OSH MANAGEMENT - Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control

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 

    a long time really necessary?         

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 

    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 

        expose / contact.

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, 

    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.

     ●  Change work methods 

     ●  Communicate the hazard (signage, labeling & guidelines).
     ●  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)

     There are indeed 2 situations where the use of PPE is vital in hazard 

     control :

     ●  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 

    improvement is required.

Hazard + Contact or Exposure = RISK

Search for Hazard + Assess the Risk + Find Solution + Enforce Action = SAFE