Case study on physical hazard

  Read the Case Study Scenario below and write-up a Report of a publicised situation or your personal experience in a specific workplace where a workplace hazard has been identified. Analysis: Use a structured OHS methodology to evaluate the potential health risks involved and the most appropriate response. Clarify the issues and identify the potential risks to workers. Develop a hypothetical plan: Write a plan how you would respond to the immediate situation Make recommendations: Make recommendations re: preventative, health promotional, health surveillance and rehabilitation approach (as applicable). In your analysis, plan and recommendations, consider any psychosocial or cultural aspects and any underlying factors that may make some workers more vulnerable than others to the hazard. Including the impacts of any uncertainties in the relationships between the identified hazard and the health outcome if relevant, especially if a newly emerging hazard is involved. Carrying out your case study Your first task is to select an appropriate case study (publicized or your own experience) in which sufficient information is available in order to carry out the steps of this assessment. You may also need to manage uncertainty around information that is not available in your response. The case study can involve a chemical, physical, psychosocial or biological hazard. PLEASE ENSURE that if you select a personal experience, you do not breach the privacy or confidentiality of the workplace where it occurred. Detailed information on exposure is not required. Use a pseudonym rather than the actual name of the workplace. Once you have selected your case study, you should proceed within the following context. Case study scenario You are the recently appointed Senior OHS officer in the location of your selected case study where a hazard has been identified. You won the position largely because you highlighted the postgraduate studies you are currently undertaking. These studies are advancing your research skills and knowledge in OHS, as well as your communication and interpersonal skills. There is media interest in the situation, which is causing concern throughout the workplace. You have just been called into the company’s board meeting convened specifically in response to the identification of the hazard. You are told that the Board is extremely concerned about the situation, both reputational and financial risks involved, and the members have selected you to lead the response. They have asked you to write a report on the hazard, which includes the following: • Clarification of avenues of potential or actual exposure in the workplace setting and possible immediate and latent impacts on the health and wellbeing of the workers, considering underlying vulnerabilities, and if applicable, others potentially affected. (Brief, 10%) • Evaluation of the level of risk to the workers in relation to the health and wellbeing impacts mentioned above using currently available site-specific information if it exists. (whatever is publically available in the case study you have chosen, this may be only qualitative). (Brief, 10%; not a formal risk assessment) You must then identify an Immediate Plan of Action and make recommendations that address the following issues: • Outline immediate actions required to manage the current situation (In depth, 20%) • This may include describing how to communicate the risks to potentially exposed workers and their families, noting any psychosocial or cultural considerations • Identifying any immediate prevention mechanisms needed to ensure workers are not further exposed in the current situation • Implement the most appropriate surveillance approach to enable assessment of current levels of exposure and identify any future exposures across the workforce (what measures will be used, how frequently, how will the information be communicated) (In depth, 20%) • Provide rehabilitation and support for any affected and/or more vulnerable workers (and families if applicable) (In depth, 20%) • Guide the company in further steps to ensure prevention of future exposures to this particular hazard as well as to any other work related hazards that may arise in future, that is steps of risk mitigation. (10%) • Demonstrate to the public that the company is committed, not only to the prevention of worker exposure to hazards, but also to the promotion of health and wellbeing of workers, families and the broader community. (10%) The Board has emphasised that it is your responsibility to ensure that the matter is dealt with in the most transparent and effective manner possible using the latest methods and research evidence available. The company is proud of its record of openness and integrity in its duty of care towards their workforce and is keen to be able to respond to the media honestly and in a manner that demonstrates accountability and expertise on all OHS matters.