WHS Induction for E4 Agency Healthcare Staff

Introduction

Welcome to your Work Health and Safety (WHS) Induction. 


As a labour hire worker for E4 People in the healthcare sector (including aged care, hospitals, or remote health clinics), you have rights and responsibilities under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW). 


This induction ensures you are aware of: 


  • Your legal duties 

  • The types of risks you may face 

  • How to work safely in healthcare environments 

  • Emergency and reporting procedures 


You will also be provided with key safety contacts and support details.

Your WHS Responsibilities – Under NSW Law

Under SafeWork NSW, all workers, including labour hire staff, must: 


  • Take reasonable care of your own health and safety 

  • Not put others at risk through your actions or omissions 

  • Follow any reasonable instruction, policy or procedure from the host employer and your agency 

  • Report hazards, incidents, or injuries immediately 


These duties apply in every workplace you attend, including: 


  • Hospitals and aged care homes 

  • Remote Aboriginal health clinics 

  • Community or outreach healthcare sites

Common Hazards in Your Work Environment

The healthcare industry presents a high risk of injury and illness. You must be alert to: 


Aged Care Settings 

  • Manual handling during patient transfers 

  • Resident aggression or confusion (e.g. dementia-related behaviour) 

  • Infectious outbreaks (e.g. gastro, flu, COVID-19) 

  • Slips and falls (wet floors, cluttered walkways) 


Hospitals 

  • In addition to the aforementioned: 

  • Sharps and needlestick injuries 

  • Contact with hazardous substances or medications 

  • Stress and fatigue (long shifts, high acuity) 

  • Cross-infection between wards or patients 


Remote Healthcare Settings 

  • In addition to the aforementioned: 

  • Lone work or isolated travel 

  • Limited access to emergency support 

  • Environmental hazards (wildlife, weather, poor roads) 

  • Cultural safety risks and community-specific issues

How to Control These Risks

SafeWork NSW emphasises risk management in four steps: 

1. Identify hazards → 2. Assess risks → 3. Control risks → 4. Review controls 


As a worker, you can: 

  • Follow safe work procedures 

  • Use PPE correctly and consistently 

  • Report hazards, broken equipment, or unsafe behaviour 

  • Ask for help if unsure 

  • Take breaks to avoid fatigue

Safe Use of Equipment and PPE

Before using any equipment (e.g. hoists, beds, sharps containers): 

  • Ensure you have been trained and assessed as competent 

  • Conduct a pre-use check for faults or risks 

  • Use it according to procedures 

  • Never improvise or create workarounds 


In remote areas, check that backup equipment and emergency kits are available and functional.

Emergency Procedures - What You Must Know

Every site must have an emergency plan. You must know: 


  • How to raise the alarm  

  • Evacuation routes and assembly points 

  • Who the fire/emergency wardens are 

  • How to support residents/patients during an emergency 

  • How to call for help, especially in remote locations 


Remote Workers: 

Be aware of your communication systems (e.g. radio, satellite phone) and duress protocols.

First Aid & Incident Reporting

Every site will have designated First Aid Officers and a stocked First Aid Kit. 


You must: 

  • Know where the first aid kit is 

  • Know who the first aiders are 

  • Report all injuries and near misses (even minor ones) 

  • Complete incident reports as required 


NSW Law requires prompt reporting of all incidents, including: 

  • Injury or illness 

  • Psychological harm 

  • Exposure to infectious diseases 

  • Equipment failures or malfunctions

Infection Prevention & Control (IPC)

Infection control is legally mandated under both WHS law and NSW Health protocols. 


You must: 

  • Perform hand hygiene before and after every task 

  • Use PPE correctly (e.g. gloves, masks, eye protection) 

  • Dispose of waste, sharps, and contaminated materials safely 

  • Follow outbreak or isolation procedures 

  • Report symptoms or illnesses promptly, do not work sick

Key WHS Contacts - Host Employer

The host employer must provide you with: 


  • Site-specific induction 

  • Emergency and WHS contact info 

  • Appropriate training and supervision 


You should be introduced to: 

  • First Aid Officer(s) 

  • Health and Safety Representative (HSR) 

  • Fire/Emergency Warden(s)

  • Return to Work Coordinator (if relevant) 

  • Infection Control Nurse or Clinical Lead 


If this information is not provided, ask your supervisor, nurse in charge, or team leader.

WHS Contact - Labour Hire Agency

You must also report all incidents, hazards, or concerns to your labour hire agency. 


Labour Hire WHS Contact: 

  • Name: Lil Siebel (Operations Manager)

  • Phone: 0483 930 587 

  • Email: lil@e4recruitment.com.au 

  • Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm

  • After-Hours Emergency Contact: 1300 854 400 


Do not stay silent about safety. If you feel unsafe or unwell, notify us immediately.


Worker Rights Under SafeWork NSW

As a healthcare worker in NSW, you have the right to: 


  • A safe working environment 

  • Refuse unsafe work (under Section 84 of the WHS Act) 

  • Be consulted about matters affecting your health and safety 

  • Access training and information 

  • Raise concerns without fear of retaliation 


You also have a duty to cooperate with health and safety policies.

Acknowledgement

I acknowledge that I have read and understood this WHS Induction, and I agree to follow all workplace health and safety requirements provided by both my host employer and E4 People, in accordance with SafeWork NSW legislation. 

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