Hazard identification is a key step in preventing injury and disease in the workplace. Where there's a risk you need to stop and think. You need to think about what you are about to do, the potential risks and the likely effects on yourself and other people.

• 1. Spot the Hazard.
Be alert at work! Notice potential hazards and work out what the problem is.
• 2. Assess the Risk
Talk to your supervisor about the hazard and work out a way to solve the problem.
• 3. Make the Changes
Follow through. Carry out the agreed actions in order to solve the problem.

Manual handling is not just about lifting heavy objects, but includes any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, hold or restrain a person, animal or thing. Writing, typing, placing boxes and other items on shelves, lifting, moving and carrying patients are just some examples of manual handling tasks associated with the Community Services Industry.

• Strains and sprains.
• Neck and back injury.
• Slips, falls and crush incidents.
• Cuts, bruises and broken bones.
• Hernia.
• Strained heart muscles.
• Occupational overuse syndrome (OOS)

You should be informed and trained in:

• Safe manual handling methods.
• Specific manual handling hazards.
• Safe work procedures.
• Use of manual handling aids.
• The right to ask for assistance.

Manual handling injuries to workers can be prevented by instruction, training and supervision. Host employers in conjunction with employees, should prepare safe work procedures to care for the special needs of inexperienced workers. Ways to Reduce the Risk:

• Lighten loads (break loads into smaller quantities)
• Reduce bending, twisting, reaching movements.
• Prevent muscle strain and fatigue, including warming up before working, allocating time for rest breaks, and allowing time to gradually get used to a new job.

Within the Community Services Industry the transmission of disease may be a hazard. It is important that you take the necessary steps to ensure your own safety and the safety of others both in the workplace and the wider community Workers who are regularly exposed to blood and body substances at work may be at increased risk of transmission of infectious diseases such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes the disease known as AIDS. Certain occupations are at risk of acquiring or transmitting infectious diseases. Groups of workers who are at risk include health care workers, laboratory workers, police officers, prison officers, child care workers, carers of intellectually handicapped, sewerage workers and plumbers. Also at risk are workers working in areas where infectious disease is common, or where hygiene or sanitation is poor.

Workers in the Community Services Industry often care for people with infectious diseases. Therefore cleanliness and hygiene are very important measures in preventing the spread of infection. When cleaning surfaces and facilities workers should wear protective gloves and other protective clothing for the task. Use detergent and warm water for routine cleaning. Where surface disinfection is required use the disinfectant in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Surfaces should be cleaned before applying disinfectants. A solution of 1:10 dilution of 5% sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) in water should be used to disinfect surfaces that have been contaminated with blood or body substances. In the event of being exposed to blood or body substances or sustaining a needle stick injury the following action should be taken:

• Wash away the blood or body substance with soap and water.
• If eyes are contaminated, rinse eyes while open.
• If blood gets into the mouth, spit it out and repeatedly rinse with water.
• Report the incident to the appropriate authority immediately.
• You should be referred to a doctor.
• Counselling may be offered to you. Linen soiled with blood or body substances should be identified as such and kept separate from other linen. PVC, latex or household gloves and protective clothing should be worn when handling soiled linen. Where possible, heavily soiled items should be soaked in diluted bleach. Linen should be washed using a hot water cycle.

Host employers are required to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) when hazards in the workplace cannot be eliminated or controlled by other means. Personal protective equipment and clothing can include such things as:

• Gloves.
• Respirators.
• Aprons.
• Overalls.
• Safety boots.
• Safety glasses.
• Goggles.
• Ear muffs as appropriate.

Employees should be instructed and trained on the correct use of any PPE provided by the host employer. These practical hygiene steps should be taken to ensure your safety and the safety of others:

• Follow the requirements of the workplace policy or procedure.
• Hands must always be washed between contacts with clients (patients, residents etc) and before eating or drinking.
• The wearing of gloves substantially reduces the risk of hands being contaminated with infected blood and body substances. Therefore, gloves must be made readily available to all relevant workers.
• Gloves should be worn when dealing with blood and body substances.
• Hands must be washed immediately after removing gloves.
• Gloves should be changed between treating persons - the wearing of.
• Gloves do not prevent cross infection.
• Waterproof aprons/gowns should be worn when clothing is likely to be soiled with blood or any body fluid.
• Masks and/or protective eye wear should be worn in situations where eye and or mucous membrane exposure to splashed or sprayed blood or body fluid is likely (eg dental and surgical procedures, cleaning soiled equipment).
• Workers with cuts and abrasions on exposed parts of the body must cover these with waterproof dressings at all times while on duty.

Sharps (ie objects or devices having sharp points capable of cutting or piercing the skin) should not be stored in such a way that would make them capable of piercing the skin. Sharps should be discarded into a rigid walled puncture resistant container that is colour coded and clearly labelled. It should also carry the biohazard symbol recognised world wide and adopted for use in Australia. Remember:

• Medical waste should be stored in a clean, leak proof, clearly labelled container suitable for transport to a disposal site. Biological specimens should be incinerated:
• People responsible for collecting medical waste should be authorised by the Health Department. Pharmaceuticals should be disposed of as for medical waste.
• Part 2 of the Environmental Protection (Interim Waste) Regulations 1996 requires that vehicles undertaking a waste removal service must be approved by the Chief Executive, Queensland Department of Environment.

Transporters of clinical and related waste to off-site disposal facilities should comply with the requirements of the Australian Dangerous Goods Code. Waste Transporters must be licensed under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. The holding compartment of transport vehicles should be totally enclosed, weather proof and lockable. Medical waste should not be held in the vehicle overnight. The Health Department should approve the disposal facility to which the waste is transported. The transporter should provide a signed statement giving details about the producer of the waste and obtain the signed acknowledgment of the disposal site operator that the waste was received. The transporter should be aware of his or her responsibilities under the Explosives and Dangerous Goods Act administered by the Mines Department.

Where available, an incinerator approved by the Department of Environment should be used to dispose of medical waste. Where waste is disposed of at a supervised landfill the site operator should be notified. A representative from the Department of Environment should be consulted regarding information pertinent to the Environment Protection Act and subordinate legislation.

Stress can be an inevitable part of work in the Community Services Industry because these workers may often deal with the sick, elderly, and injured on a daily basis. No job is free from stress. All work brings responsibilities, problems, demands and pressures. In normal circumstances they are an unavoidable part of working life. We are paid to work and a reasonable amount of pressure can be expected. Not all pressure is negative. We are often kept motivated by the challenges and difficulties we meet and are able to solve at work. However our ability to deal with pressures is not limitless. Performance can drop, inefficiencies can occur and the health of the employee declines. The effects of excessive stress can be both physical and psychological:

• Physical effects may include increased heart rate, headache, blurred vision, perspiration, dizziness, aching neck and shoulder muscles, clenched jaw and skin rashes.
• Behavioural effects sometimes include increased anxiety and irritability, "flying off the handle" easily, excess alcohol and other drug-taking, fitful sleeping and poor concentration..

Generally these last only briefly and have little or no long-term effect. When relief from a stressful situation is not available or is of short duration before the next onslaught, the body has no time to repair, and the stress becomes long lasting and more serious. Long term problems emerge and recovery time, even with professional help, takes longer. Due to individual differences, pin pointing specific workplace activities that are likely to cause stress is difficult. What may be seen as a challenge by one individual may be an impossible task or boring and repetitious to another. Your individual background, motivation, experience, skills and knowledge, and the support from managers, supervisors and colleagues, all play an important role. While it may be beyond the employer's responsibility, it is necessary to take into consideration the fact that not everyone comes to work with a cheerful disposition to start with. A death or sickness in the family, a temporary setback or other personal problems will influence the way in which we cope with the pressures of work. Level of stress that become harmful are likely to occur when there is:

• Prolonged or increasing pressures occurring without relief.
• A sense of powerlessness over the demands being made.
• A continuous threat of violent or aggressive behaviour with little or no defence.
• Organisational change that impacts on individuals.

They can be started or made worse by:

• Bullying, conflict or harassment.
• A lack of leadership and clear direction.
• Work arrangements, deadlines and demands set without consultation.
• A high degree of uncertainty about the job.

They include:

• Dealing with violent and aggressive behaviour or the threat of it occurring.
• Dealing with injury, disease and death.
• Having continuous contact with people and human suffering.

Workplace physical conditions can also cause stress. Excessive noise with no control over sound levels can cause severe physical and behavioural problems. Severe vibration can have similar effects. Hot and humid conditions and the constant presence of hazardous substances or other hazards will also create stress. To reduce or remove unnecessary stress, employers can:

• Ensure the confidence and competence of employees is not eroded.
• Provide a consistent approach to management.
• Make sure there is a good two-way communication system.
• Provide well defined tasks with clear responsibilities.
• Provide relief if the job is very monotonous or boring.
• Set challenging but achievable targets.
• Use flexible work schedules that are planned and agreed.
• Ensure that people are treated fairly and without bullying or harassment.
• Provide positive feedback when appropriate.

In Queensland, part 3 of the Health Act 1937 requires certain diseases to be notified to the Chief Health Officer Queensland Health. Notifiable diseases include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Health care workers infected with a blood borne virus such as HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C should be assessed in consultation with their treating medical officer to assess that they are capable of performing their tasks adequately and to the accepted professional standards. HIV positive health care workers should not perform any procedures where there is a risk of HIV transmission. Health care workers should not perform exposure prone procedures, where there is established evidence of a risk of transmission of infection from a health care worker to patient. All information on mouth to mouth resuscitation should be consulted. A representative of Communicable Diseases Branch of Queensland Health should be contacted to provide more information.