Ireenes coffee shop

OH&S REPORT FOR WORKSTATION



Irene’s coffee shop

Completed by Ireene M.









Background


This workshop has the following dimension: 1600 M2 (40m x 40m), ceiling height 3 metres, 4 windows in the back, the exit is located on the back of the building and the main entrance is in front of the building. In the front we also have 2 large windows. Inside of the front doors there is 7 large tables and 5 cheers around them. There are also large counter desk. This is located on the back of the building. The counter area is 8m x 5m (45 M2). The FIRST AID KIT is located behind the counter.
There is kitchen on the right of the building on the back 400 M2 (20mx20m) It has 2 windows on the back and 2 entrances. One is located on the right side and the other in front. The kitchen has reverse cycle air-conditioning with climate control (humidity and temperature). There are also sprinkles and smoke detectors.
There is also reception in the middle of the building which has already one workshop. Right next to reception workstation there is enough footprints for the new workstation that connects to the RTA mainframe server. As this reception area is isolated there is the barrier to isolate sound. This reception area has reverse cycle air-conditioning with climate control (humidity and temperature).. In the kitchen and reception area there are separate fire extinguishers. They are CO2 based. CO2 fire extinguishers are good for electrical and oil based/hydrocarbon fires. There is also 2 fire blankets in the kitchen area.

The toilets are located in the left side in the building. There are 4 of them. There are separate smoke detectors in each room.
In all workshop there are sufficient ventilation extract fumes and carbon monoxide. There is one window in the reception area. This is located on the right side of the area. As the result this does not affect excessive amount of glare from the screen. Inside reception area there are 6 sets of power points. Currently only two sets of power points are in constant use. Therefore, there are sufficient power points for the work station. Lighting requirements for the new workstation is an issue. There is insufficient artificial lighting in the propose area. For the current staff there are two trained mechanics and two apprentice mechanics. In addition, there is one clerk that does the administration work. The two mechanics as part of their training and experience have already the OHS skills and knowledge for the job. These two mechanics have the responsibility for training of the clerk and two apprentice mechanics on OHS WORKCOVER requirements.
The floor plan is given in figure 1
















Figure one


Floor plan Ireene’s coffee shop







Recommendation











Strains and Sprains
Potential Hazard
Teens often work serving food in restaurants. Serving food and bussing tables, especially while assuming awkward postures, may lead to back, neck, and shoulder strains and sprains. Specific potential hazards include:
• Balancing or lifting too many plates or glasses while serving or clearing tables.
• Balancing or lifting heavy trays above shoulder height.
• Lifting large, overfilled containers of dirty dishes.
• Repetitive reaching across tables to serve customers or to clear tables.
Moving and lifting tables and chairs to accommodate customers.

Avoid over-reaching across tables or booths.

Possible Solutions
Teen Safety Solutions









Employers have the primary responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their workers. Employees are responsible for following the safe work practices of their employers.
• Avoid awkward postures if you must carry trays, plates, or beverages. Serving with awkward postures such as unsupported elbow and finger postures can increase your risk for injury.
Limit the number of plates or items you will carry, realizing that carrying more than a couple items puts excessive strain on your arms and back and may lead to injury.
Unsupported elbow and finger postures

Use both hands to carry items such as coffee pots or water jugs and carry them with your elbows close into your body.
• Move the glass or cup to you, when pouring, rather than overreaching with a heavy coffee pot or water jug to fill a glass.
• Carry plates with your elbows close into your body to lessen the strain on your arms and back. Avoid bending at the wrist or extending upward at the fingers. Your shoulder, arms, and hands should be in a neutral position rather than bent at the wrist or extended upward at the fingers.
• Balance the tray on both your arm and hand.
• Alternate carrying tasks from hand to hand.
• Balance the load evenly, placing heavier items in the center of the tray.
• Make sure trays are serviceable and clean and dry and without defect before using.
• Stand by the person you are serving if possible, rather than reaching across tables and over people. In booths, pass the plates along, requesting that the people sitting closest to the edge of the booth assist you in passing the plates.

Get help to move tables and chairs, rather than lifting alone


Employer Solutions


Employers have the primary responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their workers. Employees are responsible for following the safe work practices of their employers.
• If space permits, provide serving carts to carry food, rather than requiring workers to carry heavy trays overhead.
• If space permits, provide workers with a server's station close to the serving area. This will decrease the distance that items need to be carried.


Manual Handling Regulations 1992

The act lays down minimum health and safety requirements for the manual handling of loads and requires a risk assessment of all manual handling to be made by a competent person. Employers must reduce and avoid the need for manual handling, and, where it is unavoidable, take measures to minimise risk, particularly from back injuries. The act sets out the weights and types of loads that can be handled. Employees have an obligation to comply with the regulations, and to use the right technique or equipment for lifting and handling jobs.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992


Under these regulations employers must:
• provide suitable equipment for every task;
• ensure that equipment is in good condition and only used for suitable operations;
• provide training, instruction and information on all equipment;
• ensure equipment conforms with EC product safety directives.
The act specifically extends to maintenance operations and provision of warnings and markings on site.

Noise at Work Regulations 1988

The act sets out specific limits for noise levels, and the action required to reduce noise risk at each level.

Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992

The act describes equipment for protecting against risk to health and safety for all workers. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the last resort for personal protection, and it is only used when all other methods to make a task safe have been applied. Employers must ensure the suitability of PPE provided, maintain good PPE provision, provide storage for PPE when not in use, and give training and information on how to use PPE correctly.

All PPE must conform to current EU directives and should bear the ‘CE’ mark.
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
The act requires that all accidents resulting in more than 3 days’ absence from work, or where the person cannot return to their normal tasks, or involving more than 24 hours in hospital, are reported. A responsible person must make a report. The act defines major injuries, dangerous occurrences and recordable diseases that must be notified. Specific reporting forms must be used and are available from HSE field offices.