Hazards / Risks
Hazards/Risks
There are a range of known hazards within the disability services sector which may impose a risk to employees and clients alike. To reduce the risk of injury employers are required to implement risk assessment and control systems within their workplace. There are a range of known control strategies for each of the hazards listed in the menu.
A hazard is anything with the potential to cause injury or property damage. A risk is the likelihood that such injury or damage will occur.
Based on the nature of the work undertaken within disability service providers hazards can be encountered on a regular basis. A large number of these hazards are foreseeable and controls should be implemented. The level of risk associated with the hazard is influenced by a range of factors including the predictablity of the hazard and the frequency of exposure. Once controls are implemented some degree of risk may remain and a service provider needs to assess if this risk is acceptable given the goals of the program or service. For example walking with a client with some mobility problems will always have a level of risk even with a full assessment and appropriate training but is often essential to maintaining a level of independence and health and cannot be eliminated.
A range of known hazards have been identified through workers compensation data and benchmarking. Information and material has been developed to assist providers manage the risk associated with these hazards to the best of their ability. This material will be updated when more information is available.
Fire safety is an OHS issue faced by the disability sector. Training material has been developed and can be accessed at the following webiste address - http://knowledgeweb.afac.com.au/hidden_nav/home_fire_safety/basic_home_fire_safety_training_materials.
