Presenter – Michael Carley

Risk Assessment & Control - in the context of Workplace Inspections

0

Presenter – Michael Carley

Health & Safety Unit

Course content

� What is a risk assessment

� Risk Assessment Process

� What is a workplace assessment

� Key steps in a workplace assessment

• Identifying risks

1

• Identifying risks

• Rating a risk

• Determining the action ranking

• Determining your controls

• Reporting requirements

• Monitoring & Review

Key Learning Outcomes

� Understanding of the model used to identifyinghazards and risks used at Macquarie University.

� Apply the principles of risk management.

� Identify workplace hazards and their associatedrisks.

2

risks.

� Develop an increased understanding of theprocesses and tools used in workplace inspections.

� Develop a risk control plan.

What is a Risk Assessment?

Risk assessment is a step by step process usedto determine the quantitative or qualitative valueof risk related to a situation and a recognizedthreat (also called hazard).

3

It requires the calculation of two components ofrisk (R,) - the magnitude of the potential loss(L), and the probability (p), that the loss willoccur.

Risk Management Process -

Review

&

Monitor

Identify Hazards

Assess RisksCom

municate

and Consult

Determine Actions/Control Ratings

4

Review Control Measures

Review

&

Monitor

Implement Control Risks

Com

municate

and Consult

Determine Actions/Control Ratings

What is a Workplace Inspection?

A workplace inspections is a thorough andcritical examination of the workplace for thepurpose of identifying and recording hazardsand corrective actions.

5

Regular workplace inspections are an importantpart of the overall occupational health andsafety program.

Important Terminology -

Consequence

The outcome of an event.

Hazard

A hazard is a source of potential harm or a situation with the potential tocause harm or injury, or damage to plant, property, equipment or theenvironment.

6

Incident

Is an identified hazard, a near miss or an unplanned event that couldpotentially or has already led to injury to persons or damage to property,equipment or the environment.

Important Terminology -

Likelihood

The likelihood of the consequences of an event.

Near Miss

Is an incident that results in no damage or injury, but had the potential tocause damage or injury

7

cause damage or injury

Risk

Risk means the likelihood or chance that a hazard, an event or asituation will cause injury, illness or damage.

Key tips -Plan your inspections –

Planning is essential for an effective inspection. You need to determine your inspection team; time requirements; do you need subject matter experts etc?

Determine the aspects of the workplace you will to examine

Inspections should examine who, what, where, when and how. Particular attention shouldbe made to items most likely to develop unsafe or unhealthy work conditions. You shouldinspect the entire workplace area each time, including areas such as rest/meal rooms,office storage areas and first aid rooms.

8

Determine the elements of the workplace you are going to inspect -

Look at all workplace elements - the environment, equipment and the process. Theenvironment includes such hazards as noise, vibration, lighting, temperature, andventilation. Equipment includes materials, tools and apparatus for producing a product or aservice. The process involves how the worker interacts with the other elements in a seriesof tasks or operations.

Step 1 – Identifying hazards/risks.

You can identify hazards and risks by:

• Reviewing incident reports and records to find out what has gone wrong in the past.

• Observing work activities to see whether safety precautions are in place and being used correctly, orwhether the people involved are at risk of injury.

• Speaking with staff about OHS matters e.g. recent incidents, maintenance issues, suggestedimprovements etc.

• Reviewing standard operating procedures to ensure that safety aspects have been satisfactorilyaddressed.

9

addressed.

• Referring to instructions and literature that relates to a particular workplace or activity. These oftencontain information about particular hazards and how the associated risks can best be managed.Typical literature includes operator manuals, safety data sheets, industry bulletins, journals etc.

• Undertaking an inspection of the workplace and using checklists to assist you.

Review - Observe – Inspect – Ask

Factors to consider –

Workplace Design (i.e. the physical workplace,internal and external environment)

• Is the area suited to the work being carried out?

• Does it provide adequate space for occupants?

• Ensure the design meets relevant legislativerequirements.

• Does it comply with Australian standards?

• Does it comply with the OHS Act andRegulations?

Environment

• Do levels of noise and lighting meet legislativerequirements?

• Are ventilation and thermal conditions acceptable?

• Does desk/bench design meet ergonomicrequirements?

• Is storage space available and safely utilised?

• Are floor surfaces safe and clear of obstructions?

• Are amenities such as toilets and kitchenetteclean?

• Do seasonal factors impact on activities?

10

Systems of Work

• Are Policies and Procedures available?

• Are Safe Operating Procedures written andaccessible?

• Is important information available to workers rehazards e.g. Hazard Register, Material SafetyData Sheets?

• Do seasonal factors impact on activities?

Behaviour

• Are systems effective?

• Do staff have the knowledge and awareness ofsafety systems?

• Is there evidence of non-compliance, short cuts,and periods of high workload?

• Is there a need for training and educationprogrammes arising from exposure to an identifiedhazard(s)?

Step 2 – Rate the Risk.

Once identified, risks must be rated.

There are two aspects to be considered when prioritising the risks:

� The likelihood of exposure i.e., how many people are exposed, how often, and;

� The potential consequences of exposure to the hazard i.e., whether serious injury may result.

The University uses a 5 scale rating system (see next slide).

11

The University uses a 5 scale rating system (see next slide).

When considering the likelihood or consequences of exposure, you need toconsider the existing risk control measures e.g., safe operating equipmentand procedures already in place etc. The existence of suitable risk controlmeasures reduces the potential for injury.

Step 1 – Consider the Consequences

What are the consequences of this incident occurring? Consider what could reasonably have happened as well as what actually happened. Look at the descriptions and choose the most suitable Consequence.

Step 2 – Consider the Likelihood What is the likelihood of the consequence identified in step 1 happening? Consider this with the current controls in place. Look at the descriptions and choose the most suitable Likelihood.

Step 3 – Calculate the Risk

Consequence

Description Likelihood Description

LIKELIHOOD

Rare Unlikely Possibly Likely Almost Certain

Multiple fatalities; irreversible Expected to occur in

A. Take Step 1 rating and select the correct column.

B. Take Step 2 Rating and select the correct line.

C. The calculated risk score is where the two ratings cross on the matrix below.

Risk Assessment Steps -

12

Catastrophic

Multiple fatalities; irreversible effects; Loss $10m to $100m; Extensive Environmental damage.

Almost Certain

Expected to occur in

most circumstances.

CO

NS

EQ

UE

NC

E

Catastrophic

MEDIUM

HIGH

CRITICAL

CRITICAL

CRITICAL

Major

Fatality; Serious irreversible disabilities; Medium term Environmental damage; Loss $1m to $10m

Likely

Probably will occur in

most circumstances. Major

LOW

MEDIUM

HIGH

CRITICAL

CRITICAL

Moderate

Moderate irreversible disability; Moderate environmental damage; Loss $100k to $1m

Possible

Might happen at some

time. Medium

LOW

LOW

MEDIUM

HIGH

CRITICAL

Minor

Minor injuries & hospitalisations; Short term Environmental damage; Loss $10k to $100k.

Unlikely

Could happen, but

rarely. Minor

VERY LOW

LOW

LOW

MEDIUM

HIGH

Insignificant

No medical treatment; No Environmental damage; Loss less than $10k.

Rare Has never occurred before.

Insignificant

VERY LOW

VERY LOW

LOW

LOW

MEDIUM

Step 3 – Determine the actions ranking.Once you have determined the risk level, you need to determine the action level ranking to determine the pace of intervention required to address hazards/risks.

Risk level Required action

Critical

Action required immediately:

The proposed task or process activity must not proceed. Steps must be taken to lower the risk level to as low asreasonably practicable using the hierarchy of risk controls.

High

Action required today:

The proposed activity can only proceed, provided that:• the risk level has been reduced to as low as reasonably practicable using the hierarchy of risk controls;• the risk controls must include those identified in legislation, Australian Standards, Codes of Practice etc.• the risk assessment has been reviewed and approved by the Supervisor and• a Safe Working Procedure or Safe Work Method has been prepared.

13

• a Safe Working Procedure or Safe Work Method has been prepared.• the supervisor must review and document the effectiveness of the implemented risk controls.

Medium

Action required this week:

The proposed task or process can proceed, provided that:• the risk level has been reduced to as low as reasonably practicable using the hierarchy of risk controls;• the risk assessment has been reviewed and approved by the Supervisor and• a Safe Working Procedure or Safe Work Method has been prepared.

Low/Very Low

Action required when possible:

Managed by local documented routine procedures which must include application of the hierarchy of controls.

Step 4 – Determine your controls.

Once risks have been rated, it is important to identify controls to eliminateor reduce risks.

Under NSW legislation, there is a hierarchy of controls which must befollowed (see next slide).

The first control considered must be Elimination of the risk. If a risk cannot be eliminated, then you can consider the next controls on the list.Note – PPE & Equipment should be the option of last resort.

14

Note – PPE & Equipment should be the option of last resort.

It is vital that controls are discussed with employees in the work area –

they are the people with intimate knowledge of the work, the workplace

and the equipment.

Eliminate the Hazard E.g.: repair damaged equipment, dispose of unwanted chemicals.

If this is not practicable, then

Substitute the Hazard E.g.: lift smaller packages, use a less toxic chemical.


Isolate the Hazard E.g.: place barriers around a spill until cleaned up, locate the photocopier in


a separate, well ventilated room, enclose machinery.

Use engineering controls E.g.: provide a trolley to move heavy

Controls -

15

Use engineering controls E.g.: provide a trolley to move heavy loads, place guards on moving machinery parts.


Use administrative controls E.g.: introduce job rotation, ensure equipment is regularly maintained.


Use personal protective clothing and equipment

E.g.: provide hearing and eye protection, hard hats, gloves, masks.

Until you have a better method of control.

Step 5 – Document and Report

The next step in the process is to document your findings andprovide a report to the following stakeholders:

� Manager/Head of Department of the area being inspected.

� OHS/Health & Safety Representative.

� Executive Dean

16

� Executive Dean

� Health & Safety Unit

� Faculty/Administrative Unit OHS Committee

Inspections Register

Faculty

Area

Date of Inspection

Building

Name (print):

I confirm that the work areas listed have been inspected by the

persons above and actions identified to be actioned.

OHS Workplace Inspections Register

This sheet is designed to allow inspection teams to record identified risks across a work area. Once completed the register needs to be sent to the relevant Executive Dean; Head of

Department and the Manager, Health & Safety.

Name (print):Management Representative

OHS Representative

Other employee representative(s)

Name (print):

17

Consequence Likelihood Consequence Likelihood

persons above and actions identified to be actioned.

Sign off:

Date Actions to

be completed by

Initial Risk

level

Risk Control Plan Assessment of risks after

controls implimented

Risk level

following

Changes

Consequences of Event

Happening

Room Number Risk Identified

Step 6 – Monitor and Review Implemented Controls

Once controls are implemented it is important to review thecontrols in operation. This is usually done a few weeksfollowing full implementation.

This review allows several important actions to occur –

� Ensuring that the controls have been implemented.

18

� Ensuring that the controls have been implemented.

� Review of the controls to ensure that they are appropriateand have not created other risks, and;

� Re-calculate the risk level of the work area.

Step 7 – Document the results.

Lastly you need to document the final risk rating results. This involvestwo reports –

Firstly, completing a spreadsheet has been developed for you to recordcompleted inspections on. This spreadsheet allows the Health & Safetyunit to calculate the Risk Rating for each work area andFaculty/Administrative Unit.

A final written report to the following people –

19

A final written report to the following people –

� Manager/Head of Department of the area being inspected.

� OHS/Health & Safety Representative.

� Executive Dean

� Health & Safety Unit

� Faculty/Administrative Unit OHS Committee

Inspection Report Template

MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY

20

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY INSPECTION REPORT OF THE <AREA>

Completed by: xxxxxxxOHS Committee

<Date>

21

Questions -

Documents

Presenter – Michael Carley