2. Risk - a measure of
the probability that a
harmful event (death,
injury or loss) arising
from exposure to a
chemical or physical
agent may occur
under specific
conditions of
manufacture, use or
disposal
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3. Acceptability of risk may differ for different
people;
the worker in industry may be prepared to
accept certain risks as part of their job;
the home user may wish as low a risk as
possible, especially where children are
concerned
Risks to wild organisms in the natural
environment, especially plants and bacteria,
may be accepted by people because they
cannot see the consequences for their own
health
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4. Risk assessment – identification and
quantification of risk resulting from a
specific use or occurrence of a chemical
or physical agent
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5. Risk assessment is concerned with determining
those factors which are especially dangerous
and determining the likelihood of unacceptable
toxic exposure.
A risk assessment involves evaluating existing
physical and environmental controls, and
assessing their adequacy relative to the
potential threats of the organization.
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7. Risk assessments are very important as they
form an integral part of a good occupational
health and safety management plan.
Help to:
Create awareness of hazards and risks.
Identify who may be at risk (employees,
cleaners, visitors, contractors, the public,
etc.).
Determine if existing control measures are
adequate or if more should be done.
Prevent injuries or illnesses when done at the
design or planning stage.
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8. Risk Assessment In A Workplace
Step 1 - Identify hazards
Step 2 - Decide who might be harmed and how
Step 3 - Analyzing the risk
Step 4 - Record the findings and put measures
in place to control the risks
Step 5 - Implementing and prioritizing action
Step 6 - Communicate the findings to staff
Step 7 - Review the assessment and update if
necessary
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9. Step 1 - Identifying hazards and
related activities
A hazard is "something that has the potential to cause
harm" including injury, loss or damage to plant and
property.
Moving parts of machinery
Noise
Work at height
Cleaning
Vehicles
Electricity
Low or high temperatures
Poor lighting
Manual handling
Repair 9
10. Step 2 - Identifying people at risk of
harm
Identify groups or people who may be
affected.
Employees
Temporary workers
Residents
Volunteers
Children
Customers
Cleaners
Visitors 10
11. Step 2 - Identifying people at risk
of harm
Pay particular attention to vulnerable people
New or expectant mothers
Young people
Staff or customers with learning difficulties
Inexperienced staff
Staff, customers or visitors with disabilities
Lone workers
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12. Step 2 - Identifying people at risk
of harm
Possible outcomes
Cuts and abrasions
Broken or dislocated bones
Twists
Unconsciousness
Noise injuries
Electrocution
Spinal injuries
Burns
Drowning
Flying or falling objects
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13. Step 3 - Analyzing the risk
To analyze the risk, a matrix scoring system can
be used.
Numerical scores are given to the severity and
likelihood of risks and these scores are
multiplied to get a rating for the risk.
This means the risk rating is a measure of the
likelihood of harm that occur from a particular
hazard, taking into account the possible severity
of such an occurrence.
Risk = Severity x Likelihood
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18. Step 4 - Preventative control measures
Elimination - is it possible to avoid the risk
altogether?
Substitution - change the way you do the work,
but take care not to introduce new risks (e.g.
using a safer chemical).
Isolation - combat risks at the source and
prevent access to the hazard (e.g. guarding
machinery).
Reduction - reduce the number of employees at
risk or reduce the duration of exposure.
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19. Use information (written procedures, safe
systems of work), instruction, training and
supervision - ensure employees understand
what they must do and when, how they must
do it and what activities are prohibited.
Use personal protective equipment, but only
as the last resort and only after all other
measures have been implemented.
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20. Step 5 - Implementing and
prioritizing action
Once any control measures have been
identified, management must decide the
actions to take based on the recommendations.
For high risk activities, this would include a
decision about whether the work should
actually take place.
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21. Step 6 - Communicating the
findings
Information on risks and control measures
identified by the risk assessment should be
communicated to employees and others as
appropriate.
Make copies of risk assessments available to all
the employees concerned.
The completed risk assessment should provide
clear information about hazards, risks and
control measures to the employees carrying
out the work.
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22. Step 7 - Review the assessment
and update if necessary
It is important to know if our risk assessment
was complete and accurate.
It is essential to be sure that changes in the
workplace have not introduced new hazards or
changed hazards that were once ranked as
lower priority to a higher priority.
It is good practice to review our assessment on
a regular basis to be sure that nothing has
changed and that our control methods are
effective.
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23. Triggers for a review can also include:
The start of a new project.
A change in the work process.
Introduction of new chemicals.
A change or addition to tools, equipment,
machinery (including locations or the way they
are used).
New employees.
Moving to a new building or work area.
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