Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) Lecture 5 Construction Occupational Safety and Health This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA. Definitions Hazards – anything (e.g. condition, situation, practice, behavior) that has potential to cause harm, including injury, disease, death, environmental, property and equipment damage. Divided into two broad categories: Health Hazards (cause occupational illness) and Safety Hazard(cause physical harm – injuries) Risk – likelihood or possibility, that harm (injury, illness, death, damage, etc.) may occur from exposure to hazard Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) – is the process of identifying hazards and assessing them properly. It is an ongoing process in which safety specialists evaluate the prevention and mitigation of accidental injuries and occupational illnesses. This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC. Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY. Hazard Identification • The process of identifying all hazards in the workplace. • This process is about finding what could cause harm in work or task area. • Hazards are the main cause of occupational health and safety problems. Therefore, finding ways of eliminating hazards or controlling the risks is the best way to reduce workplace injury To be sure that all hazards are found: Hazard Identification • Look at all aspects of the work • Include non-routine activities such as maintenance, repair or cleaning • Look at accident/ incident/ near-miss record • Include people who work off site either at home, on other job sites, drivers, teleworkers, with clients, etc. Hazard Identification To be sure that all hazards are found: • Look at the way work is organized or done • Look at foreseeable unusual conditions • Review all of the phases of the life cycle. • Consider the groups of people that may have a different level of risk such as young or inexperienced workers, persons with disabilities. This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-ND. Biological – bacteria, viruses, insects, plants, birds and humans Chemical – depends on the physical, chemical and toxic properties of the chemical Types/ Classification of Hazard Ergonomic – repetitive movements, improper set up of work station, etc. Physical – radiation, magnetic fields, temperature extremes, pressure extremes, noise, etc. Psychological – stress, violence, etc. Electrical How do you know if the hazard will cause harm? Each hazard should be studied to determine its' level of risk. To research the hazard, you can look at: • Product information / manufacturer documentation. • Past experience (knowledge from workers, etc.). • Legislated requirements and/or applicable standards. • Industry codes of practice / best practices. • Health and safety material about the hazard such as safety data sheets (SDSs), research studies, or other manufacturer information. How do you know if the hazard will cause harm? Each hazard should be studied to determine its' level of risk. To research the hazard, you can look at: • 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. Risk Assessment This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA. Definitions • Risk Assessment – term used to described the overall process or method where you: • Identify hazard and risk factors that have the potential to cause harm (hazard identification) • Analyze and evaluate the risk associated with that hazard • Determine appropriate ways to eliminate the hazard, or control the risk when the hazard cannot be eliminated (risk control) • Risk Assessment – overall process of hazard identification, risk analysis and risk evaluation. This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC. Definitions • Risk Analysis – a process of finding, listing and characterizing hazards. Notes: 1. Risk analysis provides a basis for risk evaluation and decisions about risk control 2. Information can include current and historical data, theoretical analysis, informed opinions and the concerns of stakeholders. 3. Risk analysis includes risk estimation • Risk evaluation – the process of comparing an estimated risk against given risk criteria to determine the significance of the risk • Risk control – actions implementing risk evaluation decisions. Create Identify Importance of Risk Assessment Create awareness of hazards and risk. Identify who may be at risk (e.g., employees, cleaners, visitors, contractors, the public, etc.). Determine Determine whether a control program is required for a particular hazard. Determine Determine if existing control measures are adequate or if more should be done. Prevent Prioritize Meet Prevent injuries or illnesses, especially when done at the design or planning stage. Prioritize hazards and control measures. Meet legal requirements where applicable. Purpose of Risk Assessment To identify and rank all potential risks that may arise from the construction of major projects. The assessment is the first step in recognizing the hazards and risks that are found in particular work environment and leads the employer to identify : Purpose of Risk Assessment The need for health surveillance The level of competence needed by an employer’s safety and health advisors Procedures for serious and imminent danger Information to be provided for employees Procedures to ensure cooperation with other employers Measures to protect non-employees working in undertaking Training needs Employees duties Measures to protect temporary workers Risk Assessment Requirements Commitment at the highest level of the organization The competent and well trained assessors The involvement at all levels Methodical and systematic recording Logical and rational decision frameworks Involve practical compliance strategies Clear and meaningful communications Adequate resources Why conduct a risk assessment? • Human factors–save life, stop workplace injures, illnesses and increase staff morale. • Legal factors–meet legislative requirements, OHS&W and Work Cover. • Financial factors–decrease the risk of prosecution and fines incurred, lower Work Cover levies, reduce absenteeism, increase potential for gaining shareholders and increase productivity. Types of Risk Assessment QUALITATIVE SEMI-QUALITATIVE QUANTITATIVE Use risk matrix Qualitative Risk Assessment Table scales for likelihood and severity Qualitative SemiQuantitative Risk Assessment Quantitative Risk Assessment In cases where hazards are numerous and complex (e.g. chemical process plant) Should have Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) Step 1: Identify the hazards Risk Assessment Process Step 2: Decide who might be harmed and how Step 3: Evaluate the risks and decide on the precautions Step 4: Record your findings and implement them Step 5: Review your assessment and update if necessary Step 1: Identify the hazards • Workplace hazards can come in many forms, such as physical, mental, chemical, and biological, to name just a few. • Hazards can be identified by using a number of techniques, although, one of the most common remains walking around the workplace to see first-hand any processes, activities, or substances that may injure or cause harm to employees. This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA. Step 1: Identify the hazards • Of course, if you work in the same environment every day, then you may miss some hazards, therefore, the HSE also recommend looking at and considering; • Your accident and ill-health records • Non-routine operations • Long-term hazards to health. Step 2: Decide who may be harmed and how • Identifying who may be at risk extends to full and part-time employees, contract staff, visitors, clients, and other members of the public at the workplace. • You should also consider people that may not be in the office all the time or at different times, such as employees working night shifts for example, and lone workers. • For each hazard you will need to understand who may be harmed, this of course, will help you to identify preventive measures for controlling a given risk. Step 3: Evaluate the risks and decide on the precautions • Once you've identified hazards, the next logical step it to completely remove the associated risks, however, where this is not possible, then certain control measures should be put in place. • For example, if an employee is a cleaner, then they'll inevitably come into contact with chemicals. The likelihood is that such a hazard can not be removed, however, certain control measures, such as providing protective gloves, mops, and even training for safely storing and handling cleaning chemicals can and should be in place. Step 4: Record your findings and implement them The HSE recommend that you should record your significant findings. Such findings will include, the hazards, how people may be harmed by them, and essentially the control measures that you have implemented. It's worth highlighting that currently only organisations with five or more staff are required to record in writing the findings of a given risk assessment, regardless, it's still good practice to have a reference. Step 4: Record your findings and implement them • Recording your findings does not need to be a lengthy exercise, in fact, the HSE currently states "For most people this does not need to be a big exercise - just note the main points down about the significant risks and what you concluded ". Step 5: Review the Assessment • Last, but not least, reviewing the risk assessment. Overtime workplaces will change there may be new equipment, substances, and or tasks, that have been introduced since the last assessment took place. With this in mind, it's recommended that you look back on past risk assessments and consider if there have since been significant changes, and if so, are there new hazards, and or control measures that should be introduced?
