Unit 06: Ensure your own actions reduce risks to health and safety
6.1 Understand hazards and risks in the workplace
1.1 Describe hazards and risks
Throughout all industries there are many hazards and risks to consider and every workplace is different. The obvious difference between the two is that a hazard is something that has been identified to be a problem, whereas a risk is something that could be a problem if the circumstances are changed.
1.2 Outline key hazards and risks in own workplace describing safe working practices
Working at DCAS involves many hazards and risks that need to be understood by all members of staff and the public. As we offer open access sessions throughout the week the building tends to get busy and we are responsible for the young people that attend the sessions. As the hazards and risks increase when there are more people it becomes difficult manage them with the amount of staff alone. A strategy we use to reduce the amount of impact the hazards and risks may create is a specific risk assessment made for individual sessions.
Here is part of an up to date risk assessment aimed at the music night sessions we offer at DCAS. As you can see it includes three important factors, what the hazards are, who may be harmed and what control measures are currently in place. All hazards and risks have been identified and thoroughly assessed by the suitable member of staff. Another way we manage the risks are that we continuously discuss with participants ways in which they can avoid any accidents or injuries. It is important that everyone that could be effected by these risks are knowledgable on how, why and what to do if a problem arises. We also keep on top of updating the risk assessments when new risks are identified.
1.3 Outline key hazards and risks within own job role, describing precautions.
During my first week of work I was involved with the correct training and discussion on safe working practices presented by my Line Manager. This provided me with an understanding of precautions I could take that would reduce the risks during events I would be involved with. As my job role is varied there are a large amount of risks I need to consider. Some examples of these are:
Setting up for band practice - Setting up for band practice involves lifting and carrying heavy equipment, this includes amplifiers, drum kits and PA systems. It is important that the correct safe working practices are considered when doing this to avoid any back injuries whilst lifting and carrying. The appropriate use of footwear is also something that can decrease the chances of major injury caused by dropping the equipment. Another factor that needs to be considered and regularly monitored during the time of use is the sound settings on the amplifiers. The importance of keeping the output volume the correct level is crucial and making sure the band also know the suitable levels is useful as this can help avoid any damage to the ear.
Filming and Video Editing - As DCAS are under local authority for Derbyshire County Council we are often given the responsibility to film their regular council meetings. Our job roles during this time is setting up and putting down equipment, continuous camera movement that follows the action and changing tapes. These particular meetings can last up to 5 hours and this can increase the risk of tiredness. After the filming process we are responsible for the end product which consists of short clips from the meeting. As we work to a deadline to when the product should be complete you can find yourself spending hours at a time in the same room working on the same project for days at a time and this can result in fatigue. A way of avoiding this is to have regular breaks from the environment you are working in or share the workload with another member of staff.
Working in the recording studio - During a recording session with an artist there can be a variety of risks and hazards that need to be addressed and regularly monitored. Some microphones require phantom power to be used and this can effectively cause an electric shock at 48 volts if its not used properly. A way of preventing this from being an issue is to make sure the artist doesn't unplug the microphones at any point once set up. Also be aware that if you was to unplug the microphone, the phantom power is to be turned off. Another hazard during a recording session, especially when its a big band, there can be a large amount of cables, to manage this it is useful to either gather all cables together so they aren't scattered or to tape them to the floor to avoid anyone tripping over them.
6.2 Understand own responsibilities for healthy and safety in the workplace.
2.1 Identify own responsibilities for health and safety in own work place and job role under health and safety legislation, explaining the importance of personal presentation and behaviour.Maintaining awareness of the health and safety risks throughout own workplace and job role is an important factor especially when working with young people. During our open access sessions there are risks that need to be considered for example lifting heavy equipment during the music night sessions or maybe using craft knives during art sessions. As someone who is partly responsible for the young peoples wellbeing during the sessions it is important that I use the correct language and behaviour that is suitable to use whilst communicating with the young people.
2.2 Describe procedures for dealing with risks outside the scope of own responsibility, identifying the appropriate personnel with whom to liaise in own workplace.
Everyone in the workplace at DCAS has individual responsibilities which come with risks, these need to be considered by all members of staff in the case of preventing hazards. It is important that everyone is aware of how to deal with issues appropriately and to recognise potential risks. For example if I was to find a craft knife unattended and in a place of reach to a young person or member of the public then I would immediately return it to its correct place. Following this I would let the appropriate member of staff know.
6.3 Be able to evaluate hazards and risks in the workplace
3.1 Identify workplace instructions relevant to own job role.
My job role at DCAS covers many areas so there is a lot of risks and hazards to be aware of. Some of these being lifting heavy equipment during music related sessions. The specific instructions that are followed whilst lifting this equipment is to lift with the knees not the back, to not try and lift alone if it is too heavy (ask for assistance) and to wear sensible footwear. These instructions are used throughout the centre by all members of staff and others that could be effected by the hazard.
Another job role that involves following important instructions is the use of phantom power during recording sessions. Phantom power is used as a source of power for some specific microphones and can be dangerous if not used in the correct way. To prevent any incidents caused by phantom power we make sure the equipment is set up and plugged in before switching on the power and to also turn it off before unplugging or packing away any of the equipment.
3.2 Identify any unsafe practices in own workplace and own job role.
We don't currently have any unsafe working practices that have been identified.
As DCAS is a creative arts facility thats open to young people from the ages of 11 to 19 we are responsible for their wellbeing throughout the time they spend in the centre. We are continuously up to date with all health and safety procedures throughout the centre and if any risks or hazards are identified they are immediately added to the risk assessments and all members of staff are noted. Safeguarding procedures are highly monitored as this is one of our priorities being responsible for the safety of the young people.
3.3 Check which potentially unsafe working practices present the highest risks to self and others.
If there was to be a potential unsafe working practice this could be the young peoples personal information being accessed and this could only arise if the office door was to be unlocked and unattended for a long period of time.
A potentially unsafe working practice that could effect me is if I was to drop a heavy piece of equipment on my foot but as we have had appropriate training in this field it reduces the risk.
3.4 Take action to address any hazards in accordance with workplace procedures and legal requirements.
As all working environments are required to follow the Health and Safety at Work Act it is essential that the team at DCAS produce up to date risk assessments that outline the hazards and risks in all areas of the centre. This is done through room by room analysis and also the open access sessions risks and hazards.
6.4 Be able to reduce risks to health and safety in the workplace
4.1 Work safely in accordance with own level of competence, relevant instructions and legal requirements, following environmentally friendly practises.
As individual workers we all work as safely as possible in our environments in our own way and with own level of competence for example I will only participate in a task to which I feel comfortable and safe doing so. For example before carrying out any task that could involve risk I would consider the previous training I have had in this field and if it is none then I wouldn't feel that I was the appropriate person for the job. We also encourage all users of the centre to dispose of their rubbish to our cardboard and plastic recycling bins.
4.2 Manage any health and safety risks within own capability and responsibility.
It would only be appropriate for me to manage any health and safety risks upon identifying these risks. Working in an environment that can get quite busy it is important to reduce any risk of incidents that may occur. For this reason if I was to see that an object was restricting a path way I would move it to a more suitable place so it allows the walk way to be clear and accessible.
4.3 Suggest ways of reducing risks to health and safety to the appropriate personnel
There are many ways to which you could reduce the risks of health and safety matters in the workplace and this could be as simple as moving any liquids away from electrical equipment. Making sure you liaise with the participant as to why it could be a potential danger. Or it could be that you see a member of staff carrying equipment incorrect and to communicate with them in a friendly manner as to how they could reduce the risks of an incident.
4.4 Report any differences between workplace and suppliers' or manufactures' instructions
The instructions used throughout the workplace can vary depending on what the companies do or supply for that matter. In sectors such as joinery the instruction that are followed could include the use of forklifts which require a license or using machinery that needs previous training before use. Whereas at the workplace there are other instructions to follow such as wearing a dust mask whilst cutting wood and also the use of gloves when using hammers.
4.5 Ensure that own personal presentation and behaviour meets the requirements of relevant instructions.
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