SAC 4 Flashcards
hazard identification methods?
talking with staff conducting physical inspections reviewing records of incidents and near misses media professional consultants publications talk with similar businesses
risk assessment methods
using a checklist
the ‘what if?’ method
risk assessment software systems
types of hazards
biological = bodily fluids
manual tasks = lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling
gravity = falling objects, slips, trips
radioactive = UV
psychosocial = stress, violence, fatigue
equipment = faults, breakages, maintenance issues
chemicals + dusts = acids or asbestos
workplace policies + procedures = not following correctly
risk control options (hierarchy of control)
level one - eliminate
level two - substitute, isolate, engineering controls
level three - administrative controls, PPE
impeding factors
factors that may impede a risk control include
- staff
- lack of resources
- lack of planning
- poor management and communication
risk assessment considerations
- likelihood
- rating
- consequences
- control options
acts, regulations and codes of practice
need to record and report hazards according to workplace procedures and WHS acts, regs and codes.
All Victorian workplaces need to be in accordance with
OC Health and safety act 2004
OC Health and safety regulations 2007
victorian compliance codes
consultation definition
the process of formally discussing something to seek advice and make decisions. It has a number of benefits for employees and the business as a whole
consultation benefits for employees
removal of hazards from workplace
protects health and safety of all workers and prevents injuries, illness and loss
improves employee confidence and moral
encourages employees to be responsible
makes them aware of organisations legal responsibilities
encouraging employee participation
is important for maintaining health and safety in the workplace encourage through valuing participation asking questions sharing information
consultations: how to engage
consider
time of day
length of meeting
use visuals and dot points and summarise information
ensure that people feel comfy, provide refreshments
advise workers of results and outcomes
consultation: legal requirements
is a legal requirement under OH & S act 2004. workers should be encouraged to participate in activities in accordance with WHS consultation and participation policies, procedures and processes
define reasonably practicable
means that employers should consult with employees based on what is possible in the circumstances. Will depend on the size of the organisation or business, the nature and structure of the workplace, work arrangments and literacy and language abilities
risk control implementation of eval plane
is important to ensure that risk control implementation is organised and well planned to ensure it is successful. when implementing a control you may find that the risk still exists or has been transferred to another.
risk control elements of an evaluation plan
- details of the consultation process
- list of allocated responsibilities and timeline
- resources required
- identify hazards
- assess the risk
- outline the risk control options
- outline any residual risk
- review the process and risk control option implemented
ways likelihood can be determined
quantitatively - expressed in numbers
qualitatively - descriptive words
ranking - most to least likely
what consequences are based on
amount of loss - money, time or clients
severity of injury - insignificant, minor, moderate, major or catastrophic
number of casualties
factors affecting the selection of risk control options
cost
time
resource availability
suitability
how do you evaluate the risk control option chosen
by the extent of the risk reduction
the extent of the benefits or opportunities created
taking into account the risk evaluation criteria
consultation benefits for the organisation
comply with legal requirements
creates more productive, cooperative and collaborative workplace
decreases the incidence of workplace accidents
decreases equipment damage
less worker compensation claims
risk assessment steps
- identify the hazard
- assess the risk
- control - select and implement
why should we conduct risk assessments
they help to:
identify hazards
protect employees
determine the likelihood and consequences of each hazard
allows to evaluate each risk and implement control measures
prioritise hazards which are more likely
worksafe reporting
all hazards must be recorded and reported internally. if there is a severe injury it must be reported to work safe within 48 hours as must any incidents with toxic gas, high risk equipment or explosives
