OHS - Risk Assessment Scenario

[shveta83]

Hi there,

Need some help in risk assessment matrix.
A scenerio is given in the assignment ..'
Kylie has asked Nathan to help put up display art work.He is tall and can easily reach the boards. Nathan would normally use step ladder but it was broken some time ago and has not been repaired or replaced. Nathan decides to stand on child size chair. The thumb tack proves hard to push into the wood so Nathan stretches higher,the chair overbalances and he falls off.
The CD player and the box of CDs fall to the floor.The lid of the player smashes into several pieces and player lands on kylie 's foot.
nathan has jarred his shoulder and scraped his back and Kylie foot is badly bruised.they are both graceful no children were hurt.

Hazard1: standing on Child size chair
According to me : It can cause medical attention and several days off work or kill or cause permanent disability .
Risk control measure: Repair or replace step ladder for safety and Instead of display boards on such height where it is difficult to put the art work , Hang board on lower height which is easily accessible by adult and not reachable for kids .

Not sure how to explain as in consequences there are three points: Kill or cause disability,Long term serious illness,Medical attention and several days off,First aid needed.We have to tell the Assessed level of risk and probability.

And the 2nd hazard is Stretching above shoulder
Medical attention required as it may cause muscle pull .
Control measure: Replace/repair step ladder, Use of appropriate footwear

Thanks in advance for help

[Lorina]

Hi Shveta,

The answers you gave seem ok... If the step ladder was broken why did they have to display the art work up so high? This could have been avoided by displaying the artwork in another area where you did not have to stand on a ladder to access. Also, instead of using thumbtacks Nathan could have used blu tak to stick the artwork onto the wall. So, to me Nathan's decision to use a child's chair was his own fault.

Cheers ,
L.A