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EDITION 16 – APRIL 2015
WHS
NEWS
BULLETIN
www.meercroft.org
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
MSDS
What does MSDS stand for?
1. The document provided by chemical or industrial
manufacturers that contains information on hazardous
chemicals. A MSDS includes: nature of the chemical,
precautions to take in using the chemical, conditions of
safe use, clean-up procedure during a spillage accident,
and recommended disposal procedures.
“Staff Health & Wellbeing”
Lavender bushes (pictured) along the
Main Entrance Driveway – February 2015
2. Information sheets generally prepared by manufacturers
listing ingredients by generic name, toxic properties,
recommendations for safe use, and other important
information.
MAIN CHEMICAL STORE ROOM
Welcome to the 16th edition of the Workplace Health
Safety News Bulletin.
Pictured above: necessary signage, eye wash,
MSDS register and safe storage of chemicals
Under the Work Health & Safety Regulations 2012 all
material safety data sheets must be reviewed every 5 years;
and amend the safety data sheet whenever necessary to
ensure it contains correct, current information.
Pictured from left: Pauline Boyle, Jean Stones and Caitlin
Mould administering some LTC to the gold fish located
Main Reception area.
In total, there are 8 MSDS register master copy sites
located across the facility. Includes all nurse stations and
main kitchen. There is also an additional 18 locations i.e.
cleaners store rooms and staff room containing MSDS
sheets.
MACERATORS
In relation to recent concerns that have been raised
regarding macerators, please find by way of explanation
proven facts regarding the system and its actual impact on
sewerage systems throughout Australia.
Biodegradable pulp which is used to make the single use
consumables e.g. washbowls, kidney dishes etc. are made
from unused newspapers and magazines. They are deinked,
de-stapled and subsequently shaped to form the various
single use consumables mentioned above using a small
amount of resin – no other chemicals are used.
A high water content is used in the manufacturing of the
consumables which allows for complete maceration when
combined with human waste. Once the consumables and
human waste are fully macerated after a two minute cycle,
the combined contents are a broken down into a fine
watery slurry which is in fact finer then human waste itself.
Due to the substance being broken down to fine watery
slurry, its transition from the macerator to a sewerage
system is seamless and relatively straight forward. The
broken down pulp itself does not cause blockages if it is
allowed to pass through the sewerage pipes unhindered.
Pictured above: One of 4 macerators currently in service a
Meercroft Care Inc. with a biodegradable midi slipper pan
liner (left) and a male urinal (right)
In reported cases of blockages involving facilities which
use macerators, further investigations have found that the
blockages were often caused by other foreign objects
finding their way into the sewerage pipes e.g. wipes,
gloves, incontinence pads etc.
 Cost effective (up to a 97% reduction in power and 60%
reduction water consumption)
 Heavily reduced maintenance and servicing costs
 Greatly reduced risk of cross-infection
It is also important to note that a macerator will not or
dispose of said objects as they are designed to stop
operating once the blades detects something that is not
human waste, a Vernacare consumable or toilet paper.
 WHS benefits (no steam, no splashing from sluicing, no
pans/bottles awaiting processing, no chemicals required
and no potential burns)
 More hygienic
In relation to the claim that macerators are not allowed in
certain states, this statement is not correct. At present, there
are over 2,500 macerators used throughout 150 hospitals
and aged care facilities throughout all states within
Australia.
 Biodegradable products
 Environmentally impact (no detergents, chemicals, and a
significant reduction in power).
As most new hospitals and aged care facilities now prefer
the macerator system, there is no doubt that this system is
the way of the future. It provides benefits to all areas of the
facility and for the patient and or resident.
Up until recently, macerators were not permitted for use
within NSW due to a misconception by Sydney water on
how the system actually works.
Once a complete review of the system was provided by
EBOS to Sydney water, use of the macerator was permitted
by Sydney water in certain areas within NSW.
It is also important to note that the macerator system was
designed and developed in the United Kingdom. The UK
has now phased out pan sanitizers in all of its hospitals and
aged care facilities and subsequently replaced them with
macerators.
Furthermore, please see below a brief outline of further
benefits of this system:
Acknowledgement: Meercroft Care Inc. wishes to thank
EBOS Group Australia Pty Ltd in providing the above text
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Manager or Supervisor Duty of Care:
WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY
ACT 2012
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 a manager
or a supervisor is deemed to be a “worker” (duty owed
by) and similarly a “worker” (duty owed to) at or near
workplaces. Responsible for reducing frequency and
severity of injury through WHS and best practice
injury management:
DUTY OF CARE
Terminology:
EMPLOYER  PCBU
(Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking)
 Understand obligations
 lead by example and promote positive safety culture
 ensure team trained and competent
 risk management – workplace inspections, risk
assessments
 regular team meetings and consultations
MANAGER  OFFICER
EMPLOYEE  WORKER
OTHERS  VISITORS
 early intervention if an incident occurs
 ensure all incidents reported and investigated
 provide suitable duties and support for injured
workers.
 documentation
 monitor effectiveness of safety measures
Workers & Others Duty of Care:
Officers Duty of Care:
Worker – anyone who carries out work for the
organization in any capacity e.g. employee, contractor,
volunteer, work experience.
In line with definition under the Corporations Act 2001
who make or participate in decisions.
Other – visitors
 senior management team e.g. directors, company
secretary, CFO, GM, CEO, other senior managers
 executives such as HR Manager
 must exercise due diligence to ensure the entity
complies with its obligations:
As far as reasonably practicable:
 care for the health and safety of themselves and
others
 cooperate with all reasonable instructions
 comply with all reasonable policies and
procedures:
 be involved and keep up to date
 know the hazards and risks of the business
 provide appropriate resources to eliminate
or minimise risks
 receive and respond to incident information
 implementing processes for incident
reporting, consultation, training

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reporting incidents and hazards
wearing PPE
follow safe work practices
involvement in corrective actions
participate in consultation
I started working at Meercroft in 1985 doing night
shift. It was a mixed bag of duties, veggie peeling,
vacuuming, getting the porridge ready and care duties.
EMPLOYEE
FOCUS
As Meercroft grew so did the care duties and night
shift was very busy. The R.N. and carer worked as a
team and I learnt lots from them.
I think the best change during my work here has been
the introduction of manutension (manual handling)
and all the equipment that came with it.
Also Timmy and Tubby (cats) have made Meercroft
more homely. They have worked their magic with lots
of sad residents of an evening when they wanted a
cuddle, especially Timmy.
I have made many friends among staff, residents,
families and volunteers, and over the years we have
had lots of fun times, both at work and away.
I enjoy hearing stories from the residents - Pilky's
motorbike exploits and the stories about the
boobyalla's - are among many. I also like Jim's epic
kisses.
Pamela Davern
Extended Care Assistant
I was born in Albury, New South Wales, half an hour
after my brother and a total surprise for my parents.
I'm secretary of the social club, temporary position,
anyone interested come and see us. I also do voluntary
driving for MCC which I have been doing for a long
time now.
After my brother was born the doctor said to Mum
"hang around there's another one coming".
Mum's first news she was having twins. Dad was met
by the doctor who said "what did you want, boy or
girl". Dad said it didn't matter and was told "good you
have one of each".
I have 4 children, 6 grandchildren, 2 cats and 1 dog. I
like travelling, walking, exercising and pottering in
my garden, all of which I can enjoy more now in my
semi-retirement.
I spent the first 5 and a half years of my life on farms
in the Wymah district, a few kilometres from Albury,
where my Dad was a farm hand and where my mother
grew up.
I like working at Meercroft, we have the best
discussions around the staff room table. I HAVE
LEARNT HEAPS!
Dad received a war grant for a farm and we moved to
Paloona, Tasmania very near to where he grew up at
Melrose.
When I left school I started working at The Advocate
in Devonport. I did a book-binding apprenticeship in
the printing department.
Over the time I worked there I worked in a lot of
different areas, office, reception, telephone
switchboard and advertising.
Workplace Health & Safety Committee 2015
4