Health and Safety Risk management form
Faculty/Division: Science
Document number
School/Unit: Biological
Initial Issue date 12/04/2010
Risk Assessment name
Current version
02
Sciences
Current Version
Issue date
Next review date
12/04/2016
12/04/2013
Risk assessment for Noise in Growth Cabinet
Form completed by
Michael Joseph
Signature
Date
Responsible supervisor/ authorising officer
A Prof. Frank Seebacher
Signature
Date
Identify the activity and the location of the activity
Identify who may be at risk from the activity:
Description
of activity
This may include fellow workers, visitors, contractors and the public. The types of people may
affect the risk controls needed and the location may affect the number of people at risk
Description
of location
Use of plant growth cabinets. These cabinets are essential for research
and run compressors and pumps for temperature control. The machinery
generates noise.
Macleay Building A12 room 123.
Persons at risk
Researchers and once a year students who use the
growth cabinets
How they were
consulted on the risk
Discussion in regular workplace meetings including
safety discussions as priority item.
Laboratory talks.
List legislation, standards, codes of practice, manufacturer’s guidance etc used to determine control measures necessary
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 Chapter 4 Part 4.1 Noise
NSW WorkCover Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss At Work
AS/NZS 1269.1:2005 Occupational Noise Management – measurement and assessment of noise immission and exposure
Consider the hierarchy of hazard control and record what controls will be used in the short term and longer term
Elimination
Substitution
Isolation
Engineering
Eliminate the hazard or task if the risk outweighs the potential benefits.
Substitute the hazard with something less hazardous e.g. less toxic substance.
Isolate the hazard by using barriers or distance.
Look for physical design solutions, controls, safety lockouts or automation to reduce or eliminate risks, minimise the size or volume of the hazard or time of
exposure to the hazard, rearrange activities to minimise lifting/handling/overuse injuries
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Administrative
Establish Safe Work Practices e.g. restrict access, have Safe Work Practice documentation and procedures for hazardous tasks, provide training and
supervision appropriate to level of expertise of the person(s) involved. Record training in SWP.
Personal Protective Equipment Possible/not possible Use only as a secondary measure to supplement other risk controls e.g. gloves, lab coats, safety glasses.
Identify hazards and control the risks.
1. An activity may be divided into tasks. For each task identify the hazards and associated risks. Also list the possible scenarios which could sooner or later cause harm.
2. Determine controls necessary based on legislation, codes of practice, Australian standards, manufacturer’s instructions etc.
3. List existing risk controls and any additional controls that need to be implemented
Task or
Hazard
Current
risk
Associated harm
Any additional controls required?
Residual
risk
Existing risk controls
Scenario
Using growth
cabinets
Noise
Potential for damage to
hearing
Isolation
Keep door closed to reduce noise in
adjacent rooms.
Administrative
Limit the time spend in the room to
complete the tasks
Undertake noise assessment
Audiometric testing to be conducted
every 2 years
Personal Protective Equipment
Provision of earmuffs and earplugs
Low
no
Low
Medium
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List emergency procedures and controls
List emergency controls for how to deal with fires, spills or exposure to hazardous substances and/or emergency shutdown procedures
Hazard ceases as soon as person is outside the room. Spend minimum time in room and wear PPE
Implementation
Control measures:
Isolation
Keep door closed to reduce noise in adjacent rooms.
Administrative
Limit the time spend in the room to complete the tasks
Administrative
Establish background level of noise in workshop
with all machines running.
Administrative
Undertake audiometric testing every 2 years
PPE
Issue personal protective equipment
Resources required
Sign posting and Instruction in the
room
Sign posting and Instruction in the
room
Noise assessment/sound monitoring
Responsible person
Researchers and students
Date of implementation
Completed 1 April 2008
Colin Chua WHSS
Completed 1 April 2008
Audiometry Consultant
Michael Joseph SoBsc
Completed 12 April 2010
Ear plugs/ear muffs
Michael Joseph SoBSc
Completed 12 April 2010
Researchers and students
REVIEW
Scheduled review date:
Are all control measures in place?
April 2010
Yes
April 2013
Yes
Are controls eliminating or minimising the risk?
Yes
Yes
Are there any new problems with the risk?
Review by: (name)
Review date (or if changes occurred):
No
No
Michael Joseph
April 2013
Michael Joseph
April 2016
April 2016
Acknowledgement of Understanding
All persons performing these tasks must sign that they have read and understood the risk management.
Note: for activities which are low risk or include a large group of people (e.g. open days, BBQ’s, student classes etc), only the persons undertaking the key activities need to sign below. For all others involved in such
activities, the information can be covered by other methods including for example a safety briefing, induction, and/or safety information sheet (ensure the method of communicating this information is specified here)
Risk management name and version number:
Name
I have read and understand this risk management form
Signature
Date
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