Hazard Identification & Reporting
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND REPORTINGA HAZARD in relation to a person, means anything that may result in – injury to the person; or harm to the health of the person
WORKPLACE SAFETY REQUIREMENTSThe WA safety regulations state, management who are in control of the workplace must, as far as practicable–
a) Identify each hazard to which people at the workplace are likely to be exposed;
b) Assess the risk of injury or harm to people resulting from that hazard
c) Consider the means by which the risk may be reduced.
Three essential steps you should take to make sure those hazards in your workplace are eliminated or controlled:
Hazard identification (Spot the hazard)
Risk Assessment (Assess the Risk)
Risk Control (Make the Change)
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION Methods for identifying hazards in the workplace include:
1. Employees reporting hazards observed in their work area to their supervisor or manager by recording in the Hazard/ Near Miss forms or using the on-line Hazard Register system. Supervisor comments and signs off acknowledgment on the form. Manager makes recommendations. Hazards reported using the paper forms should be entered onto the on-line register by the Supervisor or Manager and sent to the Safety Department.
Safety Department is notified by e-mail every time a hazard reported on-line. All hazards reported are reviewed at the end of the month and corrective actions are followed up until closed or resolved.
2. Monthly hazard inspection
Hazard inspections are conducted once a month by a or nominated person. A “hazard inspection checklist” is used.
3. Job safety checks
Conducting Job Safety Checks and Job Safety Analysis - observing a job from start to finish and recording its steps gives the opportunity to assess each step for potential hazards that may have been previously overlooked. Safe Work Procedures are written based on the observation and used in training new employees.
4. Safety audits
Internal audits are conducted by Safety Department. External audits conducted by external safety consultants would result in a written report with recommendations for improvements.
RISK ASSESSMENTRISK is the likelihood and consequences of an injury or harm occurring from exposure to the hazard. The overall purpose of the assessment is to determine priorities in risk control.
When assessing risk factor that should be taken into account include:
Severity
Frequency
Intensity of the exposure
E.g. the suns intensity, frequency and duration of exposure to the suns harmful rays are the factors when determining the risk of skin cancer.
In the workshop, the intensity, frequency and duration of exposure is used when determining risk burns from welding.
Identified hazards will be assessed using a “risk matrix” to determine the level of risk.
During the monthly hazard inspections, the nominated person rates the hazards identified according to:
5 = Serious risk – eliminate hazard immediately.
4 = High risk –complete and submit hazard/ near miss report
3 = Moderate Risk – review safe work method
2 = Low Risk
1 = Good
RISK CONTROLOnce hazards have been assessed, control options for eliminating or reducing the risk of exposure to the hazards must be considered. Safety Manager/ Co-ordinator will work together with Area/ Branch Managers to develop hazard controls. Health and safety legislation requires the following Hierarchy of Hazard Controls options to be used:
Elimination: Removal of the hazard or the impact by removing it or disposing it.
Substitution: Consider substituting the substance or hazardous process with one that is less harmful to health or the environment.
Engineering Structural changes to the work environment or work environment.
Modifying the design of the workplace. Changing processes, equipment or tools for example
- Reduction of source of noise or vibration through engineering controls
- Use of machine guarding.
- Isolating or enclosing the hazard/ environment risk (eg. Fume, Bunding etc.)
- Use of ventilation to remove fumes or dusts or the use of mechanical aids to minimise manual handling injuries.
Administration (procedural controls)
Rely on human behaviour and compliance. Examples:
- Introducing and maintaining work practices that reduce risk by limiting the exposure of an employee to the hazard; job rotation.
- Supervision education and training,
- Modify the procedures and /work instructions, audit and inspections,
- Conduct audits and inspections.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Use of protective clothing, gloves, boots, glasses, hearing protection, harness, etc. This is the last resort option for controls and should be used only when other measures have not been able to protect against the hazard or risk.
It should always be used together with other control methods.
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