A7 The Assessment and Evaluation Of Risk Flashcards
External information sources
HSE EU safety agency Internal labour organisation (ILO) W.H.O British & international standards Safety organisation IOSH, British Safety council Trade bodies Manufacturers publications
Hazard groups
Physical
Biological
Chemical
Psychological
Duties of manufacturers and suppliers under HSWA section 6
Provision of adequate information to cover reasonably foreseeable risks
Include information on setting, using, cleaning, maintaining, dismantling and disposal of articles
Include information on using, handling, processing, storing, handling and disposal of substances
Provide new information to past customers as far as reasonably Practicable
Internal sources of information
Loss data and near miss information Inspection and audit records Maintenance records Safety’s tours and observations Training records Ill health and discomfort records Occupational health data Absence records
5 steps to a RA
Identify the hazards Decide who might be at risk and how Evaluate and decide on control measures Record significant findings Review when necessary
Risk assessment types
generic - common tasks
Specific - apply to particular work activities
Dynamic - for activities that are evolving and require quick mental assessment (ie fire fighting)
- Qualitative = based on judgement
- Semi quantitative = based on judgement ranked on a scale
- Quantitive = figures and formulas in absolute terms
Risk retention
With knowledge
Without knowledge
Principles of prevention
- Avoid risk
- Evaluate those unavoidable
- combat at source
- Adapt work to individual
- Adapt to technical progress
- Replace with less or non dangerous
- Give collective control measures priority over individual protection
- Give information
Uses for accident and Ill health data
Measure effectiveness of preventative/ control measures
Consider accident tends
Consider parts of the body injured - use of PPE
Consider accident tends
Classify work place
Classify occupations
Classify industries according to risk
Determine hazards in a work place by using cause of injury
HSE 4 Ps when making a comprehensive checklist approach to RAs/ inspections
- Premises - access/escape, housekeeping, working environment
- plant and substances- machinery guarding, LEV, Use, storage, separation of materials and substances
- procedures - permit to work, use of PPE, procedures followed
- People - Health surveillance, behaviour, appropriate authorised persons
Formulation and prioritisation of actions (hierarchy of control for RAs)
- Elimination- can I remove the hazard
- Substitute the hazard- less risky option
- Contain the risk- prevent access (via guarding)
- Reduce exposure to the hazard- reduce number of persons exposed, or reduce duration
- PPE- provision of PPE
- Skill/supervision- competence of individuals
- Welfare arrangements- first aid facilities, washing facilities to remove contamination
MHSWR Regulation 3
Requires the risk assessment to be suitable and sufficient
Categories of risk
Acceptable- no further action required (risks are inherently low or easily controlled to a low level)
Unacceptable- risks cannot be justified despite the benefits they may bring (this doesn’t include voluntary risks such as high risk sports) volenti non fit injura
Tolerable- does not mean acceptable but society is prepared to endure such risks because of the benefits
Definition of guide words in HAZOP
Guide words are simple words intended to prompt discussion within the HAZOP team at each node point. They should be general enough to prompt discussion as the a likely state but not so general as to cause confusion
Typical HAZOP guide words
- No or Not = No flow, no power
- More = more flow, more pressure
- Less = less flow, less pressure
- as well as = impurity present
- part of = only one component present
- reverse = back flow
- other than = wrong material
