Chapter 2: Risk Management and Assessment - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the risk management and assessment notes.

Risk management

The systematic process of identifying, assessing, and controlling hazards to minimize adverse effects on an organization.

Integrated risk management

Incorporating risk management into planning at all levels of the organization.

Accept unnecessary risks

Avoiding risks whose benefits do not justify the costs.

ALARP

As Low As Reasonably Practicable: reducing risks to a level that is as low as reasonably achievable given costs and benefits.

OSH (Occupational Safety and Health)

Framework and practices to ensure safe work environments; includes applicable laws and standards.

OSHA 1994

Occupational Safety and Health Act with general duties of employers and self-employed persons.

Risk assessment

A systematic process to identify hazards, analyze and evaluate risks, and determine controls.

Routine activity

Regular, everyday workstation tasks that require risk assessment.

Non-routine activity

Occasional tasks (e.g., maintenance, shutdowns) that require risk assessment.

Hazard identification

Process of recognizing potential sources of harm in the workplace.

Risk assessment techniques

Methods used to identify, analyze, and evaluate risks (e.g., HIRARC).

HIRARC

Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control – a systematic process to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls.

JSA

Job Safety Analysis – breaking a job into steps to identify hazards and determine preventive measures.

FMEA

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis – examining potential failure modes and their effects to prevent failures.

FTA

Fault Tree Analysis – graphical method to analyze how accidents can occur via logical relationships.

Fault tree

Diagram showing how basic causes combine to produce a top hazard or event.

AND gate (FTA)

In a fault tree, the output occurs only if all input events occur.

OR gate (FTA)

In a fault tree, the output occurs if any one of the input events occurs.

Basic event

Root or foundational causes in fault tree analysis that cannot be developed further.

Semi-quantitative risk assessment

Risk assessment using descriptive scales with some numerical scoring.

Qualitative risk assessment

Risk assessment using descriptive terms rather than exact numbers.

Quantitative risk assessment

Risk assessment using numerical probabilities and consequences.

Risk = Likelihood x Severity

The fundamental equation for calculating risk.

Likelihood

Probability that a hazardous event will occur.

Severity

The extent of harm or injury if the event occurs.

Risk matrix

A grid that categorizes risk levels by combining likelihood and severity.

Red/Yellow/Green zones

Color coding on a risk matrix: Red = unacceptable, Yellow = ALARP, Green = acceptable.

Elimination (Hierarchy of Control)

Removing the hazard from the workplace.

Substitution (Hierarchy of Control)

Replacing a hazard with a less harmful alternative.

Isolation (Hierarchy of Control)

Separating the hazard from workers or operations.

Engineering controls (Hierarchy of Control)

Design changes or equipment modifications to reduce exposure.

Administrative controls (Hierarchy of Control)

Policies, procedures, training, and work practices to reduce risk.

PPE (Hierarchy of Control)

Personal protective equipment used as a last line of defense.

Hazard sources

Sources of hazards: Man, Machinery, Substances, Materials, Method, Media.

Hazard classification

Categories of hazards: Mechanical, Physical, Electrical, Biological, Chemical, Ergonomic, Psychosocial.

Hazard identification methods

Ways to identify hazards: document review, inspection, observation, measurements.

2.3 HIRARC

Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control process in safety management.

2.3 HIRARC purpose

Identify hazards, assess risks, and implement controls to minimize risk.

JSA steps

Select, Record, Examine, Develop, Install, Monitor – steps to analyze tasks and hazards.

FMEA

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis – evaluate potential failure modes and their consequences.

HAZARD sources (MAN, MACHINERY, SUBSTANCES, MATERIALS, METHOD, MEDIA)

Key origins of hazards in the workplace.

Mechanical hazard

Hazards arising from moving parts or machinery.

Physical hazard

Hazards such as noise, vibration, radiation, heat, or cold.

Electrical hazard

Hazards related to live electrical parts and shock risk.

Biological hazard

Hazards from biological agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi).

Chemical hazard

Hazards from chemicals, exposure, toxicity, or reactivity.

Ergonomic hazard

Hazards causing musculoskeletal strain from awkward postures or repetitive tasks.

Psychosocial hazard

Hazards related to stress, violence, harassment, or work-related mental health.

Qualitative risk

Risk described by qualitative terms (high/medium/low) rather than numbers.

Semi-quantitative risk

Risk described with both qualitative and some quantitative measures.

Quantitative risk

Risk expressed with numerical probabilities and statistics.

ALARP matrix colors

Color zones in ALARP: Red (unacceptable), Yellow (reducible), Green (generally acceptable).

Hierarchy of control

Order of preferred risk controls: Elimination, Substitution, Isolation, Engineering, Administrative, PPE.

OSHA compliance and review

Regulatory expectations to regularly review and improve risk controls.

OSH management summary

Basic OSH management cycle: hazard identification, risk assessment, control, and review.