Train When it Rains: Risk Assessment

What is Risk Assessment? Risk assessment is the process of recognizing possible harm from exposures which could be dangerous to people, property and the environment, analyzing what risk can be possessed from a hazard, and how to control or eliminate the hazard.

Objective The objective of this module is to train employees to: identify and analyze hazards determine how to eliminate or reduce the hazard Create a work environment with an acceptable level of risk Evaluate and document changes made

Why Risk Assessment When implementing Risk assessment techniques reductions in the following will occur: Injuries Illness Property and environmental damages Lost time and claims Insurance premiums

Key Terms Hazard: any source of potential damage or harm Risk: likelihood that a hazard will be experienced Frequency: the rate of occurrence Severity: impact of incident/accident

6 Steps of Risk Assessment 1.Set limits of the Assessment 2.Identify Hazards 3.Assess Initial Risk 4.Reduce Risk 5.Assess Residual Risk 6.Evaluation and Documentation

Step 1 Set limits of the Assessment Understand occupational hazards before beginning risk assessment. Questions to ask: What work is being completed? What is the scope of the work? Who is included and affected by the work?

Step 2 Identify Hazard Hazard identification is the process of looking for anything that may cause death, injury, harm, or illness, property damage, or environmental impairment.

Step 2 Identify Hazard Cont. What could go wrong? Consider the following while identifying hazards: ◦Current, future, or historical problems ◦Tools, Equipment, Materials used ◦Job Performance

Source: What hazards are present?

Fall Protection? Scaffolding? Additional PPE? Source:

Step 3 Assess Initial Risk Evaluate the risk of a hazard that could potentially lead to: Injury Illness Death Property damage Environmental harm

How to use a Risk Matrix 1.Identify the severity of hazard if activated ◦Ranging from Negligible to Catastrophic 2.Evaluate the likelihood of the incident/accident occurring ◦Ranging from Improbable to Frequent 3.Multiple the two values and compare to accompanying key

ments/Process-Improvement/Risk- Management-2.aspx Risk Matrix

Step 3 Determine Risk Control & Risk Reduction Techniques OBJECTIVE- MINIMIZE SEVERITY OF A HAZARD

Risk Control Examples Eliminating hazards Install guarding on tools and machinery Relocate work to a less hazardous environment Wearing additional PPE

Step 4 Selecting Proper Techniques Pick Proper tools to measure Hazard Risk Use Risk Reduction to reduce risk YOU DON’T USE A HAMMER WITH SCREWS

Step 5 Assess Residual Risk Everything has its limit: Acceptable Risk Recalculate risk with the risk level matrix Management must avoid spending too much time on one hazard Money and time is an important factor!!!

Step 6 Evaluation and Documentation Investigative findings may lead to new policy Periodic evaluation is required An organization needs to know that procedures are up-to-date

In conclusion… It is key to identify and analyze risks occurring on your job site Make changes that reduce the likelihood of an incident/accident Evaluate the changes made and document the entire process Zero Risk is unattainable so levels of acceptable risk must be determined