L30: Workplace Risk Assessment Flashcards
- The concept of a workplace risk assessment is that it is a continual β¦β¦
- It is not a snapshot of a workplace β like a photograph, which can be likened to a workplace inspection.
on-going process
Def of Hazard
- the intrinsic ability of something (e.g. work materials, equipment, work methods and practices) with the potential to cause harm.
Def of Risk
- 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
Def of Risk assessment
- 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
what is the purpose of Risk Assessment?
To enable the employer to effectively take the measures necessary for the safety and health protection of workers.
Scope of Risk Assessment
- 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
When Should Risk Assessment be done?
βΆ Before new processes or activities are introduced.
β· Before changes are introduced to existing
processes or activities.
βΈ When hazards are identified.
Steps of Risk Assessment
- Identify the hazards
- who might be harmed?
- Evaluate the risk
- Who is responsible for implementing risk control measures?
- Record, monitor, review & update
Step 1 in Risk Assessment
- This is one of the most important steps in the risk assessment process.
- A hazard that is not identified cannot be managed .
- This is one of the most important steps in the risk assessment process.
- A hazard that is not identified cannot be managed .
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Tools for helping you to identify hazards
Examples of Occupational Hazards
- Physical
- Chemical
- Biological
- Ergonomic
- mechanical
- Psychological
Physical Occupational Hazards
Chemical Occupational Hazards
Biological Occupational Hazards
Mechanical Occupational Hazards
Ergonomic Occupational Hazards
Psychological Occupational Hazards
Step 2 in Risk Assessment
Identify who might be harmed and how
βΆ 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
β· 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
Step 3 in Risk Assessment
- 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 measuresβ
Hierarchy of risk control measures
Risk Control Measure 1
- Eliminate the hazard - total removal of the hazard from the workplace
Risk Control Measure 2
Substitute the system of work, plant or substance with something safer, e.g. less hazardous cleaning agent
Risk Control Measure 3
- Isolate the hazard from the employees, e.g. introduce a restricted work area in a laboratory
Risk Control Measure 4
- Engineering controls, e.g. fume hoods and machine guarding
Risk Control Measure 5
- Administrative controls, e.g. warning signs, rotation of tasks, training and routine maintenance
Risk Control Measure 6
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), e.g. gloves, safety glasses and dust coats
Step 3.a
- What are you already doing in terms of existing risk control measures?
- 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 βNo further action at this stageβ
If existing risk control measures for a given hazard provide adequate protection for workers
- then β¦β¦
- Then no extra controls or expenditure are needed for this particular hazard. So, for this hazard, you can mark βNo further action at this stageβ
If the existing measures for a particular hazard are either absent or do not sufficiently reduce the risk of harm
- then β¦..
then proceed to Step 3.B and identify and decide βWhat further risk controls are needed?β and then implement them.
Step 3.B in Risk assessment
What further risk control measures are needed?
Step 4 in Risk Assessment
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.
Risk Matrix
βΆ 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
β· The risk level determines which risks should be tackled first, starting obviously with the highest risks.
βΈ Using a matrix can be helpful for prioritizing actions to control a risk.
A risk matrix does this by β¦..
- Categorizing the likelihood of harm and the potential severity of that harm. This is then plotted in a matrix
The risk level determines which risks should be tackled first, starting obviously with the β¦..
highest risks
Using a matrix can be helpful for prioritizing actions to control a risk.
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Step 5 in Risk Assessment
Record your findings, monitor and review your risk assessment, and update when necessary
- Taking action to implementing risk control measures is not the end of the risk assessment process.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- You will also need to monitor and check the effectiveness of risk control measures and ensure that they are maintained
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- 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
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Doneeeeeeeee
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