Managing the Risk

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments

Managing Risk
Managing risk includes the identification of hazards, assessment of the risk and deciding on control
measures to eliminate or minimize the risk.
When identifying hazards, it’s important to look for all the conditions and situations that could possibly
harm your workers or workers that may be on your site such as contractors or contracted service
providers.
This document is intended for use by managers, supervisors, workers and joint health and safety
committee members. It outlines the steps in a risk assessment and provides details on completing a job
hazard analysis. See Appendix B: Risk Assessment Template (available in Portrait and Landscape format).
A Risk Assessment is the overall process of hazard identification, risk analysis and risk evaluation and
includes:
 Hazard Identification which is the process of finding, listing and characterising hazards
 Assessing the degree of risk of injury or illness for the hazards that have been identified
Determining and implementing measures to eliminate or control those hazards

STEP ONE: HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

Hazard identification is the process of finding, listing and characterizing hazards. The identification of
hazards requires;
 An inventory of all occupations within the organization
 Identifying job tasks within each of those occupations
 Identifying the hazards associated with each of those job tasks

When identifying hazards, you’re looking for all the conditions and situations that could possibly harm
your workers or contracted service providers working in your workplace.

Hazards generally arise from the following:

 Physical work environment
 Psychological work environment
 Equipment, materials, and substances in the workplace
 Ergonomics, work tasks and how they are performed
 Work design and management
The Hazard Identification Guide (Attachment A) provides examples of potential hazards that may be
present in the workplace. It has been designed to assist managers, supervisors, members of the Joint
Health and Safety Committee and/or the Worker Health and Safety Representative in the identification
of potential hazards associated with specific tasks.

STEP TWO: ASSESS THE LEVEL OF RISK

 Managing the Risk
Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments

Consider the hazards you’ve identified in Step One and use the risk assessment matrix below as a guide
to assess the level of risk.

Ask yourself what is the likelihood that the task may result in injury, illness or incident if corrective
action is not taken.

Consequences
Likelihood
Insignificant Minor Moderate Major Critical
Almost certain Medium Medium High Extreme Extreme
Likely Low Medium High High Extreme
Possible Low Medium High High High
Unlikely Low Low Medium Medium High
Rate Low Low Low Low Medium

The following tables provide definitions for each of the categories listed under likelihood and
consequences.

Consequence Description of Consequence Likelihood Description of Likelihood

Insignificant No treatment required Rare Only in exceptional situations
Minor Injury requires first aid Unlikely Not likely to occur
Moderate Injury requires medical Possible May occur within the
treatment or lost time foreseeable future
Major Serious injury, specialist or Likely Likely to occur within the
hospitalisation required foreseeable future
Critical Likely to result in permanent Almost certain Almost certain to occur with
disability or death the foreseeable future

The following table provides definitions for each of the risk levels and action that is required for
identified tasks.

Risk Level Description of Risk Level Actions

If an accident were to occur, there would be Undertake the activity with the
 Low
little likelihood that an injury would result existing controls in place
If an accident were to occur, there would be Additional controls may be needed
 Medium
some chance that an injury would occur
If an accident were to occur, it would be likely Controls will need to be in place
 High
that an injury would require medical attention before the activity is undertaken
If an accident were to occur, it would likely Significant control measures
 Extreme
result in a significant, debilitating injury needed or eliminate the activity
STEP THREE: CONTROL THE RISK
 Managing the Risk
Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments

List the hazards you have identified in Step One. Next, rate their level of risk as determined in Step
Two. Then determine the control measures that you will implement to minimize the risk. Note:
Control measures should be implemented in accordance with the preferred hierarchy of control. If
lower control measures are to be implemented without higher level controls, it is important that the
reasons are explained

Hierarchy of Control
Most Effective Elimination Remove the hazard completely from the workplace or
activity
Substitution Replace a hazard with a safer alternative or less dangerous
one
Redesign Make the machine, equipment or work process safer such
as reducing the capacity of laundry bags
Isolation Separate people from the hazard such as removing
chemical storage to a separate, well ventilated area
Administration Implement rules, signage or training to make the
workplace safer
Personal Protective Use protective clothing and equipment such as gloves,
Least Effective Equipment gowns, masks, hearing protection

STEP 4: COMPLETE THE ASSESSMENT

Complete the assessment by answering the following questions:

Who is responsible for completing the control measures?

Who is responsible for ensuring the control measures eliminate or minimize the risk?
What are the timelines for completion of the identified control measures?
Yes No
Are the planned controls sufficient and effective in minimizing the level of risk?  

Have there been any changes to the planned control measures?  

Are further control measures required in the future?  

Is additional training required for workers?  
If yes, provide details ___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Is there a remaining risk once the control measures have been completed?  
If yes, what is the remaining level of risk ___________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

References
 Managing the Risk
Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments

Identifying Workplace Hazards. WorkSafe BC

https://www.worksafebc.com/en/health-safety/create-manage/managing-risk/identifying-hazards.

https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/videos/understanding-hazards-and-risks?
lang=en&origin=s&returnurl=https%3A%2F%2Fww

Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/sample_risk.html

Health and Safety Risk Management. Queensland Government

http://education.qld.gov.au/health/safety/managing/risk.html

https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=http%3A%2F%2Feducation.qld.gov.au%2Fhealth
%2Fdocs%2Fhealthsafety%2Fhealth-safety-risk-assessment-template.doc

Public Services Health & Safety Association

https://www.pshsa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/job-hazard-analysis-riskassessment.pdf

SafeCare BC

http://safecarebc.ca/tools/templates/
 Managing the Risk
Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments

Appendix A
Hazard Identification Guide

STEP ONE: IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS

General
 Wind/rain  Heat  Cold
 Loud noise/sounds  Vibration  Humidity
 Insects  Rodents  Terrain
 Work space  Working surfaces  Parking lot access
 Doors & windows secured  Parking lot lighting 
  

Site Specific
 Unrestrained Animals  Restricted Access/Egress  Limited work space
 Floor surfaces  Lighting  Glare
 Clutter  Uncovered cables/cords  Sharps/sharp objects
  

Air Quality
 Poor ventilation  Smoke  Dust
 Exposure to gases  Fine particulates 
 Aerosols  Aerosol meds  Pesticides
 Friable/broken Asbestos  Aerosol cleaning agents 
  
Equipment, materials and substances in the workplace or work environment
Chemicals
 Household cleaners  Solvents  Flammable
 Commercial cleaners  Caustic substances  Explosive
 Pressurized gases  Cytotoxic drugs  Anti-neoplastics
 Unsafe sharps containers  Radiation 
  

Biological hazards
 Exposure to blood  Exposure to body fluids  Exposure to diseases
 Exposure to parasites  Food preparation  Food handling
 Mould  Toxic plants  Wound care
  

Equipment
 Damaged/broken equipment
 Poor access to ladders/stools
 Lack of/poor guards/shields
 Vibrating tools

 Lock out procedures  Wheeled resistance
 Sharp objects  Conveyor systems
 Availability of lifts  Availability of slings
 
 Managing the Risk
Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments

Violence
 Client initiated
 Stranger initiated
 Lack of violence alert system
 Lack of Code White process
 Resident initiated  Visitor initiated
 Family initiated 
 Lack of worker training 
 Lack of Code White drills 

Working Alone
 Work alone in the building  Conduct high risk tasks  Call-in system
 Work/travel alone for work  Buddy system  Travel at night
 Travel in isolated areas  Cell service (in-range)  Access/Egress
  

Resident/Client Lifts and Transfers

 Manually lifting  Use of transfer belts  Bending/twisting
 Transfer techniques/tools  1-person mechanical lifts  Static postures
 Pushing/pulling  Repetitious movement  Manual transfers
  
  

Materials Handling
 Excess/heavy loads  Laundry bags (wt./load)  Garbage (wt/loads)
 Awkward postures  Bending/twisting  Awkward loads
 Stand/hold/bend long periods  Repetitious movement  Prolonged standing
  

Driving for Work

 Transport disabled persons  Travel in high traffic  Rainy conditions
 Personal vehicle use  Winter road conditions  Road condition
 Travel in isolated areas  Travel in high crime areas  Vehicle condition
 Hands-free calling in vehicle  
  

Work Design and Management

 Written Safe Work Procedures  Pace of work  Work space design

 Mgmt. commitment to safety  Instruction & training  Supervision
 Safety orientation  Peer support  _________________
 _______________________  _____________________  _________________
 Managing the Risk
Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments

Appendix B (Portrait Format)

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Department: Location:
Completed by: Date:

Occupation(s):

Task:
HAZARDSTEP ONE:

List all the hazards specific to the task

(Reference the Hazard Identification Guide)
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
THESTEP TWO:

Likelihood Consequences Risk Level

 Almost certain  Insignificant  Low

 Likely  Minor  Medium
 Hierarchy
Possible of Control  Moderate  High
THREE:

Describe the Control Measures to be Taken

ASSESS

 Elimination ______________________________________________________
 Substitution ______________________________________________________
THE STEP

 Redesign ______________________________________________________
CONTROL

 Responsibility
Isolation ______________________________________________________
for implementing the controls Timeline for completion
__________________________
ASSESSEMNTSTEP FOUR: COMPLETE

_____________________ & ____________________

Yes No
  Are the controls sufficient/effective in minimizing the risk? If no provide details
  Have there been changes to the planned controls? If yes provide details
  Are further controls required in the future?
  Is additional training required for workers? If yes, provide details
 Managing the Risk
Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments

Attachment B (Landscape) Occupations: _________________ Tasks: ______________________ Department: _________________

Hazard Identification and Risk _____________________________ ____________________________ Location: ____________________
Assessment
HAZARDSTEP ONE:

List all the hazards specific to the task

(Reference the Hazard Identification Guide)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RISKSTEP TWO: ASSESS

Likelihood Consequences Risk Level

 Almost certain  Insignificant  Low
 Likely  Minor  Medium
 Possible  Moderate  High
 Unlikely  Major Critical  Extreme
THREE:

Hierarchy of Control Describe the Control Measures to be Taken

THE STEPTHE

 Elimination __________________________________________________________________________________________
 Substitution __________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
CONTROL

 Redesign Responsibility for implementing the controls Start Date _____________________

ASSESSEMNTSTEP FOUR: COMPLETE

_____________________ / ____________________ / ________________________________ Completion Date _____________________

Yes No
  Are the controls sufficient/effective in minimizing the risk? If no provide details _______________________________________
  Have there been changes to the planned controls? If yes provide details _____________________________________________
  Are further controls required in the future? If yes provide details ____________________________________________________
  Is additional training required for workers? If yes, provide details ___________________________________________________