusable PPE after use and store in a clean area such as a cupboard, drawer or
resealable container.
• Report broken, damaged or contaminated PPE.

Most PPE is provided for the personal use of a worker. However, PPE may be shared in
some circumstances, for example where PPE is only required for limited periods.
Shared PPE must be properly cleaned and disinfected before it is used again to ensure
there are no health risks to the next person. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for
appropriate methods.
Information, training and instruction
Workers must be provided with enough information, training and instruction on when to use
PPE and how to:
• use, fit and wear it including any adjustments that may be needed
• carry out repair or replace parts
• clean and store it correctly.
When wearing more than one item of PPE to protect against substances, such as hazardous
chemicals or biological substances, it is important to put on and remove each item correctly.
If hands could become contaminated when removing PPE, it is important to wash them
thoroughly to prevent accidental contamination.

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 REFERENCE:
Commercial Cooking K to 12 Basic Education
Curriculum Technology and Livelihood Education
Learning Module ACTIVITY
CROSSWORD PUZZLE. Complete the crossword puzzle by filling
in a word that fits it’s given clues below.

4 5

6 7

Across Down
2. It is a garment that is worn over other clothing 1. A PPE for foot protection at workplaces. It
and covers mainly the front of the body. prevents from getting foot injuries due to slippery
4. Use to protect eyes and face when working surface, heavy falling or rolling objects.
7. These are worn to cover and protect hands and 3. A covering made of fiber or gauze and fitting
wrists from potential hazards in domestic, workover the nose and mouth to protect against dust or
site and commercial environments. air pollutants.
8. Hearing protective device 5. Protect the user's head against: impact from
objects falling from above, by resisting and

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 deflecting blows to the head.
6. A piece of fine mesh fabric for confining the hair

Key to Correction

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

1S
2A P R O N

3M F

4F A C E S 5H I E L D

S T E

K Y L

B M

6H 7G L O V E S

A O T

I T

8EARMU F F S

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 SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Test I. Read the following questions carefully and choose the letter
that best describes the statement. Write your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.
___1. The anticipation, recognition, evaluation, control and prevention of hazards from work
that may result in injury, illness or may affect the wellbeing of workers.
A. Hazard B. Observational Health and Safety C. Occupational Health
and Safety D. Occupational Health and Saftey
E. Rules and Regulations
___2. It is anything with potential to cause injury, illness or damage.

A. Hazard B. Observational Health and Safety C. Occupational Health and

Safety D. Occupational Health and Saftey E. Risk

___3. This type of Hazard is brought by unhealthy working conditions such as poor lighting,
poor ventilation, insufficient facilities, inefficient or faulty machine or equipment and improper
work practices.
A. Biological Hazard B. Chemical Hazard
C. Ergonomic Hazard D. Physical Hazard
E. Psychological Hazard
___4. The following are reasons why OHS is practiced in the kitchen, EXCEPT

A. To keep oneself clean B. To keep the food clean and safe C. To keep
the workplace clean D. To keep tools and equipment clean
E. To keep tools and equipment unused
___5. Hazard brought by workers infected with diseases or illnesses that can transmit

bacteria to other workers, food or equipment being handled.

A. Biological Hazard B. Chemical Hazard C. Ergonomic
Hazard D. Physical Hazard E. Psychological Hazard

___6. . Hazard brought by poor posture when working long periods of standing, bending,
pushing, lifting, that can cause body stress, muscle pains, numbness of hands and feet and
other parts of the body.
A. Biological Hazard B. Chemical Hazard
C. Ergonomic Hazard D. Physical Hazard
E. Psychological Hazard
___7. This is brought by too much stress from work may cause mental and emotional

strains, anxieties, depression- losing focus on one’s work and others.

A. Biological Hazard B. Chemical Hazard C. Ergonomic
Hazard D. Physical Hazard
E. Psychological Hazard
___8. Hazard brought by use of chemicals such as disinfectants for cleaning equipment, and
floorings, fumes and smoke from cooking.
A. Biological Hazard B. Chemical Hazard
C. Ergonomic Hazard D. Physical Hazard
E. Psychological Hazard
___9. The following are tips on how to keep yourself clean, EXCEPT
A. Always wear PPE while at work B. Keep finger nails short and clean
C. Put all your accessories before working. D. Wash hands thoroughly
E. Wear mask especially when a co-worker has colds.
___10. The term “PPE” stands for?
A. Personal Proper Equipment B. Personal Protective Equipment
C. Private Property Equipment D. Professional Protective Equipment
E. Protective Personal Equipment

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Test II. Identify the hazard being illustrated in the picture.

1. ____________________ 4. ____________________

2. ___________________ 5. ____________________

3. _______________________

Test III. Slogan/Poster Making Contest (Individual)

1. Draw/ make slogans/ posters that show the importance of safety and hygiene practices
in the workplace.
2. Use bond paper, appropriate color medium and drawing tools.
3. Submit your output to your teacher for proper evaluation.

SCORE CRITERIA
10 Creatively and neatly done showing much relevance to the given topic
8 Creatively done and neat enough with relevance to the given topic
7 Creatively done and neat enough but no relevance to the given topic
6 Simply done and neat enough but not so relevant to the given topic
5 Poorly done with erasures and irrelevant to the given topic