OHS RISK MANAGEMENT (Hazard identification, risk assessment, risk control & control review) University of Newcastle ENGINEERING STUDENTS September 30, 2003

Doug Wakefield MSIA workcover.nsw.gov.au safemeasure.com.au SafetyPlus Risk Management Services

Civilisation I The Law: Empowers ALL parties to recognise what is acceptable & what is unacceptable in society

Civilisation II The Law: Defines what is ‘in-bounds’ & what is ‘out-of-bounds’

Playin’ de Game...

How it all fits together: OHS Act 2000 OHS Regulation 2001 Codes of Practice Australian and National Standards Injury Mgt Act

RISK MANAGEMENT zIntegral part of good management practice zRepeat process consisting of sequential steps zBased upon continual improvement in decision-making

OHS Risk Management – Overview What it’s all about? Identify hazard(s) Assess risk(s) Control risk(s) Re-evaluate New processes New substances New plant New knowledge Changes to legislation

What’s the difference between a Hazard and a Risk? zWhat is a HAZARD? zWhat is a RISK?

A Hazard is... Clause 3 of the OHS Regulation 2001 defines a hazard as: ‘...anything (including work practices or procedures) that has the potential to harm the health or safety of a person.’

A Risk is … ‘...anything (including work practices or procedures) that is likely/probable/may or could harm the health or safety of a person.’

ASSESS IDENTIFY CONTROL HAZARDS Manage your hazards...

Employer to identify hazards Clause 9 of the OHS Regulation 2001 states: “… employers must take reasonable care to identify any foreseeable hazards to: z any employee of the employer z any other person legally at the employer’s place of work.”

What hazards must employer identify? zThe work premises zWork practices, work systems & shift work arrangements zPlant zHazardous substances zThe presence of asbestos zManual handling zLayout/condition of workplace  Biological organisms zPhysical working environment including: yElectrocution yDrowning yFire/explosion yPeople slipping, tripping or falling yContact with moving/ stationary object yNoise, heat, cold, vibration, radiation, electricity, contaminated air, confined space yWorkplace violence

Effective hazard identification procedures must be in place: zImmediately prior to using premises for the first time (as a place of work) zBefore and during installation, erection, commissioning or alterations to plant zBefore changes to work practices and systems of work are introduced zBefore hazardous substances are introduced zWhile work is being carried out zWhen new/additional information is made available from an authoritative source

Methods of Hazard Identification Part 1 - THE SENSES & don’t forget: good, old fashioned INTUITION!

Methods of Hazard Identification Part 2 - THE BRAIN SYSTEMATIC zSafety Audit zWorkplace Inspection zInjury & Illness Records zConsultation zIncident Management zHealth/Environmental Monitoring INCIDENTAL zComplaints zObservation

Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) zPrepared by employer in consultation with employee  Basic SWMS: ACTIVITYCONTROLHAZARD I/D & ASSESS Additional points Responsibilities Training & Certification Legislation WorkCover approvals Maintenance checks Signed off by all

Employer to assess risks Clause 10 of OHS Regulation 2001 states: “… employers must assess the risk of harm to: zany employee of the employer zany other person legally at the employer’s place of work

Risk Assessment Factors zMultiple Factor Hazards zLikelihood (exposure) zConsequences (severity) zHuman Differences

OUTCOME LIKELIHOOD FREQUENCY ASSESS Consider the risk...

Risk Assessment Tool (Hazpak Matrix) WORKCOVER HAZPAK MATRIX HOW LIKELY IS IT TO HAPPEN? HOW BAD IS IT LIKELY TO BE? Very likely: could happen at any time ++ Likely: could happen some time + Unlikely: could happen, but very rarely - Very unlikely: could happen, but probably never will -- Kill or cause permanent disability or ill health  Long term illness or serious injury  Medical attention and several days off work  First aid needed 

Employer to eliminate or control risks Clause 11 of the OHS Regulation 2001 states: z employers must eliminate any reasonably foreseeable risk to the health or safety of: yany employee of the employer yany other person legally at the employer’s place of work zIf it is not reasonably practicable to ELIMINATE the risk, the employer MUST control the risk

Hierarchy of Hazard Control 1: Elimination 2: Substitution 3: Isolation/Ventilate 4: Mitigation 5: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ENGINEERING CONTROLS ADMIN. CONTROLS

Employer must ensure … … all measures (including procedures & equipment) that are adopted to eliminate or control risks to health & safety are PROPERLY USED & MAINTAINED

Employer must review risk assessments & control measures... … whenever: zthere is evidence that the risk assessment is no longer valid zinjury or illness results from exposure to a hazard to which the risk assessment relates za significant change is proposed in the place of work or work practices to which the risk assessment relates

“The absence of accidents does not imply the presence of safety...” “Safe workplaces don’t just happen… someone works to make them that way…” Safety...