JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS AND RISK ASSESSMENT
What is the Task/Job being analysed?
Risk Assessment Number:
(allocated when registered)
Site:
Team Leader:
Investigating team members:
Legislative references:
Other references:
JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS AND RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS – Planning, Task Preparation and Site Setup
List of events/steps in the
activity or identified hazard/s
1. Unsafe oxygen levels
491801696.doc
GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT FOR CONDUCTING WORK IN A CONFINED SPACE
RA-000 Date assessment conducted:      /     /     
CQUniversity      
     
     
 Qld Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995       
 Qld Workplace Health and Safety Regulations 2008
 List other CQUniversity policies & procedures here  Australian Standards 2865 - 2009
Describe the hazard and possible Risk Score Risk Score Controls Implemented?
Control measures
risk Pre treatment Post treatment Yes No
Oxygen levels inside a confined space                   
may fall below a ‘safe’ level (19.5%)
due to chemical or biological reactions.
Situations which may bring these
reactions, and thus oxygen deficiency,
include:
 combustion of flammable substances
(such as welding, heating or cutting);
 slow bacterial reactions of organic
substances (the contents of a
sewerage pit);
 reaction of inorganic substances
(rust forming on the inside of metal
surface);
 displacing oxygen with another gas
(e.g. nitrogen used to remove
flammable or toxic fumes); and
 high oxygen consumption rate (e.g.
many people working in a small
confined space).
Page 1 of 9 Updated: 25 March 2011
 JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS AND RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS – Planning, Task Preparation and Site Setup
List of events/steps in the
activity or identified hazard/s
2. Flammable and explosive
atmospheres
491801696.doc
Describe the hazard and possible Risk Score Risk Score Controls Implemented?
Control measures
risk Pre treatment Post treatment Yes No
Oxygen enriched atmospheres relates                   
to poorly designed or maintained
oxygen storage equipment. High
oxygen levels support combustion.
In conjunction with combustible or
explosive materials, the risk of fire and
explosion is increased in oxygen
enriched atmospheres. Leakage can
occur from oxygen lines, pipes, and
fittings and thus, inadvertently enrich
the atmosphere.
1.1.                         
An atmosphere becomes flammable                   
and explosive when a mixture of
oxygen and flammable material is
present in the proper proportions. If an
ignition source is also present
combustion of the atmosphere occurs.
A common source of explosive
atmospheres is residue left over in
tanks or containers. Although the
container may appear to be
completely empty, small quantities of
flammable liquid can become trapped
and evaporate to form an explosive
air-vapour mix.
 Other processes that can form an
explosive air-vapour mix in confined
spaces include:
 spray painting
 cleaning with solvents
 applying surface coatings;
 leaking material from pipes, fittings
or valves; or chemical reactions
which produce flammable gases or
vapours
Ignition sources provide enough heat
Page 2 of 9 Updated: 25 March 2011
 JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS AND RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS – Planning, Task Preparation and Site Setup
List of events/steps in the Describe the hazard and possible Risk Score Risk Score Controls Implemented?
Control measures
activity or identified hazard/s risk Pre treatment Post treatment Yes No

energy to ignite a flammable or                   

explosive atmosphere. An ignition
source can be a spark, a flame or just
a hot surface. Ignition sources
commonly found, or introduced, into
confined spaces include:
 open flames, such as welding
torches or cigarette lighters;
 electrical arcing from incorrectly
installed wires or electrically
overloaded fittings;
 hot surfaces, such as steam lines,
heaters or exposed light bulbs;
 static electricity sparks;
 frictional sparks;
 a spark or heat produced by non-
intrinsically safe electrical equipment
3. Substances Hazardous to Substances of a hazardous nature       If a substance being used is classified as a      
Health may be present in a confined space. hazardous substance, the substance’s
These substances may be introduced material safety data sheet (MSDS) must be
for use in the confined space or available and should be referred to for safe
generated by a process being use of the substance.
conducted in or near the confined
space.       
Substances may be present in a
confined space in various forms
including dusts, vapours, gases, fumes
and mists. Substances of a hazardous
nature in a confined space can arise
from:
 the work processes being
undertaken (the use of solvents,
adhesives, and degreasing agents
may produce vapours; welding
producing fumes and gases; use of
acid cleaning solutions or spray
painting producing mists; or a
process which disturbs solid
materials may produce dusts);
 the storage or transfer of materials in
491801696.doc Page 3 of 9 Updated: 25 March 2011
 JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS AND RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS – Planning, Task Preparation and Site Setup
List of events/steps in the Describe the hazard and possible Risk Score Risk Score Controls Implemented?
Control measures
activity or identified hazard/s risk Pre treatment Post treatment Yes No

a confined space, such as sewerage

or grain;
 spills or leakage from pipes, fittings
or machinery, including those from
adjacent or underground sources
releasing toxic or flammable gases;
 disturbing materials such as sludge;
 chemical reactions between
substances present in the confined
space atmosphere;
 exhaust gases from pumps or other
machinery used in or near confined
spaces;
 gasses in sewers and stormwater
drains.
The principal route of exposure to a                   
substance hazardous to health in a
confined space is likely to be through
inhalation of atmospheric contaminants.
However, ingestion of a substance
through hand to mouth contact and
absorption of the substance through the
skin contact is also possible.
3.1.                         
4. Engulfment Materials stored in or around confined                   
spaces (sawdust/soil) can surround,
trap & engulf a person within seconds.
Often the victim is unaware of this
hazard, when a seemingly solid surface
gives way under their weight. As the
person tries to escape, their movement
only draws them deeper into the
material. Once engulfed, the pressure
exerted on the person’s body makes
breathing difficult or impossible. Once
this supply of oxygen is cut off, death
can occur within 4 minutes.
4.1.                         

491801696.doc Page 4 of 9 Updated: 25 March 2011

 JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS AND RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS – Planning, Task Preparation and Site Setup
List of events/steps in the
activity or identified hazard/s
5. Electrical Hazards
6. Isolation of power supply
to plant hazards
7. Thermal hazards
491801696.doc
Describe the hazard and possible Risk Score Risk Score Controls Implemented?
Control measures
risk Pre treatment Post treatment Yes No
Contact with electrical sources can                   
result in a variety of adverse health
effects including:
 burns and scalds as heat passes
through body tissue;
 involuntary muscle contraction when
a person cannot let go of the object
until the energy source is cut;
 ventricular fibrillation - when the body
receives a severe electric shock, the
heart muscles begin to quiver and fail
to pump blood throughout the body;
 cardiac arrest full stoppage of the
heart; and
 pulmonary arrest when nerves in the
brain controlling breathing are
damaged, causing inability to breathe.
5.1.                         
Power supply to plant which could                   
adversely affect the health or safety of
workers inside a confined space must
be isolated before anyone enters the
confined space, eg. a sweep auger
which could become energised, or
machinery to dispense grain into a silo
must be isolated before entry to silo.
6.1.                         
Working in hot environments can                   
adversely affect workers through the
onset of heat related illness such as
cramps, exhaustion and heat stroke.
For example, steam cleaning the
inside of a confined space will increase
the risk of heat stress. At the other
extreme, low temperature confined
spaces can lead to reduced mental
alertness, hypothermia and frostbite.
7.1.                         
Page 5 of 9 Updated: 25 March 2011
 JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS AND RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS – Planning, Task Preparation and Site Setup
List of events/steps in the Describe the hazard and possible Risk Score Risk Score Controls Implemented?
Control measures
activity or identified hazard/s risk Pre treatment Post treatment Yes No

8. Physical hazards Falling objects present a hazard,                   

particularly to people working in open
topped spaces or when work is carried
out above people. In a silo, grain or
other material may have stuck to the
wall, and may become dislodged in a
solid mass, potentially injuring anyone
working inside the confined space.

When working in access holes located

in roadways or footpaths there is a risk
of pedestrians falling into the hole,
items being thrown into the hole and
motorists colliding with people working
in and around access holes.

The lighting levels within a confined

space may not be adequate to work
safely.

Awkward or vertical entry points may

introduce hazards such as falling from
height. Small or awkward spaces may
restrict movement and encourage
sustained and awkward postures. This
risk may be increased if equipment or
machinery is to be used in the
confined space.
8.1.                         
9. Noise hazards Noise levels can be amplified within a                   
confined space. This can increase a
person’s exposure, reducing the length
of time they are able to work without
hearing protection. Further, noise can
inhibit communication between people
working in a confined space.
9.1.                         
10. Plant and machinery Plant and mechanical equipment, such                   
hazards as augers, conveyers and pumps, are
491801696.doc Page 6 of 9 Updated: 25 March 2011
 JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS AND RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS – Planning, Task Preparation and Site Setup
List of events/steps in the Describe the hazard and possible Risk Score Risk Score Controls Implemented?
Control measures
activity or identified hazard/s risk Pre treatment Post treatment Yes No

commonly found in confined spaces.

Such machinery presents the risk to
workers of entanglement, cutting,
crushing or other acute injuries if not
adequately guarded.
11. Psychological hazards Any one or combination of the above                   
hazards when working in a confined
space can induce psychological factors
such as stress and claustrophobia.
12.       12.1.                        

491801696.doc Page 7 of 9 Updated: 25 March 2011

The Risk Management Process
The risk management process required by the WH&S Act is systematically divided into five steps:
1. Identify hazards, based on experience, recorded data and other information;
2. Assess risks that may result by making an evaluation of the level of risks to the health and safety of
workers, based on the consequences and likelihood of harm;
3. Decide on control measures from the hierarchy of control i.e.
a. Eliminate
b. Substitute
c. Isolate
d. or engineer out the risks,
e. or reduce them through administrative measures
f. or personal protective equipment to prevent or minimise the level of the risks.
This should be achieved by selecting the highest order control method possible and then
proceeding down the list in order;
4. Implement the selected control measure(s) in the workplace; and
5. Monitor and review the effectiveness of the control (treatment) measures to ensure that they are
working correctly to control the risks and that no other risks have been introduced.

RISK ASSESSMENT CALCULATOR/MATRIX

Assess the likelihood and consequences to estimate the risks
associated.
Consequences: How severely could it hurt someone?
Likelihood Insignificant Minor Moderate Major
Extreme or
Catastrophic
How likely could No Injury First Aid Injury Medical Serious bodily
Death or
it happen No lost time Treatment Injury
permanent
disability
Almost Certain
is expected to M H H E E
occur at most times
Likely
will probably M M H H E
occur at most times
Possible
might occur at L M M H H
some time
Unlikely
could occur at L L M M H
some time
Rare
may occur in rare L L L M M
circumstances

RISK ASSESSMENT CALCULATOR

Five step Risk Management Process
Step 1. Identify all of the hazards or risks associated with the work.
Step 2. Assess the risks these hazards create.
Step 3. Decide on the measures to control the hazards or risks using the Hierarchy of
controls below.
Step 4. Decide on Control
Step 5. Monitor and review the effectiveness of the control measures
Legend Control Measures
Extreme risk, immediate action ELIMINATE - eliminate the hazard or process,
E required material or substance completely.
High risk, prioritised action SUBSTITUTE - replace the process, material or
H required substance with a safer one.
Moderate risk, planned action ISOLATE - isolate the person(s) from the
M required process, material or substance.
Low risk, actioned by routine ENGINEER - design or re-design the
L procedures process, material or substance.
ADMIN - limit exposure to the risk by job
CQUniversity - Risk Assessment rotation, work procedure & training.
Calculator PPE - use protective equipment.

491801696.doc Page 8 of 9 Updated: 25 March 2011

JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS AND RISK ASSESSMENT
What is the Task / Job being analysed?      

Risk Assessment Number:

      Date assessment conducted:      /     /     
(allocated when registered)

List the JSA/Risk Assessment control measures that have not been implemented:
Risk Assessment Team Leader:

1.      
2.      
3.      
4.      
5.      
     

Team Leader Name Team Leader Signature Date

ORIGINAL to Organisational Manager/Supervisor

Action Plan/Item Action By Completion Date
1.                  /      /     
Organisational Unit Manger or delegate

2.                  /      /     

3.                  /      /     

4.                  /      /     

5.                  /      /     

Comments:      
     
     
     

     

Organisational Unit (or delegate)

Signature Date
Name

ORIGINAL to be registered/filed by Organisational Unit

COPY (showing details) to be returned to Team Leader/Supervisor
The JSA/Risk Assessment is now completed and allocated a number form the DFM Risk Assessment register it would then be copied with the original being retained by
Organisational Unit management and the copy being returned to the originator.

The Risk Assessment is now completed and requires a number to be allocated from the area Risk
Assessment register it would then be copied with the original being retained by management and the copy
being returned to the originator.

491801696.doc Page 9 of 9 Updated: 25 March 2011