HAZARD IDENTIFICATION, RISK ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL
By Faudzil Harun
Risk management is essentially a problem-solving process aimed at defining problems (identifying hazards), gathering information about them (risk assessment) and solving them
(risk control).
This is followed up by checking to see that the controls were successful
(evaluation) and reviewing the whole process (review) after a period of time or when
something changes.
Hazard Identification
1. Review legislation, code of practice or any relevant published information.
2. Review relevant fixed standard (Malaysia and International).
3. Review designers or manufacturer safety/operating/maintenance manual.
4. Review Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or Chemical Safety Data Sheet
(CSDS).
5. Conduct Job Safety Analysis.
6. Conduct safety and health inspections and audit.
7. Analyze work process.
8. Consultation with employees.
9. Assessing the knowledge and skills of employee.
10. Seeking advice from specialist or consultant.
Risk Assessment
Risk assessment is the process of assessing all of the risk associated with each of the hazards identified during the identification process.
In assessing the risk, three essential steps are taken :
1. The likelihood or probability of an incident occurring is evaluated.
2. The severity of the potential consequences is estimated or calculated.
3. Based on these two factors, the risk will be rated or prioritize for control
using the risk table.
Assessing the Likelihood (Probability of Occurring)
Asking and answering “how likely is that a hazardous event or situation will occur” will guide you to evaluate the likelihood.
Descriptor
|
Description
|
Very Likely
|
It
is expected to occur at some time in the near future (daily).
|
Likely
|
It
will probably occur in most circumstances (weekly).
|
Possible
|
It
might occur at some time (monthly).
|
Unlikely
|
It
could occur at some time (6 – 12 months).
|
Highly Unlikely
|
It
may occur in exceptional circumstances (5 years or later).
|
Assessing the Consequence (Potential Severity)
Asking and answering “what might be the degree of seriousness of a hazardous situation” will guide you to estimate the consequence.
Descriptor
|
Description
|
Fatality
|
Death
|
Major Injury
|
Extensive
injuries, lost time injury > 5 days, permanent disability
(e.g.
broken bones, major strains). Normally irreversible injuries or
damages to health. |
Minor Injury
|
Medical
treatment is required, lost injury from 1 to 5 days
(e.g.
minor strains). Normally reversible injuries or damages to health.
|
First Aid Injury
|
First
aid treatment where medical is not required
(e.g.
minor cuts and burns).
|
Negligible Injury
|
Incident
does not require first aid treatment.
Property
damage may have occurred.
|
Risk Rating
Determine what is the level of risk using the risk table.
Likelihood
|
Consequence
|
||||
Fatality
|
Major
Injury
|
Minor
Injury
|
First Aid
Injury
|
Negligible Injury
|
|
Very likely
|
E
|
E
|
E
|
H
|
H
|
Likely
|
E
|
E
|
H
|
H
|
M
|
Possible
|
E
|
E
|
H
|
M
|
L
|
Unlikely
|
E
|
H
|
M
|
L
|
L
|
Highly Unlikely
|
H
|
H
|
M
|
L
|
L
|
E – Extreme Risk
Immediate action required, notify supervisor, manager and SHO. If possible, the activity should be ceased immediately.
H – High Risk
Notify supervisor, manager, SHO and implement immediate action to minimize injury.
M – Moderate Risk
Notify supervisor and Implement immediate action to minimize injury.
L – Low Risk
Notify supervisor and implement remedial action within one month (if possible).
Risk Control Strategies
1. Eliminate the hazard
> Eliminate the hazard at source.
Question that can assist you to make decision :
● Does the substance really need to be used in the process?
● Can the process redesigned to eliminate the substance?
● Are the substance which are in storage area and have not been used for
1. Eliminate the hazard
> Eliminate the hazard at source.
Question that can assist you to make decision :
● Does the substance really need to be used in the process?
● Can the process redesigned to eliminate the substance?
● Are the substance which are in storage area and have not been used for
a long time really necessary?
Example of Elimination :
● Using a physical process rather than a chemical process to clean an object
Example of Elimination :
● Using a physical process rather than a chemical process to clean an object
(e.g. the use of ultrasound).
● Using clips, clamps or bolts instead of adhesive.
● Having the chemical supplied in a ready to use size container so that
● Using clips, clamps or bolts instead of adhesive.
● Having the chemical supplied in a ready to use size container so that
decanting/transferring and relabeling is not required.
2. Substitute for a lesser risk
> Substitute the hazard giving rise to the risk with one that presents a
lesser risk.
3. Isolate the hazard from the person at risk
> Separate the hazard in time or space from the person at risk.
4. Use engineering controls
> Make physical changes to equipment or the environment e.g. redesign,
modification and installation of system or device to reduce the risk to
2. Substitute for a lesser risk
> Substitute the hazard giving rise to the risk with one that presents a
lesser risk.
3. Isolate the hazard from the person at risk
> Separate the hazard in time or space from the person at risk.
4. Use engineering controls
> Make physical changes to equipment or the environment e.g. redesign,
modification and installation of system or device to reduce the risk to
expose / contact.
Example of Engineering Control :
● Isolate the hazard or process to minimize the number of people exposed
Example of Engineering Control :
● Isolate the hazard or process to minimize the number of people exposed
to risk.
● Installation of Local Exhaust Ventilation system (LEV), exhaust fan,
● Installation of Local Exhaust Ventilation system (LEV), exhaust fan,
smoke evacuator, noise trap (enclosure), silencer,
scrubber, vacuum pump
etc.
5. Use administrative controls
● Selection and recruitment of suitable person.
● Provide appropriate training.
● Provide proper attire.
● Monitor and supervise the person at work.
● Implement work safe procedure.
● Selection and recruitment of suitable person.
● Provide appropriate training.
● Provide proper attire.
● Monitor and supervise the person at work.
● Implement work safe procedure.
● Change work methods
● Communicate the hazard (signage,
labeling & guidelines).
● Practise good housekeeping.
● Control the purchasing, receiving, storing and transferring of hazardous
● Practise good housekeeping.
● Control the purchasing, receiving, storing and transferring of hazardous
material.
● Review job routine (reducing the exposure duration).
● Conduct employee consultation.
● Establish medical surveillance programmes.
● Conduct safety audit, review and implement corrective action.
● Plan emergency plan and drill the plan.
6. Use personal protective equipments (PPE)
● Review job routine (reducing the exposure duration).
● Conduct employee consultation.
● Establish medical surveillance programmes.
● Conduct safety audit, review and implement corrective action.
● Plan emergency plan and drill the plan.
6. Use personal protective equipments (PPE)
There are indeed 2 situations where the use of PPE is vital in hazard
control :
● When carrying out hazardous operations.
● When carrying out hazardous operations.
● In emergency situations or when
conducting investigation where the
levels of hazard are unknown.
Important Safety Points :
● We should not confuse the role of PPE as a control measure with its more
widespread role as precaution … as last line of
defense should an accident
occur.
● At times, more than one control strategies is required.
● Risk control strategies must be audited, reviewed and continual
● At times, more than one control strategies is required.
● Risk control strategies must be audited, reviewed and continual
improvement is required.
Hazard
+ Contact or Exposure = RISK
Search for Hazard + Assess the Risk + Find Solution + Enforce Action = SAFE