Supplementary Systematic Risk Management

Guidance 17 Conduct Full Risk Management

How to identify hazards requiring risk management

Background
The Designing Safer Buildings and Structures guide to Section 28 suggests that where a Standard
fits the scope of a hazard then the designer may adopt the control measures without going through
a full risk assessment approach. Many hazards encountered may be satisfied with this approach.
Workplaces with complex hazards will require detailed hazard identification to start the design
process. These workplaces will include manufacturing sites and workplaces with complex systems
of work that have OHS issues. These workplaces will require systematic methods to identify
hazards, to assess the risk, to identify control measures and to evaluate cumulative risk. Generally,
consultative techniques and expert advice will be needed to conduct some of this work.
Purpose
To suggest a number of systematic processes for identifying hazards.
Method/Discussion
The following tables are intended to stimulate ‘brainstorming’ but they are not intended to be
exhaustive in content. Hazard identification should be comprehensive and identify all hazards with
screening to remove low risk hazards carried out in the assessment phase. Much of the resulting
information should be passed on to the final workplace users.
Table 1 is a hazard prompt table that is based on the principle of potentially damaging energies. It
assumes that injury or damage occurs as a result of uncontrolled energy interacting with a person.

Damaging Energy Hazard

High forces
Biomechanical
Repetitive movement or sustained posture
Explosion
Fire
Toxicity
Chemical Incompatible materials
Asphyxiant
Dust
Fumes/Lack of ventilation
Electrical energy Electrical wiring and equipment
Fall from height
Slips/trips
Gravitational
Dropped objects
Structural collapse
Moving material/equipment
Mechanical Mobile equipment
Physical trauma
Microbiological Bacteria, viruses or other pathogens
Noise and vibration Noise
High pressure
Pressure
Low pressure

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 Violence
Psychological
Stress
Radiation Radiation
Thermal Heat/Cold

Table 2 provides hazard examples, regulatory references and some possible risk control
measures.

Hazard Examples Examples of risk controls from

Standards
Fire/Explosion - Refer to the Regulations and Codes of Practice for Hazardous Substances and
Dangerous Goods Storage and Handling and Explosives Regulations
Explosion Fire or explosion from flammable solids, Hazardous area rated electrical
dusts, liquids or gases equipment, controlled ignition sources,
Combustible materials or liquids bunding, explosion venting.
Fire Escalation of fire, lack of fire Fire resistant materials, reduction of
prevention/suppression, inadequate combustibles, bulk/local storage areas
emergency egress or assembly points. and bunding, fire walls, area separation
detection and alarms, fire suppression
systems (e.g. sprinklers), extinguishers.
Chemical - Refer to the Regulations and Codes of Practice for Hazardous Substances and Dangerous
Goods Storage and Handling.
Toxicity Storage, transport or handling toxic Adequate containment and separation
solids, liquids or gases. from persons, bulk/local storage areas
and bunding, ventilation/extraction,
detection and alarms.
Incompatible materials Incompatible dangerous goods (e.g. Separation of incompatible dangerous
acids/caustics) causing high goods, bulk/local storage areas and
temperature or pressure or creating bunding.
toxic by-products.
Asphyxiant Asphyxiants such as carbon monoxide Ventilation/extraction, detection and
or exhaust fumes. alarms.
Gases that displace oxygen (e.g.
nitrogen, carbon dioxide).
Pressure Vessels - Refer to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Plant
High pressure Release of liquids (e.g. large tanks) or Reduce pressure, separation and
gases (tyres, gas cylinders) under barriers, pressure rated equipment
pressure from impact, corrosion or pipes, hoses and fittings, pressure relief
vibration. devices.
Low pressure Tank/silo collapse as level or Reduce pressure differential, pressure
temperature drops, vacuum. rating on vessels, pressure relief
devices.
Plant/Equipment - Refer to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Plant
Moving In-running nips, entanglement, Separation/guarding.
material/equipment shearing, striking, etc.
Mobile equipment Forklifts, cranes, vehicles, deliveries. Separation of people and mobile
equipment, barriers.
Cuts Sharp edges, broken glass. Reduce or protect sharp edges. Use
toughened glass.
Electrical
Electrical wiring and Overhead cables near roadways, Locate roads/access away from
equipment underground cables, switch rooms, overhead cables, fencing, signs and
electrical equipment, switch boxes. restricted access.
Physical Environment - Asbestos, Hazardous Substances, Manual Handling, and Noise Regulations.
Confined Spaces, First Aid in the Workplace, Hazardous Substances, Manual Handling, Plant, and
Workplaces Codes of Practice.

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 Noise Noisy equipment, lack of attenuation. Reduction of noise at source, isolation,
attenuating materials, separation of
equipment from persons.
Heat/Cold Cool rooms, draughts from ventilation Air conditioning, ventilation, fans.
systems. Insulation, heat guards, separation
Furnaces, heaters, sun. distances from workers, shade
structures.
Radiation Sun/UV light, electromagnetic, ionising, Shade structures, UV protective glass,
infra-red, lasers. separate radiation emitting devices
from persons by separation and
protective structures.
Dust Dust generated by equipment or Separation, ventilation.
storage and handling of material.
Fumes/lack of Location of air conditioning intake, Separation, ventilation.
ventilation engine exhaust, process by-products,
burners.
Inclement weather Slippery surfaces, flooding, wind, Surface materials, drainage, design
lightning. loadings for wind, lightning conduction.
Manual Handling - Refer to the Code of Practice for Manual Handling
High forces Lifting, pushing, pulling, holding, Mechanical aids, ergonomic design.
throwing and carrying.
Repetitive movement Packing, typing, assembling, cleaning Mechanical aids, ergonomic design.
or sustained posture and sorting, using hand tools and
operating equipment.
Environment See Environment hazards above (e.g.
climatic conditions may increase risk of
injury).
Microbiological
Bacteria, viruses or Legionella, blood products, waste. Dry air conditioning. Isolation of areas.
other pathogens
Psychosocial - Refer to the prevention of bullying and violence at work guidance note
Violence Violent customers, illegal activities (e.g. Barriers, separation from potentially
robberies), access at night. violent customers, distress alarms,
lighting, reduction of staff isolation.
Stress
Working at height - Refer to the Code of Practice for prevention of falls
Fall from height Unprotected edges, inadequate height Allow work to be done at ground level,
access, ladders. platforms, stairs, guard railing, height
access equipment.
Slips/trips Change in levels, steps, slippery floor Appropriate ramps/steps, adequate
surface, poor lighting. lighting, surface finish/texture.
Dropped objects Elevated work platforms, work near Toe guards, barriers.
unprotected edges.
Structural collapse Inadequate strength, fatigue. Appropriate design limits.
Other
This table is provided as a guide, it is not intended as a complete listing of all potential hazards. Any
hazards not considered in the table should also be considered if relevant to the building or structure
workplaces being designed.
Outputs
An understanding of the complexity of the OHS issues and to be able to plan what expertise and
resources are available.
Linkage
Acts, Regulations, Codes: http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/vwa/home.nsf/pages/worksafe_home#legal
Hazard identification:
http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/vwa/alerts.nsf/docsbyUNID/F9933C3F016D9133CA256FDC008037CF?Open

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Hazard and risk identification: http://www.wsrm.com.au/hazard_&_risk_assessments.htm
Categorising risk: http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=categorising+risk+difficulty&btnG=Search&meta=
Major Hazard Facilities Regulations – Guidance Note GN – 13 – Hazard Identification:
http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/vwa/home.nsf/pages/so_majhaz_guidance/$File/GN13.pdf

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