Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Purpose

A hazard identification and risk assessment are processes used to identify and evaluate both existing and potential hazards on a worksite and the methods used to control or eliminate the hazards identified.

The assessment process must be completed prior to the start of all jobs to identify existing or potential hazards to workers and eliminate or control these hazards through the use of engineering or administrative controls, proper training or the use of personal protective equipment.

All company staff and contractors are required to take a proactive approach to managing and reporting hazards.  When they observe a hazard, they are required to take steps to manage that hazard directly (provided they are adequately knowledgeable / trained to safely do so) – eliminate the hazard or get assistance from appropriate persons to do so whenever reasonably possible.  Where hazards cannot be eliminated immediately, take necessary steps to warn others of the hazard.  Report hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions and acts to a supervisor or your site contact if a contractor.

Definitions

Hazard: Anything (e.g. condition, situation, practice, behavior) that has the potential to cause harm, including injury, disease, death, environmental, property and equipment damage. A hazard can be a thing or a situation.

Hazard Identification: This is the process of examining each work area and work task for the purpose of identifying all the hazards which are “inherent in the job”. Work areas include but are not limited to machine workshops, laboratories, office areas, stores, transport and maintenance.

Risk: The likelihood, or possibility, that harms (injury, illness, death, damage etc) may occur from exposure to a hazard.

Risk Assessment: Is defined as the process of assessing the risks associated with each of the hazards identified so the nature of the risk can be understood. This includes the nature of the harm that may result from the hazard, the severity of that harm and the likelihood of this occurring.

Step 1: Identification of a Hazard

This is a process of examining the work area and the work to be completed for the purposes of identifying all of the hazards inherent to the job or present at the job site.

Several things can help identify hazards in the work area and job site:

• Walking around the workplace to inspect what is in the general area.
• Asking other employees what they think about anything they have noticed.
• Reviewing a work instruction or job safety analysis.
• Inspecting an operator’s manual.
• Reviewing previous incident reports.

Here are several examples of hazards that may be found:

• Unguarded rotating, reciprocating and similar moving parts.
• Flammable liquids in the presence of ignition sources.
• Unlabeled containers of hazardous chemicals.
• Noise with the potential to damage hearing.
• Poorly designed tools having the potential to cause injury.
• Degraded and worn hand tools.
• Waste oil on the floor, causing a slipping hazard.

Workplace hazard identification, assessment and control are ongoing processes best conducted between those employees and management in control of the environment.

Step 2: Identify the Risk

Once a hazard has been identified, the risk associated with the hazard must be examined.

Before starting a risk assessment, it is useful to identify factors that may contribute to the risk. A review of regulations, previous injury reports, audits, inspections, and other areas can be used to judge whether the hazard being observed actually can or has caused an injury.

Step 3: Assess the Risk

It is then necessary to evaluate the likelihood of an injury occurring, along with an estimate of how severe the injury may be. Risk assessments therefore are based on two key factors:

• The likelihood that the injury (or illness) may actually occur. (Ex => Scale: 1 = rare, 2 = unlikely, 3 = moderate, 4 = likely, 5 = almost certain. etc)
• The severity of the injury (or illness) resulting from the hazard. (Ex=> Scale: 1 = may be an injury, 2 = first aid is required, 3 = OSHA recordable injury, 4 = lost time will result, 5 = fatal. etc)

A simple matrix is used to provide guidance as to whether the risk is acceptable or needs to be addressed (Figure 1). Remember that not all risk can be eliminated.

Urgent action is required for risks assessed as critical or high. These actions may include instructions for immediate cessation of the work and/or isolation of the hazard until permanent measures can be implemented.

Documented control plans with responsibilities and completion dates need to be developed for moderate risks.

Step 4: Control the Risk

New work procedures will need to be developed in relation to the new control measures. A good plan of action often includes many pieces, such as:

• Quick attention to critical or high-risk hazards
• Effective temporary solutions until permanent fixes can be applied.
• Long-term solutions to those risks judged to cause long-term illness.
• Long-term solutions to those risks with the worst consequences
• Arrangement for training workers on the main risks that remain and how they are to be controlled.
• Regular checks to make sure that control measures remain in place and it is clear who will take what action and by when.

By assigning a “risk rating,” the work at hand can prioritize hazards with the highest potential to cause an injury so that they can be eliminated first (Table 1).

Step 5: Document the Process

Documenting the process helps to ensure that the identified risk control measures are implemented in the way they were intended. It will also assist in managing other hazards and risks that may be in some way similar to ones already identified.

Adequate record keeping of the risk management process should show that the process has been conducted properly. This information should include:

• Hazards identified.
• Assessment of the risks associated with those hazards
• Decision on control measures to manage exposure to the risks.
• How and when the control measures are implemented.
• Evidence of monitoring and reviewing of the effectiveness of the controls.

Step 6: Monitor and Review

Whichever method of eliminating and/or controlling the hazard is used, it is essential that an evaluation of its impact on the use of the equipment, substance, system, or environment is carried out to ensure that the control does not contribute to the existing hazard or introduce a new hazard.

It is also essential that all people involved are informed about the changes and, when necessary, provided with the appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure that each worker is safe from injury and risk to health. It is also recommended that after a period of time, the area supervisor carry out a review of the system or control to determine its ongoing suitability.

Summary

Hazard identification and risk assessment and control are ongoing processes. Make sure to undertake a risk assessment and control process at the proper time and place so as to control the workplace, making it safe for all who enter.