SAFETY MANAGEMENT

A hazard assessment is an evaluation of a work place, or work situation, as to the potential for
hazards that a worker may encounter while performing the job. A hazard assessment is a
thorough check of the work environment. The purpose of a hazard assessment is to identify
potential risks and hazards in the area as well as to identify appropriate safety measures to be
used to mitigate the identified hazards.

Since you cannot make a real-time hazard assessment of a specific construction project, you can
use your past observations of projects which you have seen or you can utilize news reports
(radio, newspaper or television) relating to construction projects that you have heard, read or
watched accordingly.

1. Make a list of work hazards that can be identified in a construction project.

 Working at height.
 Moving objects.
 Slips, trips, and falls.
 Noise.
 Hand arm vibration syndrome.
 Material and manual handling.
 Collapsing trenches.
 Asbestos.
 Electricity.
 Airborne fibers and materials.

2. Using the list in #1, evaluate the level of risk for each hazard as either minimal exposure
or serious exposure.

 Working at height. - (SERIOUS EXPOSURE)

 Moving objects.
 Slips, trips, and falls.
 Noise.
 Hand arm vibration syndrome.
 Material and manual handling.
 Collapsing trenches.
- (SERIOUS EXPOSURE)
- (SERIOUS EXPOSURE)
- (MINIMAL EXPOSURE)
- (SERIOUS EXPOSURE)
- (SERIOUS EXPOSURE)
- (SERIOUS EXPOSURE)
  Asbestos. - (SERIOUS EXPOSURE)
 Electricity. - (SERIOUS EXPOSURE)
 Airborne fibers and materials. - (SERIOUS EXPOSURE)

3. Based on the level of risk assessed in #2, suggest or recommend appropriate measures for
each hazard. Always consider eliminating the hazard first, if possible. If elimination is
not possible, consider reducing the hazard to an acceptable level.

Note: Use the table format given below to present your answers in #s 1,2 and 3.

Hazard Level of Risk Recommended Measures

Working at height
Moving objects
Slips, trips, falls
Noise
Hand arm vibration
SERIOUS EXPOSURE Suitable training is required for all
employees who work at height.
Employees should be trained in
working on different pieces of
equipment and surfaces, such as how
to work safely on scaffolding, ladders,
and roofs
SERIOUS EXPOSURE Avoid working close to the moving
object. Be vigilant of their
surroundings, especially if the object
does not have lights or beepers. Wear
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),
such as a high visibility jacket, to
ensure they are seen.
SERIOUS EXPOSURE Provide walkways that are clearly
designated as walkways, having good
conditions underfoot, and being well
lit, keep their work and storage areas
tidy and designating specific areas for
waste designation, cables should be
run at high levels, any areas that are
slippery should be signposted, and
footwear with a good grip should be
worn
MINIMAL EXPOSURE It is the employer’s responsibility to
carry out a comprehensive noise risk
assessment, and provide appropriate
PPE where necessary.
SERIOUS EXPOSURE Construction workers should be given
syndrome appropriate protection when using
vibrating tools, and equipment should
be well maintained.
Material and manual SERIOUS EXPOSURE Where duties involve manual
handling handling, adequate training must be
provided. If an employee is required to
use lifting equipment, they must be
trained in how to use this and a test
should be taken to check their ability
to use the equipment safely.

Collapsing trenches SERIOUS EXPOSURE Consider the kind of support that is

best suited for the trench. Ensure the
trench is fully secure. Regularly
inspect the trench both before and
during the work shift.
Asbestos SERIOUS EXPOSURE If there is asbestos on the construction
site, workers must be informed where
it is. They must be trained in what to
do should they come across suspicious
materials that may contain asbestos.
Electricity SERIOUS EXPOSURE Avoid contact with overhead or
underground power cables and
electrical equipment/machinery.
Airborne fibers and SERIOUS EXPOSURE It is the duty of all employers to ensure
materials protective equipment is used.

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