HAZARD IDENTIFICATION, RISK ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL

Hazard

A danger which threatens physical harm to employees

Exposure

The condition of being exposed/ A position in relation to a hazard

Identifying Hazards

Ø  Many workplaces contain hazardous materials

Ø  Stationary machinery and equipment may not be properly guarded, or In poor working order because of poor preventive/ corrective maintenance

Ø  Tools may not be properly maintained, saws may not be sharpened or safety harnesses may be old and in need of replacement

Ø  The work environment may include extreme noises, flammable or combustible atmospheres or poor workstation designs etc.

Ø  Employees might be fatigued, distracted in some way, or otherwise lack the mental or  physical capacity to accomplish work safety

Possible Accident

Hazard + Exposure

Acceleration

Occurs when any object is being set in motion or its speed increased

Biological

Hazards of harmful bacterial, viruses, fungi, and molds are becoming a greater concern to everyone at work.

Chemical reactions

can be violent, can cause explosions, dispersion of materials and emission of heat

Electrical Hazard

exposure to electrical current

Ergonomics

The nature of the work being done may include force, posture, position of operation, characteristics that require hazardous lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling and twisting.

Explosives and explosions

result in quick (instantaneous release of gas, heat, noise, light and overpressure)

Flammability and fires

  in order for combustion to take place, the fuel an oxidizer and ignition source must be present in gaseous form

Heat and temperature

indicates the level of sensible heat present in a body. Massive uncontrolled flows of heat or temperature extremes in either can cause trauma and illness.

Mechanical hazard

Tools, equipment, machinery and any objects may contain pinch points, sharp points and edges, weight, rotating parts, stability, ejected parts and materials that could cause injury.

Pressure

Increased pressure in hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Pressure may cause ruptures in pressure vessels, whipping hoses. Small high pressure leaks may cause serious injuries.

Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation hazards vary depending on the frequency (wavelength of the energy)

Toxics

Materials that in small amounts may cause injury to the skin and internal organs is considered toxic. Toxic may enter through inhalation, ingestion, absorbed or injected.

Vibration/ Noise

Produce adverse physiological and psychological effects. Whole body vibration is common hazard in the trucking industry. Segmental vibration and noise hazards exist when working equipment such as jack hammers.

Methods to identify workplace Hazards

o   Informal observations and formal observations

o   Comprehensive company wide surveys

o   Individual interviews

o   Walk around inspections

o   Document review

Recognized hazards

Industry Recognition
Employer Recognition
Common sense recognition

Industry recognition

Recognized hazards or be established by evidence of actual employer knowledge.

Employer recognition

Recognized by the employer’s industry. Or rather other industry aside from the industry they belong to.

Common sense recognition

If the industry of the employer recognition of the hazard cannot be established, recognition can still be established if it is concluded that any reasonable person would have recognized the hazard

Foreseeable Hazards

Should be addressed by safety managers during the root cause analysis phase of an accident investigation.

Physical exposure

if any part of the body can be injured as a result of proximity to a danger zone, physical exposure exists.

Environmental exposure

An employee may suffer away from the source of the hazard he or she might be.

Potential exposure

Possibly that an employee could be exposed to a hazardous condition exist when the employee can be shown to have access to hazard.

Informal observations

Nothing more than being watchful for hazards and unsafe behaviors on the shift

Formal observations

includes written, documentation, plan and procedures.

Comprehensive surveys

Ideally should be performed by people who can bring to your worksite fresh vision and extensive knowledge of safety, health or industrial hygiene.

Interviewing Employees

One on one process that asks unique questions to gather information.

Workplace inspection analysis

Best understood and most frequent used tool to assess the workplace for hazards

Review documents

Workplace assessment would not be complete without thoroughly reviewing existing documents to determine what kinds of hazards have existed in the workplace prior to the assessment

Workplace Analysis

Job Hazard Analysis
Change Analysis
Process Hazard Analysis
Phase Hazard Analysis