Workplace Observation
Industry sector, general description of the workplace and my role in the workplace:
The workplace that is the focus of this report is a professional services firm located in the Sydney Central Business District. The firm employs over 1,000 employees and provides professional services such as tax consulting to both local and international clients.
The firm occupies a 30-level tower building. Each level follows roughly the same layout:
• There is a kitchen located on each corner of the building, which includes common appliances such as a microwave, refrigerator, coffee machine, vending machine, sink and a photocopier.
• The office follows an open-plan layout where most junior employees are allocated cubicles.
• The open-plan office …show more content…
Type of hazard Sources of harm
Biological • Frequent close contact with other staff may facilitate spreading of germs.
Chemical • Exposure to toner dust from laser printers and photocopiers.
Heat • Inadequate ventilation and air conditioning may result in build up of heat.
Fire • Risk of fire due to extensive use of electrical and electronic equipment such as computers, printers, etc.
Noise • Noise from printers and photocopiers can be above the acceptable threshold especially since they are located very close to workstations.
Physical • Walkways are narrow and obstacles such as recycling and archive boxes.
• Lifting boxes and moving books from one place to another.
• Posturing when sitting and ergonomics of using a computer.
Psychological • Stress from overwork is commonplace.
• Occurrence of bullying and sexual harassment.
Mechanical • Use of paper shredder can be dangerous without training.
• Replacing toner cartridges and paper in printers and copiers.
Types of training provided and potential
The workplace that is the focus of this report is a professional services firm located in the Sydney Central Business District. The firm employs over 1,000 employees and provides professional services such as tax consulting to both local and international clients.
The firm occupies a 30-level tower building. Each level follows roughly the same layout:
• There is a kitchen located on each corner of the building, which includes common appliances such as a microwave, refrigerator, coffee machine, vending machine, sink and a photocopier.
• The office follows an open-plan layout where most junior employees are allocated cubicles.
• The open-plan office …show more content…
Type of hazard Sources of harm
Biological • Frequent close contact with other staff may facilitate spreading of germs.
Chemical • Exposure to toner dust from laser printers and photocopiers.
Heat • Inadequate ventilation and air conditioning may result in build up of heat.
Fire • Risk of fire due to extensive use of electrical and electronic equipment such as computers, printers, etc.
Noise • Noise from printers and photocopiers can be above the acceptable threshold especially since they are located very close to workstations.
Physical • Walkways are narrow and obstacles such as recycling and archive boxes.
• Lifting boxes and moving books from one place to another.
• Posturing when sitting and ergonomics of using a computer.
Psychological • Stress from overwork is commonplace.
• Occurrence of bullying and sexual harassment.
Mechanical • Use of paper shredder can be dangerous without training.
• Replacing toner cartridges and paper in printers and copiers.
Types of training provided and potential