L30: Workplace Risk Assessment

Question 1

• The concept of a workplace risk assessment is that it is a continual ……
• It is not a snapshot of a workplace – like a photograph, which can be likened to a workplace inspection.

Answer 1

on-going process

Question 2

Def of Hazard

Answer 2

• the intrinsic ability of something (e.g. work materials, equipment, work methods and practices) with the potential to cause harm.

Question 3

Def of Risk

Answer 3

• It is the likelihood that the potential for harm will be attained under the conditions of use and/ or exposure, and the possible extent of the harm

Risk = severity of harm x probability of harm

Question 4

Def of Risk assessment

Answer 4

• the process of evaluating the risk to the health and safety of workers while at work arising from the circumstances of the occurrence of a hazard at the workplace

Question 5

what is the purpose of Risk Assessment?

Answer 5

To enable the employer to effectively take the measures necessary for the safety and health protection of workers.

Question 6

Scope of Risk Assessment

Answer 6

• Depending on the size and complexity of the business or enterprise, and the range of hazards (dangers) involved, the risk assessment can vary in scope

Question 7

When Should Risk Assessment be done?

Answer 7

❶ Before new processes or activities are introduced.

❷ Before changes are introduced to existing
processes or activities.

❸ When hazards are identified.

Question 8

Steps of Risk Assessment

Answer 8

• Identify the hazards
• who might be harmed?
• Evaluate the risk
• Who is responsible for implementing risk control measures?
• Record, monitor, review & update

Question 9

Step 1 in Risk Assessment

Answer 9

• This is one of the most important steps in the risk assessment process.
• A hazard that is not identified cannot be managed .

Question 10

• This is one of the most important steps in the risk assessment process.
• A hazard that is not identified cannot be managed .

Answer 10

…

Question 11

Tools for helping you to identify hazards

Answer 11

Question 12

Examples of Occupational Hazards

Answer 12

• Physical
• Chemical
• Biological
• Ergonomic
• mechanical
• Psychological

Question 13

Physical Occupational Hazards

Answer 13

Question 14

Chemical Occupational Hazards

Answer 14

Question 15

Biological Occupational Hazards

Answer 15

Question 16

Mechanical Occupational Hazards

Answer 16

Question 17

Ergonomic Occupational Hazards

Answer 17

Question 18

Psychological Occupational Hazards

Question 19

Step 2 in Risk Assessment

Answer 19

Identify who might be harmed and how

❶ For EACH identified hazard, you need to be clear about who might be harmed and how.

• This means identifying groups of workers, and others such as the public, who are at risk of exposure to the hazards, how they are at risk, and the potentially negative consequences (immediate/ long-term) for their safety and health

❷ It is also important to think about vulnerable groups of workers e.g. New or young workers, new or expectant mothers, and people with disabilities

Question 20

Step 3 in Risk Assessment

Answer 20

• Identify and decide on the safety and health risk control measure
• For each hazard identified, the core activity in risk assessment is to identify, decide on, and implement the safety and health risk controls following the order in which they are listed in what is termed the hierarchy of risk control measures”

Question 21

Hierarchy of risk control measures

Question 22

Risk Control Measure 1

Answer 22

• Eliminate the hazard - total removal of the hazard from the workplace

Question 23

Risk Control Measure 2

Answer 23

Substitute the system of work, plant or substance with something safer, e.g. less hazardous cleaning agent

Question 24

Risk Control Measure 3

Answer 24

• Isolate the hazard from the employees, e.g. introduce a restricted work area in a laboratory

Question 25

Risk Control Measure 4

Answer 25

• Engineering controls, e.g. fume hoods and machine guarding

Question 26

Risk Control Measure 5

Answer 26

• Administrative controls, e.g. warning signs, rotation of tasks, training and routine maintenance

Question 27

Risk Control Measure 6

Answer 27

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), e.g. gloves, safety glasses and dust coats

Question 28

Step 3.a

• What are you already doing in terms of existing risk control measures?

Answer 28

• If existing risk control measures for a given hazard provide adequate protection for workers
• Then no extra controls or expenditure are needed for this particular hazard. So, for this hazard, you can mark “No further action at this stage”

Question 29

If existing risk control measures for a given hazard provide adequate protection for workers

• then ……

Answer 29

• Then no extra controls or expenditure are needed for this particular hazard. So, for this hazard, you can mark “No further action at this stage”

Question 30

If the existing measures for a particular hazard are either absent or do not sufficiently reduce the risk of harm

• then …..

Answer 30

then proceed to Step 3.B and identify and decide “What further risk controls are needed?” and then implement them.

Question 31

Step 3.B in Risk assessment

Answer 31

What further risk control measures are needed?

Question 32

Step 4 in Risk Assessment

Answer 32

Record who is responsible for implementing which risk control measures and the timeframe

• For each control measure indicated in risk assessment, you should specify the person(s) responsible for implementing the measure along with a date for its completion.
• The risk assessment should also be marked up when the control measure has been successfully installed or activated.

Question 33

Risk Matrix

Answer 33

❶ Such a tool can be used to help you work out the level of risk associated with a particular issue.

A risk matrix does this by categorizing the likelihood of harm and the potential severity of that harm. This is then plotted in a matrix

❷ The risk level determines which risks should be tackled first, starting obviously with the highest risks.

❸ Using a matrix can be helpful for prioritizing actions to control a risk.

Question 34

A risk matrix does this by …..

Answer 34

• Categorizing the likelihood of harm and the potential severity of that harm. This is then plotted in a matrix

Question 35

The risk level determines which risks should be tackled first, starting obviously with the …..

Answer 35

highest risks

Question 36

Using a matrix can be helpful for prioritizing actions to control a risk.

Answer 36

…

Question 37

Step 5 in Risk Assessment

Answer 37

Record your findings, monitor and review your risk assessment, and update when necessary

Question 38

• Taking action to implementing risk control measures is not the end of the risk assessment process.

Answer 38

…

Question 39

• Recording your findings: In Step 5, it is necessary to record and display your findings, writing down the significant hazards you have identified and the
  group(s) of workers and other people at risk.

Answer 39

….

Question 40

• The risk control measures to be implemented and the responsible person(s) and other information noted in Step 4 must be recorded and readily available for workers, supervisors, and occupational safety and health inspectors to see.

Answer 40

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Question 41

• This record is a useful tool for employers, supervisors, workers, and their representatives alike, and should be kept for future use. It can be used as a reference tool, to remind everyone to be aware of particular hazards and the measures needed to reduce the associated risks.

Answer 41

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Question 42

• You will also need to monitor and check the effectiveness of risk control measures and ensure that they are maintained

Answer 42

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Question 43

• The risk assessment is not a one-time activity. It needs to be reviewed from time to time, at least annually if not more often

Answer 43

…

Question 44

Doneeeeeeeee

Answer 44

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