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A risk assessment must be undertaken considering the following factors that may be contributing to the risk: the work premises and working environment (including the layout and condition) the number of people and how frequently those people could be exposed to risk the capability, skill, experience and age of people ordinarily undertaking the work the systems of work being used the range of reasonably foreseeable conditions the number and type of workplace and/or industry incidents. OHS information available that is relevant to the particular hazard including: OHS information provided by a supplier of any plant, equipment or substance material safety data sheets (MSDS) for any hazardous substance the label of any hazardous substance results of any biological monitoring results of any atmospheric monitoring information contained in any specialised OHS reports provided or available information about previous injuries, illness and dangerous incidents standards, code of practice and guidelines. Conducting a risk assessment involves making a value judgement based on this information and any available evidence within the workplace and industry. This may include numbers of current and past incidents, severity of injuries from the identified hazard, lost work time from injuries and number of people involved in incidents. Specific information such as environmental measurements of hazards, eg noise levels, dust levels, Legionella, and comparisons made between the workplace measurement and the legally required measurement can also assist in the risk assessment process.
Assess safety risks Solo Activity 4
Commonwealth of Australia 2012, Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Australia License
Consequences Likelihood Almost certain (A) Likely (B) Possible (C) Unlikely (D) Rare (E) Severe (1) Major (2) Medium (3) Minor (4) Negligible (5)
E H H M M
H H M M L
H M M L L
M M L L T
M L L T T
The numbers and letters associated with the criteria for likelihood and consequences reflect accuracy in the rating. For example a risk rating may be H but does that represent possible and severe or likely and severe or likely or major etc. It is a way of explaining the reasoning behind the risk priority rating. It also recognises that there are a few versions of the same rating just with different criteria being assessed.
Assess safety risks Solo Activity 4
Commonwealth of Australia 2012, Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Australia License
3 and 4
5 and 6
Consequences Likelihood Almost certain (A) Likely (B) Possible (C) Unlikely (D) Rare (E) Severe (1) Major (2) Medium (3) Minor (4) Negligible (5)
E H H M M
H H M M L
H M M L L
M M L L T
M L L T T
Risk rating = E Extreme risk Immediate action is required; detailed research and planning by senior management.
Assess safety risks Solo Activity 4
Commonwealth of Australia 2012, Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Australia License
Acting on the risk rating In this example the risk rating priority of E requires immediate action and detailed research and planning by senior management to rectify the hazard. The action must be developed before the activity is undertaken. In this risk assessment particular consideration has been given to the number of other people who will potentially be in the vicinity during the operation of the fork lift. It is important to remember that risk assessments on the same or similar hazards can differ if there are used in different work environments. For example, an assessment of fork lift operations within a warehouse where access by people is limited may record a risk rating of H.
Risk rating = 1 The hazard has a high risk of creating an incident. It requires immediate executive management attention to rectify the hazard. Control action must be immediately implemented before working in the area or carrying out the work process.
Assess safety risks Solo Activity 4
Commonwealth of Australia 2012, Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Australia License
Acting on the risk rating A risk rating priority level of 1 requires immediate executive management attention to rectify the hazard. Control action would need to be immediately implemented before working in the area or using the fork lift. This may include ensuring that all operators are currently licensed, checking that the fork lift is in good working order and/or barricading the area where the fork lift is being used so as to avoid an excess of pedestrian traffic.
Consequences Likelihood Almost certain (A) Likely (B) Possible (C) Unlikely (D) Rare (E) Severe (1) Major (2) Medium (3) Minor (4) Negligible (5)
E H H M M
H H M M L
H M M L L
M M L L T
M L L T T
Acting on the risk rating In this example the risk rating priority of M requires an action plan to be developed prior to stage preparation being carried out to either eliminate or reduce the risk of tripping and falling.
Risk rating = 5
The hazard has a low risk of creating an incident . It requires supervisor and employee attention in a reasonable timeframe to prevent or reduce the likelihood and severity of an incident. Acting on the risk rating A risk rating priority level of 5 records the hazard as a low risk of creating an incident. It requires supervisors and employees attention in the form of monitoring work conditions and personnel and/or their own physical state to prevent or reduce the likelihood and severity of an incident. Control actions would still need to be implemented when setting up the work area such as providing sufficient shading, rotating shifts to avoid lengthy period in hot areas etc. Also as temperatures can fluctuate continual monitoring during the event is required.
The accuracy of the risk priority ratings will depend on the workplace situation and is only offered as guide.
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