Unit 6 (Diploma), 1.2 - "Outline key hazards and risks in own workplace, describing safe working practices."

Unit 6 (Diploma), 1.2 - "Outline key hazards and risks in own workplace, describing safe working practices."

My work place, like all the other apprentices on this course,  is situated in an office. And like a few other apprentices, too, my office is a very small, production-based set-up, so, in a way, it is more down to me to deal with all the possible health and safety risks, and then hazards that may arise on the job.

Because the office is small, there is a lot of wiring crossing the floor, which, before I intervened, could have easily been a tripping hazard. A lot of plugs remained near things like our water cooler and fridge, for example. 

To keep the wiring contained, I used cable protectors that we have in the office. This automatically reduces the risk of anyone tripping over the wiring we have in the office as it is a tool that has been specifically designed for such things, but also, protects the wires from being damaged, too.

In order to keep the plugs away from substances that could be a serious hazard, particularly for electrical substances (water), I organised the plugs, added many extension leads, and specifically made sure that as many plugs as possible were kept well away from the water cooler and fridge without being another risk in itself. 

We also have a section of the office, far away from our eating area (where the fridge, microwave, kettle, water cooler and cutlery) is, were all our chemicals are, which includes cleaning equipment and cleaning utensils.

Though a lot of people forget this, it is very important to keep dangerous chemicals away from food, as, even spraying a bottle of something in the area of where you are eating can be room for concern. It is always good to remain alert to these things, not just health and safety risks that may seem more obvious at first (like the wiring).