17+how+to+identify+hazards+requiring+risk+management

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Supplementary

Guidance 17Systematic Risk Management

Conduct Full Risk ManagementHow to identify hazards requiring risk management

BackgroundThe Designing Safer Buildings and Structures guide to Section 28 suggests that where a Standardfits the scope of a hazard then the designer may adopt the control measures without going througha full risk assessment approach. Many hazards encountered may be satisfied with this approach.

Workplaces with complex hazards will require detailed hazard identification to start the designprocess. These workplaces will include manufacturing sites and workplaces with complex systemsof work that have OHS issues. These workplaces will require systematic methods to identifyhazards, to assess the risk, to identify control measures and to evaluate cumulative risk. Generally,consultative techniques and expert advice will be needed to conduct some of this work.

Purpose

To suggest a number of systematic processes for identifying hazards.Method/Discussion

The following tables are intended to stimulate brainstorming but they are not intended to beexhaustive in content. Hazard identification should be comprehensive and identify all hazards withscreening to remove low risk hazards carried out in the assessment phase. Much of the resultinginformation should be passed on to the final workplace users.

Table 1 is a hazard prompt table that is based on the principle of potentially damaging energies. Itassumes that injury or damage occurs as a result of uncontrolled energy interacting with a person.

Damaging Energy Hazard

High forcesBiomechanicalRepetitive movement or sustained postureExplosion

Fire

Toxicity

Incompatible materials

AsphyxiantDust

Chemical

Fumes/Lack of ventilationElectrical energy Electrical wiring and equipment

Fall from height

Slips/trips

Dropped objectsGravitationalStructural collapse

Moving material/equipment

Mobile equipmentMechanicalPhysical trauma

Microbiological Bacteria, viruses or other pathogens

Noise and vibration Noise

High pressurePressure

Low pressure

Revised: July 2006Designing Safer Buildings and Structures guide - Supplementary guidance 17

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ViolencePsychological

Stress

Radiation Radiation

Thermal Heat/ColdTable 2 provides hazard examples, regulatory references and some possible risk controlmeasures.

Hazard Examples Examples of risk controls from

Standards

Fire/Explosion- Refer to the Regulations and Codes of Practice for Hazardous Substances andDangerous Goods Storage and Handling and Explosives Regulations

Explosion Fire or explosion from flammable solids,dusts, liquids or gasesCombustible materials or liquids

Hazardous area rated electricalequipment, controlled ignition sources,bunding, explosion venting.

Fire Escalation of fire, lack of fireprevention/suppression, inadequateemergency egress or assembly points.

Fire resistant materials, reduction ofcombustibles, bulk/local storage areasand bunding, fire walls, area separation

detection and alarms, fire suppressionsystems (e.g. sprinklers), extinguishers.

Chemical- Refer to the Regulations and Codes of Practice for Hazardous Substances and DangerousGoods Storage and Handling.

Toxicity Storage, transport or handling toxicsolids, liquids or gases.

Adequate containment and separationfrom persons, bulk/local storage areasand bunding, ventilation/extraction,detection and alarms.

Incompatible materials Incompatible dangerous goods (e.g.acids/caustics) causing hightemperature or pressure or creatingtoxic by-products.

Separation of incompatible dangerousgoods, bulk/local storage areas andbunding.

Asphyxiant

Asphyxiants such as carbon monoxideor exhaust fumes.Gases that displace oxygen (e.g.nitrogen, carbon dioxide).

Ventilation/extraction, detection andalarms.

Pressure Vessels- Refer to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Plant

High pressure Release of liquids (e.g. large tanks) orgases (tyres, gas cylinders) underpressure from impact, corrosion orvibration.

Reduce pressure, separation andbarriers, pressure rated equipmentpipes, hoses and fittings, pressure reliefdevices.

Low pressure Tank/silo collapse as level ortemperature drops, vacuum.

Reduce pressure differential, pressurerating on vessels, pressure reliefdevices.

Plant/Equipment- Refer to the Regulations and Code of Practice for PlantMovingmaterial/equipment

In-running nips, entanglement,shearing, striking, etc.

Separation/guarding.

Mobile equipment Forklifts, cranes, vehicles, deliveries. Separation of people and mobileequipment, barriers.

Cuts Sharp edges, broken glass. Reduce or protect sharp edges. Usetoughened glass.

Electrical

Electrical wiring andequipment

Overhead cables near roadways,underground cables, switch rooms,electrical equipment, switch boxes.

Locate roads/access away fromoverhead cables, fencing, signs andrestricted access.

Physical Environment- Asbestos, Hazardous Substances, Manual Handling, and Noise Regulations.

Confined Spaces, First Aid in the Workplace, Hazardous Substances, Manual Handling, Plant, andWorkplaces Codes of Practice.


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Noise Noisy equipment, lack of attenuation. Reduction of noise at source, isolation,attenuating materials, separation ofequipment from persons.

Heat/Cold Cool rooms, draughts from ventilationsystems.Furnaces, heaters, sun.

Air conditioning, ventilation, fans.Insulation, heat guards, separationdistances from workers, shadestructures.

Radiation Sun/UV light, electromagnetic, ionising,

infra-red, lasers.

Shade structures, UV protective glass,

separate radiation emitting devicesfrom persons by separation andprotective structures.

Dust Dust generated by equipment orstorage and handling of material.

Separation, ventilation.

Fumes/lack ofventilation Location of air conditioning intake,engine exhaust, process by-products,

burners.

Separation, ventilation.

Inclement weather Slippery surfaces, flooding, wind,lightning.

Surface materials, drainage, designloadings for wind, lightning conduction.

Manual Handling- Refer to the Code of Practice for Manual Handling

High forces Lifting, pushing, pulling, holding,throwing and carrying.

Mechanical aids, ergonomic design.

Repetitive movementor sustained posture Packing, typing, assembling, cleaningand sorting, using hand tools and

operating equipment.

Mechanical aids, ergonomic design.

Environment See Environment hazards above (e.g.climatic conditions may increase risk ofinjury).

Microbiological

Bacteria, viruses orother pathogens

Legionella, blood products, waste. Dry air conditioning. Isolation of areas.

Psychosocial- Refer to the prevention of bullying and violence at work guidance note

Violence Violent customers, illegal activities (e.g.robberies), access at night.

Barriers, separation from potentially

violent customers, distress alarms,lighting, reduction of staff isolation.Stress

Working at height- Refer to the Code of Practice for prevention of fallsFall from height Unprotected edges, inadequate height

access, ladders.Allow work to be done at ground level,platforms, stairs, guard railing, heightaccess equipment.

Slips/trips Change in levels, steps, slippery floorsurface, poor lighting.

Appropriate ramps/steps, adequatelighting, surface finish/texture.

Dropped objects Elevated work platforms, work nearunprotected edges.

Toe guards, barriers.

Structural collapse Inadequate strength, fatigue. Appropriate design limits.

OtherThis table is provided as a guide, it is not intended as a complete listing of all potential hazards. Anyhazards not considered in the table should also be considered if relevant to the building or structureworkplaces being designed.

Outputs

An understanding of the complexity of the OHS issues and to be able to plan what expertise andresources are available.

Linkage

Acts, Regulations, Codes: http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/vwa/home.nsf/pages/worksafe_home#legal

Hazard identification:http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/vwa/alerts.nsf/docsbyUNID/F9933C3F016D9133CA256FDC008037CF?Open
http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/vwa/home.nsf/pages/worksafe_home#legalhttp://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/vwa/alerts.nsf/docsbyUNID/F9933C3F016D9133CA256FDC008037CF?Openhttp://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/vwa/alerts.nsf/docsbyUNID/F9933C3F016D9133CA256FDC008037CF?Openhttp://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/vwa/home.nsf/pages/worksafe_home#legal


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Hazard and risk identification: http://www.wsrm.com.au/hazard_&_risk_assessments.htm

Categorising risk: http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=categorising+risk+difficulty&btnG=Search&meta=

Major Hazard Facilities Regulations Guidance Note GN 13 Hazard Identification:

http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/vwa/home.nsf/pages/so_majhaz_guidance/$File/GN13.pdf
http://www.wsrm.com.au/hazard_&_risk_assessments.htmhttp://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=categorising+risk+difficulty&btnG=Search&metahttp://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/vwa/home.nsf/pages/so_majhaz_guidance/$File/GN13.pdfhttp://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/vwa/home.nsf/pages/so_majhaz_guidance/$File/GN13.pdfhttp://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=categorising+risk+difficulty&btnG=Search&metahttp://www.wsrm.com.au/hazard_&_risk_assessments.htm

17+how+to+identify+hazards+requiring+risk+management

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