RISK ASSESSMENT MODULE 5

AND CONTROL
WHY DOCUMENTATION OF RISK
CONTROL AND SAFETY MEASURES IS
ESSENTIAL
 Controlling risk to customers and employees is one of the most
important aspects of being in business. Sadly, too often business
owners hope for the best and ignore protocol, ignore that faulty light
fixture, and ignore that malfunctioning vehicle in their fleet.
 The truth however, is that any one of these actions can lead to a very
serious injury, either to a customer, visitor, or employee.
 Following behind shortly after may be a lawsuit that could cost
hundreds of thousands of dollars or even more.
 As a result, being proactive in your risk control strategy is a matter of
survival for your business.
THE IMPORTANCE OF
DOCUMENTATION IN COURT AND
BEYOND
 Documentation of actions taken can become a key component when it
comes to dealing with legal problems.
 First and foremost, you may be able to receive better rates and terms on a
business insurance policy when you can prove documentation of your risk
control efforts.
 Secondly, if a case does make it to court, your risk control documentation
can potentially save your company from negligence charges, charges which
can lead to serious criminal penalties if proven.
 Your documentation should include as much information as possible, and in
today’s digital world, this includes pictures, videos, audio narration, and
text. Don’t leave anything out, and if in doubt, document it.
DOCUMENTING HIRARC
RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
 Proper management of hazards sporadically identified in the workplace can
be done through effective process.
 Ultimately, the individual or team who identified the hazard must ensure
proper communication of the hazard to the appropriate workplace authority
(manager, department head, or designated person).
 Each HIRARC must be fully documented. The HIRARC form must be
completed by the HIRARC team and signed by the in charge personnel of
the area.
 Departments responsible for the hazards and their control are required to
maintain all records of assessments for at least 3 years. (In some cases,
legislative requirements will determine the minimum time to retain
records).
DOCUMENTING HIRARC
RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
 The appropriate authority is responsible for ensuring that effective
and timely controls are applied to the hazard and communicating
the results back to the originator.
 Management or employer must endorse and approve the HIRARC
results.
 Employer must communicate all HIRARC to employees, monitor
the follow up action and keep the records.
 The HIRARC Form is an example to document the HIRARC
process.
DOCUMENTING HIRARC
DOCUMENTING PROCESS
Instructions to team leader and persons conducting HIRARC -
a) complete HIRARC Form. It is recommended to use a single form for
each work process;
b) record the names and designation of HIRAC team members;
c) outline the process workflow and indicate in the form under ‘process/
location column;
d) list all activities ( routine and non-routine) for each work process
under the “Work Activity” column;
DOCUMENTING HIRARC
DOCUMENTING PROCESS
e) identify the hazards associated with each activity and record in
“Hazard” column;
f) determine the effect of each hazard identified and record in “Effect”
column;
g) record any existing hazard control measures;
h) determine likelihood (L) from Table A and severity (S) from Table B
for each hazard. Assign P and C rating in respectively column. The
existing control measures should be take into consideration while
determine (L) and (S);
DOCUMENTING HIRARC
DOCUMENTING PROCESS
i) by using Risk Matrix ( Table C and D ) assign one risk and record in “Risk”
column;
j) based on the risk assigned, recommend appropriate risk control measures
( see Table D);
k) assign a suitable person to implement the recommended risk control and
indicate the follow up action date and status;
l) repeat the HIRARC for other activities and process;
m) conduct another round of HIRARC after control measures have been
implemented; and
n) review HIRARC for every three years or whenever there are changes in
process or activities.
CONSULTATION
 It is a legal requirement to assess the risks to the health and safety of all
employees (and risks to the health and safety of persons not in employment) to
which they are exposed while they are at work.
 Employees and health & safety representatives should be consulted as it is a
valuable way of involving the staff who do the work.
 They know the risks involved and scope for potentially dangerous shortcuts and
problems. Employees are more likely to understand why procedures are put in
place to control risks and follow them if they have been involved in developing
health and safety practices in their workplace.
CONSULTATION
 However, this does not mean that formal consultation is required
before every task-specific assessment conducted in workplaces.
 It simply means that consultation should form part of the general
risk assessment process.
 In practice, most employers conduct a general assessment to identify
the key risks and control measures, and then a second brief
assessment of the risks by the employees about to embark on the
job.
TRAINING
 Information, instruction and training provide employees with the skills
and knowledge to
 perform their work in a manner that is safe and without risks to health.
It enables them to -
a) follow health and safety procedures;
b) use risk controls set in place for their protection; and
c) have an appreciation of the nature of the hazard; the risks associated
with their
 use; and the reason why risk controls are used.
TRAINING
 Managers, Supervisors Health and Safety Representatives and others
who may be required to perform risk assessments by agreement with
management shall be trained in hazard identification risk assessment
and control methods. They must be trained in the risk assessment
process and be familiar with -
i. the regulations associated with the hazard;
ii. have a practical understanding of the work hazards; and
iii. consult with the Health and Safety Representative.
THANK YOU!!!
FINISHED!!!!!