This occupational health and hygiene toolbox talk:
Under work health and safety legislation, a person conducting a business is required to provide and maintain systems of work that are, as far as is practicable, safe and without risks to health. Accordingly, health, welfare and hygiene are some of the basic safety requirements of a workplace and all personnel must be protected against harm to their health, safety and personal hygiene.
This occupational health and hygiene toolbox talk provides practical guidance for workers against harm to their health, safety and welfare, through the elimination or minimisation of workplace hazards and risks that may arise from their work tasks, the work environment and exposure to health hazards.
Health can be described as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Good health and hygiene are essential for many reasons:
It is important to practice good health, welfare and hygiene habits (e.g. using hand sanitisers) from an early age, as these habits will stay with us for life. Good health also requires us to eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly and get adequate rest. There are also many simple steps that we can take at work to maintain good hygiene, including washing our hands often and keeping food preparation areas clean.
Biological hazards can cause a variety of health effects, such as skin irritations, allergies and infections, etc. The risk of biological hazards in the workplace can be managed by identifying areas of exposure, assessing the risks and consulting qualified medical personnel, or industrial hygienists, as is necessary to control risks.
Note: Where a known biological hazard exists, a medical practitioner and/or occupational hygienist should be consulted on applicable vaccinations as a control measure, to minimise the risk of infections.
This 2-page toolbox talk on occupational health and hygiene provides practical guidance for workers against harm to their health, safety and welfare, through the elimination or minimisation of risks that may arise from their work tasks and workplace exposure hazards.
