Page 250 - Registrar Orientation Manual 2016

Harm where the severity of the effects depends on the extent or frequency of the exposure to the hazard.
Harm that does not usually occur, or is not easily detectable, until a significant time after the exposure to the hazard.
Step Three: Control hazards
If the hazard is significant, the manager (along with staff) must use a hierarchy of consideration to control the hazard, which is as follows: elimination, isolation if elimination is not practicable or minimise if elimination and isolation is not practicable.
a) Eliminate the hazard
A significant hazard will be eliminated when the source of the hazard has been completely removed from the place of work.
b) Isolate the hazard
If it is not practicable to eliminate the hazard, it must be isolated. To be effectively isolated, the process or procedure adopted must separate the employee from the hazard by enclosing or permanently guarding the hazard in such a manner that it is no longer accessible by employees.
c) Minimise the hazard
If it is not practicable to eliminate or isolate the hazard, then all practicable steps must be taken to minimise the likelihood that the hazard will be a cause or source of harm.
If this option is used, the employer is required to:
Monitor an employee’s exposure to the hazard;
With the employee’s consent, monitor their health; and/or
Ensure that adequate protective clothing and equipment is supplied and worn.
Step Four: Report accidents / incidents and near misses
All staff must report all incidents/accidents or near misses. The forms that are to be used are available in all services, areas, wards and departments.
Incidents alert managers that there is either a hazard that hasn’t been identified yet or hasn’t been adequately controlled.
Any incident/accident or near miss will be investigated by the manager to find out what happened, whether or not a significant hazard is involved, and what can be done to prevent occurrences in the future.
The Waikato DHB Health and Safety Service, is required by the Department of Labour - Occupational Safety and Health Service (OSH), to keep a register of all incidents/accidents and near miss reports. If serious harm occurs, the Health and Safety Service will notify OSH.
Training and supervision
Managers are responsible for ensuring that all staff are trained to work safely.