Introduction to Workplace Health and Safety (WHS)

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At GadgetNest, the health and safety of our employees, customers, and visitors is our highest priority. We are committed to ensuring a safe and secure working environment by promoting and maintaining workplace health and safety standards in line with Australian legislation. This manual outlines the essential policies and procedures all employees must follow to minimise risk and prevent workplace accidents.

Risk Assessment Matrix

Commitment to Safety

GadgetNest is dedicated to:

  • Providing a safe and healthy workplace by identifying and mitigating hazards.

  • Ensuring that all employees understand their responsibilities when it comes to safety.

  • Complying with all applicable WHS laws, regulations, and codes of practice.

  • Providing appropriate training, supervision, and resources to ensure safety procedures are understood and followed.

Key Safety Policies

Emergency Procedures

Reporting Hazards
Evacuation Plan

In the event of an emergency, such as a fire, natural disaster or other immediate threat, employees must follow the designated evacuation plan. This includes following the exit routes, assembling at the designated muster point, and waiting for further instructions from the emergency warden.

•Emergency Contacts

A list of emergency contacts is posted near all workstations, including numbers for emergency services and internal safety officers.

Hazard Identification and Risk Management

All employees are required to report any hazards they encounter in the workplace. This includes faulty equipment, slippery surfaces, and blocked exit routes. Reports should be made immediately to a supervisor or the designated WHS officer. A template of a report is found on Canvas.

Risk Assessment

GadgetNest conducts regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards. This includes checking electrical equipment, storage areas, and ensuring that all work practices meet safety standards.

Employees are encouraged to participate in risk assessments by identifying any areas they feel may present a risk. All employees must learn how to conduct a risk assessment. A template is found on canvas.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy

Lifting Guidelines

GadgetNest enforces strict guidelines for manual handling to prevent injury. For items over 90cm in length (such as large TVs), a two-person lift is mandatory.

Employees should follow safe lifting techniques by keeping their back straight, bending their knees, and using their leg muscles to lift.

Use of Equipment

Where possible, mechanical aids such as trolleys or lifting devices must be used to move heavy items. Employees should be trained on how to use these devices safely.

Electrical Safety Policy

PPE Requirements

Depending on the task, employees may be required to wear PPE such as gloves, safety glasses, or protective footwear. PPE is provided by GadgetNest and must be used in accordance with the instructions provided during training.

•Maintenance of PPE

Employees are responsible for maintaining their PPE in good condition. Damaged or worn PPE should be reported immediately to a supervisor, and replacements will be issued.

Manual Handling Policy

Reporting an Incident

All workplace incidents, including near misses, must be reported immediately. This includes injuries, unsafe conditions, and equipment malfunctions. Employees must complete an incident report form, which will be reviewed and investigated by the WHS officer.

Investigation Process

All incidents are investigated to determine their root cause and to prevent future occurrences. Employees involved in the incident may be asked to provide additional information during the investigation process.

Employee Responsibilities and WHS Rights

Use of Electrical Equipment

All employees must ensure that electrical equipment is used safely. This includes checking power cords for damage, ensuring equipment is turned off when not in use, and never overloading power points.

Reporting Faults

Any faulty electrical equipment must be reported immediately to the WHS officer or store manager. The equipment should be tagged as “out of order” and removed from use until repairs are completed.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

•Employee Responsibilities

Every employee has the responsibility to work safely and follow GadgetNest’s WHS policies. This includes using equipment correctly, reporting hazards, and cooperating with WHS initiatives.

WHS Rights

Employees have the right to refuse work that they believe is unsafe without facing repercussions. All employees are entitled to a safe workplace and can report safety concerns without fear of discrimination or dismissal.

With our framework established, let’s look at how we apply these controls to the most common hazards in our daily operations.

Click on the box bellow to learn more about safety in GadgetNest.

Learn more

safety portal

Revisit the basics anytime. Click below to review the Workplace Safety Overview.

Safety Portal Home Page