Cancel Send. Send Cancel. Don't show again. Sign in or create an account OK Don't show again. Image: A risk assessment helps determine the strategies needed to minimize hazards.
Q: What is a risk assessment? Q: What steps must be taken in a risk assessment? The fundamental steps in the risk assessment process include: Identifying tasks and the associated hazards in the workplace, Assessing the probability and severity of harm, Reducing the risk of harm through the elimination of the hazard or through the use of safeguarding methods, and Documenting the process and the results.
Q: What standards should be followed? There are many standards! Q: Who is responsible for conducting a risk assessment? Q: Who should be involved in the risk assessment process? Q: Can a consultant be hired to carry out a risk assessment? Q: When should a risk assessment be conducted? Q: What needs to be assessed?
Q: How should this process begin? Q: What can be done to reduce the risk of injury on hard-to-guard hazardous machines? Q: How should risks be prioritized? Q: How do you determine which hazards are worse than others?
Industry risk assessment models are designed to assist with this process. Q: What industries use risk assessments? Q: Do small companies need to record the results of a risk assessment?
Q: Do OEMs need to perform a risk assessment? Q: How can the accuracy of a risk assessment be verified? Q: How can one be certain of compliance with standards in other countries? Q: Where does a risk assessment fit into the safety program? Featured Products. Please visit our Cookie Policy page for more information on how we use cookies.
By law, employers and those who control workplaces to any extent, must identify hazards in the workplaces under their control and assess the risk presented by the hazards. Employers must write down the risks and what to do about them. This is known as Risk Assessment. The aim of Risk Assessment is to reduce the risk of injury and illness associated with work. The Risk Assessment s will form part of your Safety Statement.
A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm in terms of human injury or ill health, such as work materials, equipment, work methods or practices, poor work design or exposure to harmful agents such as chemicals, noise or vibration.
A risk is the likelihood that somebody will be harmed by the hazard and how serious the harm might be. When considering risk, you should also consider the number of people at risk from the hazard.
Control measures or controls are the precautions taken to ensure that a hazard will not injure anyone. When putting a control measure in place ensure that is does not create an additional hazard. In general, determine: What the scope of your risk assessment will be e. The resources needed e. What type of risk analysis measures will be used e. Who are the stakeholders involved e. What relevant laws, regulations, codes, or standards may apply in your jurisdiction, as well as organizational policies and procedures.
In general, to do an assessment, you should: Identify hazards. Determine the likelihood of harm, such as an injury or illness occurring, and its severity. Consider normal operational situations as well as non-standard events such as maintenance, shutdowns, power outages, emergencies, extreme weather, etc. Review all available health and safety information about the hazard such as Safety Data Sheet SDS , manufacturers literature, information from reputable organizations, results of testing, workplace inspection reports, records of workplace incidents accidents , including information about the type and frequency of the occurrence, illnesses, injuries, near misses, etc.
Understand the minimum legislated requirements for your jurisdiction. Identify actions necessary to eliminate the hazard, or control the risk using the hierarchy of risk control methods.
Evaluate to confirm if the hazard has been eliminated or if the risk is appropriately controlled. Monitor to make sure the control continues to be effective. Keep any documents or records that may be necessary.
Documentation may include detailing the process used to assess the risk, outlining any evaluations, or detailing how conclusions were made. When doing an assessment, also take into account: The methods and procedures used in the processing, use, handling or storage of the substance, etc.
The actual and the potential exposure of workers e. The measures and procedures necessary to control such exposure by means of engineering controls, work practices, and hygiene practices and facilities.
The duration and frequency of the task how long and how often a task is done. The location where the task is done. The machinery, tools, materials, etc. Any possible interactions with other activities in the area and if the task could affect others e. The lifecycle of the product, process or service e. The education and training the workers have received.
How a person would react in a particular situation e. To be sure that all hazards are found: Look at all aspects of the work. Include non-routine activities such as maintenance, repair, or cleaning. Include people who work off site either at home, on other job sites, drivers, teleworkers, with clients, etc.
Look at the way the work is organized or done include experience of people doing the work, systems being used, etc. Look at foreseeable unusual conditions for example: possible impact on hazard control procedures that may be unavailable in an emergency situation, power outage, etc.
Determine whether a product, machine or equipment can be intentionally or unintentionally changed e. Review all of the phases of the lifecycle. Examine risks to visitors or the public. Consider the groups of people that may have a different level of risk such as young or inexperienced workers, persons with disabilities, or new or expectant mothers.
It may help to create a chart or table such as the following: Example of Risk Assessment Task Hazard Risk Priority Control Delivering product to customers Drivers work alone May be unable to call for help if needed Drivers have to occasionally work long hours Fatigue, short rest time between shifts Drivers are often in very congested traffic Increased chance of collision Longer working hours Drivers have to lift boxes when delivering product Injury to back from lifting, reaching, carrying, etc.
Past experience knowledge from workers, etc. Health and safety material about the hazard such as safety data sheets SDSs , research studies, or other manufacturer information. Information from reputable organizations. Results of testing atmospheric or air sampling of workplace, biological swabs, etc.
The expertise of an occupational health and safety professional. Information about previous injuries, illnesses, near misses, incident reports, etc. Observation of the process or task. Remember to include factors that contribute to the level of risk such as: The work environment layout, condition, etc. The systems of work being used.
The range of foreseeable conditions. The way the source may cause harm e.
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