Origin HSE

🌟 What makes a workplace positive? 🌟

A positive workplace is built upon committed, motivated, and efficient employees. Here are some examples of positive workplace behaviours:

👥 Championing company values
🤝 Cooperating and collaborating with others
💡 Welcoming new ideas
🙏 Being respectful of colleagues
⚖️ Promoting a healthy work/life balance

🌈 Key contributors to workplace happiness 🌈

Positivity in the workplace influences employee inspiration, work ethic, personal satisfaction, and willingness to improve. Various factors shape the work environment:

🏢 The physical environment
👥 HR processes
🏢 Company culture

🛠️ Managing Risks in Scaffolding Work 🧪

Managing risks associated with scaffolds and scaffolding work is crucial to ensure a safe working environment.

Common risks with scaffolds and scaffolding work include falls from height, scaffold collapse, working near power lines, and falling objects. For further information, see the General guide for scaffolds and scaffolding work.

Remember to inspect and maintain your scaffolds regularly. The Guide to scaffolding inspection and Maintenance provides valuable information on how to do this properly.

If your scaffolding work involves a risk of falling more than 2 meters, it is considered high-risk construction work. Make sure to prepare a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for such projects.

Oil refining involves distillation, where crude oil is separated into fractions based on boiling points. However, the distillation process carries safety concerns. Leaks can cause fires, and corrosion from chemicals like HCl and H2S poses risks. Process safety management should control temperature, pressure, and reflux to prevent thermal cracking and ensure adequate relief systems.

Did you know that between 2016 and 2020, 386 fatal injuries occurred in the oil and gas industry? Process Safety Management (PSM) is the key to reducing such incidents. PSM emphasizes managing hazards associated with chemicals and integrating technologies and practices to enhance safety.

In oil and gas processes, such as petroleum refining, chemical releases can pose significant risks. For example, during crude oil pretreatment (desalting), the removal of contaminants is crucial. However, it can lead to equipment fouling, increased pressures, fires, and the release of harmful components. Following safe work practices and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to protect workers.

🔊 Managing Noise at Work: Prioritising Worker Safety! 👷‍♀️👷‍♂️

Identifying unsafe noise and managing it is a work health and safety duty for a PCBU. If you have identified unsafe noise at your workplace, you must do everything you can to reduce the risk of workers being exposed.

A noise assessment can be simple if your workplace has one source of noise above 85 decibels. If your workplace has variable noise levels, you may need a competent person to conduct the assessment.

Managing noise risks includes changing equipment, using barriers, limiting exposure time, and providing personal protective equipment like earmuffs or earplugs. Proper maintenance of equipment and tools can result in lower noise levels.

Industries most at risk of noise-related injuries are manufacturing and construction. Workers in technical roles, trades, machinery operation, driving, and labouring are particularly vulnerable. Exposure to ototoxic substances can also result in hearing loss.

For information and advice about hazards and risks, contact your local regulator, industry association, union, or health and safety consultant, like us!