in Australian Workplaces

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1 Copyright OnGuard Safety Training Pty Ltd 1 of 7 in Australian Workplaces Introduction Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 SafeWork SA Introduction Hazard identification is the process used to identify all the possible situations in the workplace where people may be exposed to injury, illness or disease. Hazard identification is the first step in the risk management process. To ensure accuracy and completeness, the process of hazard identification should be carried out as a dedicated task and not in conjunction with part of other tasks. Only people with a through knowledge of the area, process or machine under review should carry out a hazard identification survey. The parameters of the machine, process or location under examination should be clearly defined and documented. Why is Hazard Identification Important? Employers have moral and legal obligations to provide and maintain a safe and healthy workplace. To effectively manage health and safely in a workplace and discharge the moral and legal obligation, it is imperative for employers to follow a risk management process that includes: identify any potentially hazardous situations (which may cause injury, illness or disease) around the school on an ongoing basis before they occur assess the likelihood of each of the hazardous situations identify and effectively implement appropriate measures to prevent their occurrence continually review the measures to ensure their effectiveness Hazard identification involves the systematic investigation of all potential hazard sources and the recording of hazards identified. In simple terms, it means identifying all of the possible ways in which people may be harmed through work-related activities. A co-ordinated, systematic approach to the process is required given that many workplaces have a range of plant, chemicals and potentially hazardous work processes. The task of identifying hazards should be broken up into clear and manageable sections, in a manner which suits the organisation, the task itself, and the people doing the work. Time should then be set aside for the task of compiling the information needed to identify hazards. Once the workplace has been divided logically into work sectors (such as the laboratories or the administration centre) and, if necessary, into zones (such as the photocopying room, the laboratories fume cupboard and the chemical store, a complete inspection of all workplace tasks should be carried out.

2 Copyright OnGuard Safety Training Pty Ltd 2 of 7 This will develop an inventory of all of the tasks conducted throughout the workplace. The person delegated the task of hazard identification should explore the many sources of information available for identifying hazards within the area of their inquiry. There are a number of activities, which can be undertaken as an aid to identifying the hazards present in the workplace. These activities may be conducted simultaneously with other risk management processes such as task inventory development and risk assessment activities. Workplace hazards can be divided into six groups: 1. Physical hazards: eg. noise, dust, electricity, heat and cold 2.Chemical hazards: eg. science chemicals, toners and inks, cleaning agents 3. Ergonomic hazards: eg. furniture design, lighting and equipment design 4. Radiation hazards: eg. electric arc welding processes 5. Psychological hazards: eg. staff stress 6. Biological hazards: eg. viruses from farm animals and air conditioning systems What does the law require? Various Occupational Health and Safety regulations have very specific provisions that require employers to ensure that they are attended to. Some examples of these provisions are: any task undertaken, or to be undertaken, by an employee involving hazardous manual handling is identified; all hazards (potential to cause injury or illness) associated with the installation, commissioning, erection, operation, inspection, maintenance, repair, service and cleaning of plant and associated systems of work are identified; an assessment is made to determine whether there is any risk (likelihood of injury or illness) associated with the identified hazards; an assessment is made to determine whether there is any risk (likelihood of injury, illness or disease) associated with the use of a hazardous substance at the workplace; any risk to employees from exposure to noise is identified; employees' exposure to noise is controlled so as to minimise risk to health and safety; any risk is eliminated, or if that is not practicable, reduced so far as is practicable. Hazard Identification

3 Copyright OnGuard Safety Training Pty Ltd 3 of 7 Hazards in a workplace can arise from a number of sources including: poor workplace design hazardous tasks being performed in the workplace poorly designed plant being introduced into the workplace. incorrect installation, commissioning, use, inspection, maintenance, service, repair or alteration of plant in the workplace. people being exposed to hazardous substance, process or environment The hazard identification process is designed to identify all the possible situations where people may be exposed to injury, illness and disease arising from all sources including the above. Prior to the introduction of any plant, substances, processes or work practices in the workplace, it is essential for the hazard identification process to be carried out to identify whether there is any potential for injury, illness or disease associated with such introduction. Carrying out hazard identification for all existing plant, substances, processes and work practices in a workplace may require some effort. It is a good idea to split the workplace into several areas for the hazard identification process, and to assess one area at a time. Priority should be given to areas with hazardous equipment, plant, substances, processes or environment. Staff and other employees working in these specific areas who have experience of any hazards and should be involved in the hazard identification process. Activities, which will assist in the hazard identification process, include: undertaking a workplace walkthrough analysing available information conducting workplace inspections and/or using checklists Hazard identification does not end with the initial investigation. Hazard identification should be regarded as an ongoing, integral part of workplace operations. In general, the legal requirement is for hazard identification to be undertaken: before and during the introduction of new work systems, plant and chemicals to the workplace before and during alterations or changes to the use or location of work systems, plant and chemicals where new information on hazards or control measures becomes available. Hazard Categories Mechanical hazards including: stabbing points abrasion areas flying particles

4 Copyright OnGuard Safety Training Pty Ltd 4 of 7 any protrusions which could cause injury "drawing in" points shearing point impact and crushing areas cutting areas entanglement areas Non-mechanical hazards including: falling objects high temperatures objects working in very hot or conditions ergonomic hazards including manual handling radiation mist, dust, fumes suffocation biological hazards, viral slipping, tripping and falling hazards electrical shocks and burns chemical burns, toxicity, flammability noise and vibration Checklists should be developed to assist staff who are involved in the hazard identification process. Hazards in the workplace can change from day to day. Sources of Information Previous Accident Reports Any accidents or near misses should be carefully investigated. Sources for this information would include workers compensation records and company accident records. Workplace Inspections A physical examination of the workplace requires an inquiring mind, lateral thinking, and the ability to be and remain open minded. It is of little use to look at a particular area and, in a perfunctory manner, declare it to be hazard free. Brainstorming This is a process of conducting group meetings with people who are familiar with the operation of the area under review, recording all ideas and thoughts relating to possible hazards and then sorting the results into some sort of priority order. Knowledge of Employees Employees should be encouraged to describe any hazards they are aware of. Inquiries of this nature should be conducted in an atmosphere of 'no blame' where even if the employee is not doing things properly they are not criticised for it.

5 Copyright OnGuard Safety Training Pty Ltd 5 of 7 Trade Journals Trade journals are often a source of information regarding hazards encountered by others in the industry. They can be a source of useful inquiry, as members of the same industry would expect to encounter similar hazards. OH&S Publications These publications can be of particular benefit as they concentrate on reporting issues relating to safety and health. Industry Associations Safety and health is often brought up at industry association meetings or during informal discussions before or after meetings. An investigator could gain useful information by promoting safety and health discussion at such meetings. Instruction Manuals Manufacturers instruction manuals often provide advice and warnings regarding safety and health issues. It is important to ensure all instructions are understood and, more importantly, followed by all employees. Maintenance of Records Maintenance of appropriate records will assist to: know what has been done and what more needs to be done demonstrate compliance with obligations under OH&S legislation. \

6 Copyright OnGuard Safety Training Pty Ltd 6 of 7 Documents should be kept which provide information on: when and where hazard identification was carried out a summary of identified hazards whether there is any risk associated with each hazard identified the risk assessment method used what new measures have been identified to control any risk what measures are regarded as not practicable and the reason what are the practicable risk control measures for implementation the person responsible for the implementation of the practicable risk control measures who was involved in the hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control processes SafeWork SA Hunt the Hazards is an online safety game produced by SafeWork SA. It is designed to learn more about common hazards in the: supermarket warehouse kitchen home Play the 'Hunt the Hazards' Game >>> Copyright OnGuard Safety Training Pty Ltd - Australia Latest Revision Date: 07/ 01/ 2011

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