OH&S

Hazard Identification,
and Risk Assessment

qc
quality concerns
 Types of Hazards

Chemical Hazards: from liquids, solids, dusts, fumes, vapors
and gases, burns.

Physical Hazards: noise, vibration, poor lighting, radiation
and temperatures.

Biological Hazards: bacteria, viruses, infectious waste

Psychological Hazards: stress and strain

Improper Ergonomic Conditions: poorly designed
machinery, tools, equipment, workstation or work practices.

Mechanical, Electrical, Pressure Hazards, cuts,

Trips, falls, slips, collisions

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 Mechanical Hazards
 Associated with power driven machines
Sources
- Contact with moving parts (pulleys, gears,
rolls, punch, cutters, saw, chains, belt
drives, shafts, conveyors etc)
- Inappropriate installation of machines
- Flying metal chips
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 Mechanical Hazards
Common Mechanical Injuries are:

Cutting and Tearing

Shearing

Crushing

Breaking

Straining and Spraining

Puncturing

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 Electrical Hazards
- Contact with bare wire carrying current
- Electrical equipment that has not been properly
grounded
- Working with electrical equipment on damp floor
- Static electricity discharge
- Loose wiring, Insulation failure.
- Working on electrical equipment without ensuring
that power has been shutoff.
- Using metal ladders to work on electrical equipment

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 Fall Hazards
- Include Slip, Trip and Fall
Causes
- Foreign object on walking surface
- Design flaw in walking surface/ uneven floor
- Slippery Surfaces
- Working at height
- Missing ladder/ planks/ railing
- Inclined surface
- Loose wiring, cables, pipe line on floor/
walking surface
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 Impact, Acceleration Hazards
Sources
- Falling objects from height
- Movement of vehicles (tank lorry, forklift,
crane, car etc.)
- Moving parts of machines
- Doors

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Storage / housekeeping
Hazards

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 Ergonomic Hazards

Ergonomics is the study of work in relation

to the environment in which it is performed
(the workplace) and those who perform it
(workers).

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 Ergonomic Hazards
Sources
 Repetitive motion
 Inappropriate Posture
 Improper lifting, handling/ Pushing
 Repeated use over time of vibrating tools and
equipment
 Applying force in an awkward position
 Applying excessive pressure on parts of the hand,
back, wrists or joints
 Working with a bent back
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 Ergonomic Hazards
Sources
 Lifting or Pushing heavy loads
 Poor Lighting, glare
 Poor ventilation
 Poor temperature control
 Poor humidity control
 Dust in the environment
 Noise

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 Pressure Hazards
 Pressure Vessels (Boilers, compressors etc)
 Absence/ Failure/ Blockade of safety device
 Incorrect Design of Vessels/ Piping
 Exothermic Reactions in close vessels (incompatible
chemicals e.g; Methyl Isocynate +H 2O)
 Inadequate installation/ support of pressure vessels
 Corrosion/ pitting

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 Chemical Hazards
(Flammable, Toxic, Explosive, Corrosive)

 Use, handling of chemicals and gases

 Dip Tanks
 Spark Generations
 Internal Combustion Engines , Burners
 Storage of fuels
 Gas Welding
 Lack of ventilation in rooms containing toxic
substances
 Working in Confined Spaces
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 Chemical Exposure Hazards
Physical Hazards
 Flammable solids or liquids
 Combustible liquids
 Explosives
 Organic Peroxides
 Oxidizers
 Pyrophoric materials (may ignite spontaneously in
air at temperature of 130oF or below)
 Unstable materials
 Water-reactive materials
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 Chemical Exposure Hazards
Health Hazards
 Carcinogens –cancer causing agents such as
formaldehyde or benzene
 Toxic agents – lawn and garden insecticides,
fungicides, and arsenic compounds.
 Irritants – bleaches and ammonia.
 Corrosives – battery acids and caustic soda.

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 Chemical Exposure Hazards

 Organ-specific agents which act

on specific organs or parts of the
body – asbestos which affects the
lungs, sulfuric acid which affects the
skin.

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 Chemical Exposure Hazards
Chemical Inventory
To begin your facility assessment, inventory the chemicals
found in the following situations:
 Raw Materials
 Testing/ Laboratory
 Maintenance
 Janitorial supplies
 Fuels
 Paints & varnishes
 Welding Fumes
 Dusts/ Exhaust Fumes
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Chemical Exposure Hazards

Information Sources
- Product Labels
- Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

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 Chemical Hazards Identification
Some conditions to look for during hazard identification that
could result in dangerous situation
- Chemicals stored or utilized near an ignition source.
- Tank or cylinder pressure above normal range.
- Extreme hot or cold temperatures in storage areas.
- Corroded pipe joints, fittings and valves
- Worn or cracked hoses.
- Fume hoods not available or used.
- Leaks and spills.
- Damaged or deteriorated containers.

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 Chemical Hazards Identification
- Open vessels left uncovered when not in use
- Odors that may indicate leaking chemicals (never open a
container to smell it)
- No Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available
- Employees not using appropriate PPEs
- No emergency eye wash/ shower facilities close to work
area.
- Incompatible chemicals stored together.
- No warning signs posted in areas where chemicals are used
or stored.

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 Biological Hazards

Biological Wastes (blood, fluids, cultures
etc)

Drug (antibiotics, marijuana)

Viruses, bacteria

Parasites, insects

Poisonous or diseased plants, animals

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Operation Theatre

Waste Anesthetic Gases

Bloodborne Pathogens
Latex Allergy
Compressed Gases
Static Postures
Laser Plume
Laser Hazards
Hazardous Chemicals
Slips/Trips/Falls
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Hospital Laboratory
Bloodborne Pathogens
Tuberculosis
OSHA Laboratory Standard
Formaldehyde Exposure
Toluene, Xylene, or Acryl Amide Exposure
Needle Stick and Sharps Injuries
Work Practices
Engineering Controls
Latex Allergy
Slips/Trips/Falls /Ergonomics
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 Pharmacy
Hazard Communication Standard
Hazardous Drugs During Preparation
Handling Practices
Hazardous Drugs During Administration
Hazardous Drugs During Care Giving
Disposal of Hazardous Drugs
Hazardous Drugs During Storage
Latex Allergy
Ergonomics
Workplace Violence
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 Nuclear Radiation Hazards
• Nuclear Reactions
• Radiography
• Nuclear Waste

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 Controls
Controls are the precautions taken to
prevent or reduce the risk of a hazard
causing an accident with the potential
for loss

(e.g; “Defensive Driving Training / SOP /

Planned Inspections, machine guards)
 ELIMINATE
The best control is to eliminate the
Hazard completely.

Any examples?

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 Substitute
The next is to substitute the material
with that of lesser Severity / Hazard.

Any examples?

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 Engineering Control
The next is to apply an Engineering
Control to contain the Hazard from
showing up.

Any examples?

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 Administrative Control
The next is to apply an Administrative
Control to prevent the Hazard from
showing up.

Any examples?

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Engineering Controls
Eliminate/reduce hazards through:

 Design
 Enclosures
 Barriers, railings,
 Relief valves,
 Sensors,
 Detectors
 Error proofing
 Substitute oil paint with water based paint
 Substitute manual loading with forklift
assisted loading
Administrative Controls
Eliminate or reduce exposure to hazards
through:

 General work practices

 Specific procedures
 Works Schedules
 Training
 Notices,
 Sign boards
 Job rotation
 Permit to work
 Maintenance
 Access control
Why are engineering controls considered
superior to administrative controls?

If you can get rid of the hazard,

you don't have to manage
exposure!
 Personal Protective Equipment
The last in the hierarchy because
it doesn't reduce or control the
hazard.

Then what does it do?

What are OH&S Controls ?
--- Access control, alarms,
--- Safety signs, safety interlocks,
--- Worker training, rotation,
--- Redundancy,
--- Fail safe designs,
--- Error proofing,
--- Labeling, safe stacking,
--- Safety guards, covers,
What are OH&S Controls ?
--- Safe storage conditions,
--- Display of MSDS,
--- Permit to work,
--- Inspect / test / Maintain OHS
equipment.
--- Exhaust systems,
--- Medical examinations,
--- Work place environmental testing
--- Shut down systems
--- Fire detection and control,
 The effective use of engineering
controls not only eliminates the
hazard, it also eliminates the need
to manage human behavior using
administrative controls to reduce
exposure.
No hazard...no exposure...
…no accident.
 Risk Assessment
The risk assessment should
cover
• All activities
• Materials
• Workplace
• Equipment
• People
• Sources
• Situations
• Locations
 5
Key steps of
Risk Assessment
Identify all Activities,
equipment,
locations

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 Routine,
Non-Routine
&
Emergency

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 Identify Hazards
associated with each
Activity
Equipment
Location

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 Identify
who is affected
Employee,
Public,
Visitor,
Contractor
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Consider Age
Sex
Health
Expectant mothers

Also Consider
Contractors, other people sharing
premises. Visitors, customers,
emergency services. Members of
the public, neighbours,
trespassers.
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 Identify
what Controls are
already in place

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 Calculate
Base Risk R1
Existing Risk R2

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 Base Risk

Risk if there were no

existing controls.
If existing controls were
to be removed.

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 Existing Risk

Risk after effective

application of existing
controls

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 Final Risk

Risk after application of

additional controls
(should be within tolerable limits)

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 If Existing Risk R2 is
intolerable,
consider what
additional controls need
to be applied

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 Define Additional
Controls and Apply
additional Controls

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 Calculate
Final Risk R3 after
additional controls have
been applied.

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 Risk Assessment

RISK = Probability/Likelihood x
Consequence/Severity
 Risk Assessment
Probability
•Very Likely
•Probable
•Possible
•Remote
•Improbable

Many different rating systems

available. Auditors will need to
read and understand the logic that
the client has adopted
 Risk Assessment

Severity
•Fatal/Death
•Major Injury
•Three Day Injury
•Minor Injury
•Accident/Incident with no
injury
 Risk Assessment
Severity
•5 Fatal/Death
•4 Major Injury
•3 Three Day
•2 Minor Injury
•1 Incident with no injury

Many different rating systems available.

Auditors will need to read and
understand the logic that the client has
adopted
 Risk Assessment

Once the probability and

severity have been
established we need to
calculate the RISK.

Risk = Probability x Severity

 Risk Assessment

Using a grading system the

risk then needs to be
prioritised by level of risk.
Company policy decides the
risk level that it considers
‘Tolerable’.
 Typical Hazard
identification and
Risk assessment
process methodology
 Step 1
Divide the site into areas/ zones

Purpose

-Less chance to miss any activity/ equipment etc

-Ownership
Example: A textile factory is divided into 4
Zones
Zone 1 Zone 2
Weaving Sheds Yarn and Raw Mat. Store
Bleaching Area Dyeing Area
Finish Goods Store

Zone 3 Zone 4
Office Building Entrance Gate
Stitching Area Roads
Canteen Workshop
Boiler House Laboratory
Waste Storage
 Step 2
Make an inventory of
Locations, Equipments,
Tasks, Materials, for
each Area / Zone.
 Locations
A defined and distinct place within a
site.

e.g. roads, roofs, compressor rooms,

electrical substations, warehouse, packing
room, workshop
Example: Locations in Zone 1 of the
textile factory
1. Weaving Shed 1
2. Weaving Shed 2
3. Bleaching Wash Area
4. Steam Heat Room
5. Supervisor’s Office
6. Bleaching Lab
7. Weaving store
8. Pump Room
9. Worker Washrooms
10. Chemical Store
 Equipment
Any machine, device, vessel, tool, vehicle
used for any:
 Production/ Operation Purpose
 Support Purpose
Example: Equipments in Zone 1 of the
textile factory
1. Looms (L1 to L30)
2. Warping Machine (w-1, w-3)
3. Bleaching Vessel (v-36)
4. Drain Vessel (x-45)
5. Steam Drum
6. Dryer (D-1, D-6)
7. Raw water pumps (P-7, P-11)
8. Portable mixer (m-1)
9. Air Compressor (C-7)
10. Steam piping (Bleaching area)
11. Mechanical Trolley
12. Hand Trolley
13. Pneumatic Wrench
14. Chain Block
15. Stitching Machine (S-57, S-58)
 Common Task
Any task which is undertaken by many
people, often in various locations, and
where the hazards, risks, controls and
defences are always the same.
* Generally hazards of these tasks are assessed
once, unless location does not pose any
additional hazards/risks.
 Specific Task
Any task where the hazards, risks, controls
and defences are specific to an individual task
because of the:
 Nature of the task itself
 Location
 Equipment
*They are often complex tasks, potentially Dangerous, Difficult
or Dirty (3 D’s).
Example: Tasks in Zone 1 of the textile
factory
1. Weaving of Fabric
2. Cleaning of looms
3. Warping of yarn
4. Charging of cloth in Bleaching Vessel
5. Cleaning of bleaching vessel
6. Transfer of weaved cloth for bleaching
7. Maintenance of looms
8. Chemical Preparation for Bleaching
9. Storage of bleaching chemicals
10. Inspection of weaved Fabric
11. Cleaning of weaving shed
12. Cleaning of bleaching area
13. Quality Inspection of Weaved, Bleached Fabric
 3
The Job Hazard Analysis

• Break a job or task into specific steps.

• Analyze each step for specific hazardous
conditions and unsafe practices.
• Develop preventive measures in each step to
eliminate or reduce the hazards.
• Integrate preventive measures into training
and standard operating procedures (SOP’s).
Example: Hazards of Task Internal cleaning of
chemical tank –top manhole entry
STEP HAZARD
1. Set up equipment - tripping hazard (hoses, cord,
equipment)
-- Electrical (cleaning
equipment)
2. Install Ladder in tank Ladder slipping
3. Place equipment at Fall from the top
tank entry position
4. Enter tank - Chemical hazard (exposure
to hazardous corrosive
atmosphere)
-- Fall from ladder
Example: Hazards of Task Internal cleaning of
chemical tank –top manhole entry

STEP HAZARD
5. Cleaning of tank - Chemical hazard (exposure to
hazardous corrosive
atmosphere)
- Noise (water jet)
-- Heat (hot water cleaning)
- Confined Space
6. Exit from tank - Fall from ladder
 Likelihood
• Very High 5
• High 4
• Medium 3
• Low 2
• Very Low 1
 Severity
• Very High 5
• High 4
• Medium 3
• Low 2
• Very Low 1
Example: Base Risk of Task Internal cleaning of
chemical tank –top manhole entry
1-5 are considered LOW RISK, 6-14 are considered MEDIUM RISK, 15-25 are
considered High RISK

Step Hazard Risk

L S R1
1. Set up equipment - tripping hazard (hoses,
cord, equipment) 3 3 9
-- Electrical (cleaning
equipment) 3 3 9
2. Install Ladder in tank Ladder slipping
3 2 6

3. Placement of equipment Fall from the top

at tank entry position 3 4 12

L= Likelihood S= Severity R1= Base Risk