OHS: YouthSafe: Safety First: Urban Role Play

Urban Role Play

Ouch My Back!!!

The Scenario

Reena has just turned 15. She has just started a casual job at the local supermarket. On her first day Reena was shown around the store by Mark, the supermarket manager.

Mark showed her where the store room was and where different stock items were in the aisles. This tour and training took one hour. Then Reena was put to work stocking shelves with replacement stock from the store room.

The boxes were very heavy. The supermarket was very busy that day. There was nobody to help Reena, or give advice on the safe way to do this work. Reena worked all morning. She quickly became tired. However, she was too shy to ask for help or advice.

After lunch while carrying a heavy box, Reena felt a sharp, sudden pain in her back. But she kept working. When she got home her back was very sore. The following day she couldn't get out of bed and called in sick. Mark fired her on the spot because he thought she was faking. Mark did not lodge a workers compensation claim. Luckily Reena's older brother Joules had convinced her to join the union. Reena called her union and asked for help.

The role play begins with a meeting at the supermarket between Mark, the union organiser, Reena and her brother Joules to try and resolve the problem. The aim is to make sure Reena gets her job back and the supermarket manager carries out the employer's legal responsibilities regarding occupational health and safety.

The Characters

Reena: She is 15 years old and this is her first job. Reena's back is very sore and she holds her side as she talks. Reena doesn't know what she has done wrong and is shy.

Mark: He is in his 30s and has worked his way up to supermarket manager from the shop floor. Mark's priority is to make sure the store maintains its profit level. Mark does not make time to pay attention to occupational health and safety matters.

Joules: He is 20 and has been working for several years in a mechanics workshop. He is a workers' representative on the Occupational Health and Safety Committee at his workplace. Joules wants to see the right thing done for his sister.

Union organiser: The union organiser has been to this supermarket six months before on another occupational health and safety matter. The organiser is concerned that another serious problem has affected a young union member.

Activity Plan		Date:
Subject:	Topic:	Length:
OHS	Urban Role Play	40 min
Activity Outcomes
Students will demonstrate the application of OHS practice in the workplace. Students will evaluate their own feelings about workplace injuries.
Preparation
Photocopy of the scenario for each student. Characters' roles placed into envelopes. Students organised into groups of five participants. Gender of roles may be changed as appropriate.

Plan
Steps/ Activities:	Teacher Action	Student Action	Time
1. Introduce activity	Select students to read scenario aloud.	Selected students read sections of the scenario to the class.	10 min
2. Group role play. (for small classes one role play should be done and rest of class observe)	Organise groups of five. Four to role play, one to observe.	Students decide who plays what role or observe.	15 mins
3. Whole class discussion (Compile and describe results in groups then discuss as whole class)	Hand out material. Lead discussion.	Do role play. The observer records the main points of what happened. Observers read out what they saw. Rest of class discuss feelings during role play.	10 min
4. Conclude activity (Compile and describe results in groups then discuss as whole class)	Conclude activity.	Conclude activity.	5 min

Main issues

Reena should:

Have been trained to move the boxes safely.
Have been more aware of her rights.
Have asked for help. The Supermarket manager should:
Have ensured Reena was working safely and with correct training.
Not have fired Reena because she was injured.
Have recorded Reena's injury, offered her a workers compensation form. The Union organiser may:
Enter the workplace under the OHS Legislation
Help Reena to make a workers compensation claim.
Help Reena keep her casual job.
Take legal action under against the employer if the law has been broken.



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