Hazard Identification & Inspection Training

For members of HDS JHSC, HDS managers and supervisors

and HDS staff

Hazards….� Hazards cause near misses, accidents and illnesses� Near miss – an unusual occurrence that could have resulted in harm to people or property

� Accident – an unplanned event that can harm people or property

� Occupational Illness – a health problem caused by exposure to a health hazard in the workplace

Hazard Identification� Hazard Recognition

� What are the risk factors associated with the hazard? How is the hazard categorized?

� Hazard Assessment� How severe and likely to occur is the hazard?

� Hazard Control� Is the hazard being controlled in the best way?

Hazard recognitionRisk factors for hazards:� People� Equipment &

processes� Materials, products &

clients� Environment &

culture

Hazard Recognition:Categories of Workplace Hazards� Chemical� Physical� Biological� Ergonomic� Machinery & tools� Walking/working surfaces

� Energy Sources� Non-existent and/or inadequate work procedures

� Fire and emergency

Chemical� Hazards associated with the use of chemicals or materials that are used in the workplace

� Questions to ask: is there an up-to-date MSDS for that chemical? Are appropriate controls in place? Are products labeled and stored appropriately? If required, are there appropriate PPE, eye wash, deluge shower available? Are paints and solvents stored properly?

Physical� Hazards that expose workers to noise, vibration, radiation, heat, cold, etc.

� Questions to ask: do you notice excessive dust, noise, vibration, cold or heat in the area? Are appropriate controls in place? Are appropriate PPE available and do staff know how to use them? Is lighting appropriate for task?

Biological� Hazards due to the presence of or exposure to viruses, bacteria, parasites, blood borne pathogens and sharp objects

� Questions to ask: are sharps containers available? Do isolation measures exist? Do all workers know about and follow measures? Is everyone aware about infection control measures?

Ergonomic� Hazards that deal with how a worker fits into the workplace, handling materials or clients, awkward postures, excessive muscular force and repetitive work activities

� Questions to ask: are workers lifting, carrying, reaching, pushing or pulling properly? Do you see anyone putting themselves in an awkward position? Are work areas adequate for the task being done?

Machinery and equipment� Hazards specific to the use of equipment, machinery, tools and materials

� Questions to ask: are guards in good condition and being used? Does a preventative maintenance program exist? When was the last maintenance performed? Is equipment in good condition and properly stored? Does equipment have any pinch points that could cause harm?

Walking/working surfaces� This hazard category includes actual or potential hazards associated with slips, falls and collisions on/in a floor, hallway, step, stairway, ladder or storage area

� Questions to ask: is proper footwear worn? Are there trip hazards? Are there rough edges or sharp objects that could cause an injury? Is there clutter? Is there worn carpet or flooring? Are ladders stored properly?

Energy Sources� Hazards due to actual or potential contact with electric, heat, cold, kinetic or chemical energy sources and the stored energy in equipment that can cause injury or death

� Questions to ask: are there any live electrical hazards or frayed cords? Are lockout/tagout procedures in place and followed? Do workers know what procedures to use? Are there enough locks in place to be used by workers?

Non-existent and/or inadequate work procedures

� Hazards associated with non-existent or inadequate safe work procedures. This includes worker’s noncompliance and lack of enforcement of safe work procedures

� Questions to ask: are workers knowledgeable of what to do in specific circumstances (ie: how to deal with a violent patient)? Do workers know their routine safe work procedures? Do workers know how to access safe work procedures for non-routine work?

Fire and Emergency� Hazards due to ineffective fire and emergency plans. This includes lack of equipment such as eyewash stations, emergency shut-off valves and first aid kits

� Questions to ask: are emergency exits well marked and accessible? When was the last fire drill? Have staff been trained on Code Red? Do staff know where the closest fire extinguisher is?

Hazard AssessmentHazards vary in severity and are classified as:� Class A Hazard: A condition or practice likely to cause permanent disability, loss of life or body part, and/or extensive loss of structure, equipment or material.� Class B Hazard: A condition or practice likely to cause serious injury or illness resulting in temporary disability or property damage that is disruptive but less severe than “Class A”.� Class C Hazard: A condition or practice likely to cause minor (non-disabling) injury or illness or non-disruptive property damage.

Hazard Assessment -Classifying Hazards

Consequences� Major� Serious� Minor

Unlikely Moderately LikelyLikelihood

B A AB B AC B B

Hazard Control� Controlling hazards

� At the source – can the hazard be eliminated or reduced?

� Along the path – barrier between worker & hazard; either physical or administrative

� At the worker – Personal Protective Equipment

Four steps for a thorough Workplace Inspection

� Prepare for the inspection� Conduct the inspection� Analyze findings and report� Take corrective action

Prepare for Workplace Inspection

� Determine high-priority hazards for further observation – look at past inspection reports, employee incident reports, employee complaints, MOL reports, department specific procedures

� Make sure you can access the area� If JHSC member, contact manager of area prior to inspection

� Use a checklist or other tool

Appendix 4 Hotel Dieu Shaver Hazard Identification General Che cklist

Department/Area: Date:

Inspected by:

Signature of Manager or Designate Signature of Staff Member

Item in complianceYe

sNo Item in compliance

YesN

o

Fire Safety – Mandatory for each inspection Safety Policy

Number of fire extinguishers in area: 1 Employee asked about HDS Safety Policy

Fire extinguisher(s) charged Employee aware of HDS Safety Policy

Proof of extinguisher(s) checked monthly

1 Employee asked about JHSC bulletin board location(s)

1 employee asked of location of nearest fire pull station

Employee aware of name of JHSC member

Conduct the Workplace Inspection

� Ask questions � Don’t attach blame � Inspect high-risk areas� Deal with high-risk hazards� Complete maintenance requests for low-risk hazards

� Focus on injury prevention

Analyze Findings & Report� Classify severity of hazards (Class A, B or C)

� If Class A, immediate action is required. Supervisor and staff need to be informed and hazard handled

� Complete Workplace Inspection Report

Take corrective action� Supervisor or manager has responsibility for taking corrective action to prevent or reduce incidents

� On JHSC inspections, supervisor or manager has 21 days to respond to hazards identified

�Questions?�Let’s go on an inspection!