Report on Operation Of Dishwashers Located in Communal Kitchens - Health care

Internal Code: MAS6883

Healthcare Assignment:

Research on appropriate control measures to reduce risk associated with exposure to dishwashing powder uncovered a Health Risk Assessment was undertaken by Institute for Environmental Science and Research (ESR) in New Zealand This Risk Assessment also considered exposure to dishwashing powder to be unlikely, and the potential effects to be serious. The ESR assessment noted dishwashing powder in tablet form (rather than loose powder) further decreased the likelihood of exposure for adults (2014). Based on the above, substituting dishwasher powder for dishwasher tablets will reduce the likelihood of exposure from unlikely to rare. Thereby reducing the overall risk rating to an acceptable level. Further administrative controls (detailed below) are recommended, in line with WHS r.344 (5) to ensure staff have ‘sufficient information about the safe use, handling and storage’ of this hazardous chemical. These controls will focus on raising awareness of the hazard, outlining appropriate ways to interact with the product and making sure staff and first aiders know how to access Safety Data Sheets if ever required. During the hazard identification stage, staff were observed loading and unloading the dishwasher. Approximately half the staff placed sharp knives point up in the cutlery basket creating the potential for cuts or lacerations to hands, fingers or wrist. Muhsen and Khadim’s 2014 study on dishwasher related injuries, reported similar behaviour in participants. The manufacturer’s Operating Instructions recommend sharp knives be placed on a knife shelf on the top tray of the dishwasher (Robert Bosch Hausgerate [RBH] n.d.) to minimise the risk of injury. (See Figures 3 and 4) Giving consideration to the Hierarchy of Controls (see Figure 5), eliminating sharp knives from the workplace is not a practical control measure. Elimination would inconvenience staff and could create new hazards. Whilst unlikely to have an effect on the overall risk rating, further administrative controls are recommended to meet the provisions of ‘as far as is reasonably practicable’ under r.36 of the WHS Regulations.