Steps of Health and Safety Risk Assessment

RA Step-1: Hazard Identification/ Hazard Detection

Inspections of the workplace (By observation during Site visit/ Walk around /Survey). –
Personal Observations ( e.g. warning labels or signs), Behavioural aspects ( i.e. horseplay)
Task analysis: Analyses job components before the job starts.
Legislation: Standards, guidance documents. (WAH 2013)
Manufacturers’ information: Safe use instruction manual , maintenance manual, cleaning procedures , MSDS.
Incident data: Accidents reports , near-misses, ill health records. (Previous records)
The Safety and Health committee reports,
Workers feedback / Inputs/ Workers’ complaints
Other Failure Tracing Techniques( i.e. HAZOP, ETA, FTA)

Task Analysis- SREDIM

SREDIM is a method of task analysis. It is an acronym derived from the words select, record, examine, develop, install/implement and maintain. This method's analysis system can be used to analyse any process to determine parts of the process which are inefficient, or can be improved.

Task analysis is used to analyse all aspects of a task(including safety)

Select the task.

Record the stages of the task.

Evaluate risks associated with each stage.

Develop the safe working method.

Implement the safe working method.

Monitor to ensure effectiveness.

The result of Task analysis can be used to correct existing problems and to improve the “Safe Working Methods, Working instruction, worker protection, Safety rules, emergency procedures, serviceability of Machine & Plant”.

Guidance and Legal Standards for Risk Assessment

Sometimes, there are very clear regulations and codes of practice to be met.

International standards.
National legislation.
Industry standards.
Guidance from regulators.

RA Step 2: Define/ Identify the People at Risk

Workers/operators. (Machine Operators , Scaffolders, Painters, Height Workers, Fabricators, Fitters, Welders, Riggers etc.)
Maintenance staff, Electrician , technician
Cleaners,
Vulnerable groups -Young workers,
Vulnerable groups - Disabled people ( impaired hearing, vision impaired etc., )
Vulnerable groups - Lone workers,
Vulnerable groups - New and Expectant mothers (Pregnant Worker,
Vulnerable groups - Gig economy worker(Independent worker),
Vulnerable groups - Older workers,
Vulnerable groups - Migrant workers,
Vulnerable groups - Agency workers
Vulnerable groups - Temporary workers
Vulnerable groups - Home Workers (Domestic Servants)
Vulnerable groups - New to Job workers,
Vulnerable groups - Apprentices ( e.g. Young Apprentices) (age less than 18 years)
Vulnerable groups - Pregnant workers
Members of the public - Neighbourhood
Members of the public - Adjacent businesses
Members of the public - Trespassers
Members of the public - Nearby schools
Members of the public - Residential houses
Visitors - Customers
Visitors – Vendors (e.g. Local Vendors)
Visitors- Suppliers
Self Employed workers
Volunteers
Office holders
Casual Workers
Labour –only Subcontractors
Contractors and its workers (e.g. Sub contractors etc.)

RA Step 3: Evaluate the Risk

Risk evaluation aims to identify the likelihood of harm that will result from a hazard and its severity.

What is risk?

It is a measure of the likelihood of harm occurring and the severity of that harm.

Risk = Likelihood × Severity(LS)

Various Types of Risk Assessments:

General Risk Assessment
Specific Risk Assessment
Generic Risk Assessment
Dynamic Risk Assessment
Sensible Risk Assessment
Last Minute Risk Assessment/Analysis (LMRA)
Task Risk Assessment (TRA)
Qualitative Risk Assessment
Quantitative Risk Assessment
Semi-quantative Risk Assessment

The risk evaluation can be:

Qualitative approach (based on opinion) : depends upon the analysis , simply we predict hazard to be low, medium, and high on basis of experiences.
Semi-Quantitative approach: Semi-quantitative risk assessment provides an intermediary level between the textual evaluation of qualitative risk assessment and the numerical evaluation of quantitative risk assessment
Quantitative approach – numerical calculation of risk on a graph and taking of some additional controls. Uses words and numbers to describe likelihood and severity.

Generic Risk Assessments :

Generic risk assessments assess the hazards and risks involved in work tasks and activities as regular Risk Assessment Process.
It can be used in different locations and by different companies for activities that are the same/similar, so they’re often used as risk-assessment templates.
This allows you to reduce duplication in your risk-management processes.
However, when using a generic risk assessment, it’s important to note that every workplace and activity will be slightly different, and any differences can affect the accuracy and relevancy of these risk assessments.
Generic Risk Assessment also need to review them and adjust or update them accordingly.

Example: They are completed for a general activity, for example, roofing, but not for the specific roof you are about to work on.

Site-Specific Risk Assessments :

These are the most important types of risk assessments, as they’re carried out for a specific activity in a specific location. This means they’re completely relevant and should be effective at eliminating or controlling risks and keeping people safe. Think of these risk assessments like taking a deep dive into the health and safety of different activities and work sites.
These assessments may be completed after carrying out generic risk assessments to gain a better understanding of hazards and risk-control methods in the workplace.
You’re legally required to take reasonable steps to mitigate risks and protect people from harm. Site-specific risk assessments can help you plan and implement control measures proportionate to the level of risk.
As the most thorough method of risk assessment, they can help you keep your workforce and members of the public safe and protect your business from the legal liability and reputational damage that comes with health and safety breaches.
Example : Work at Height
Welding
Excavation
Electrical maintenance work

Dynamic Risk Assessments

Dynamic risk assessments are carried out on the spot, during unforeseen circumstances.

If there are sudden, significant changes to the health and safety of the workplace or work activities, previous written risk assessments may not be applicable.

Risks may need to be considered on the spot to assess whether it’s safe for work to continue.

One thing all of the risk assessments above have in common is that they should be completed following the five steps to risk assessments process.

Last Minute Risk Analysis :

A Last Minute Risk Analysis is a short and final assessment of the workplace, filled out by workers.

Often a LMRA is a short checklist that has a few common subjects; safety, health and environment.

The purpose of a LMRA is to create awareness and exclude potential risks.

5 reasons why a LMRA is necessary:

Identify and reduce any risks of an incident at the workplace
The working situation may have changed before the work has started, possibly creating new dangerous situations.
Make workers more aware about their safety while working at height
(Partly) exclude the risk of bad habits and a better assess of fall hazards.
Confront and control any possible risk: If a risk is reported, measures need to be taken to create a safe environment for the workers.

General Principles for Prevention (ILO-OSH Section 3.10.1):

3.10. Hazard prevention -3.10.1. Prevention and control measures

3.10.1.1. Hazards and risks to workers' H&S should be identified and assessed on an ongoing basis. Preventive and protective measures should be implemented in the following order of priority:

(a) eliminate the hazard/risk;

(b) control the hazard/risk at source, through the use of engineering controls or organizational measures;

(d) where residual hazards/risks cannot be controlled by collective measures, the employer should provide for appropriate PPEs, including clothing, at no cost, and should implement measures to ensure its use and maintenance.

3.10.1.2. Hazard prevention and control procedures or arrangements should be established and should:

(a) be adapted to the hazards and risks encountered by the organization;

(b) be reviewed and modified if necessary on a regular basis;

(d) consider the current state of knowledge, including information or reports from organizations, such as labour inspectorates, occupational H&S services, and other services as appropriate.

General Principles for Prevention

(R4- SCHEDULE 1 of MHSWR 1999 )

(This Schedule specifies the general principles of prevention set out in Article 6(2) ofCouncil Directive 89/391/EEC)(1)

(a)avoiding risks;

(b)evaluating the risks which cannot be avoided;

(c)combating the risks at source;

(d)adapting the work to the individual, especially as regards the design of workplaces, the choice of work equipment and the choice of working and production methods, with a view, in particular, to alleviating monotonous work and work at a predetermined work-rate and to reducing their effect on health;

(e)adapting to technical progress;

(f)replacing the dangerous by the non-dangerous or the less dangerous;

(g)developing a coherent overall prevention policy which covers technology, organisation of work, working conditions, social relationships and the influence of factors relating to the working environment;

(h)giving collective protective measures priority over individual protective measures; and

(i)giving appropriate instructions to employees.

Hierarchy of Risk Control

( To reduce the OH&S Risk)

( As per clause 8.1.2 of ISO 45001)

1. Elimination of Hazard

2. Substitution with less hazardous processes, operations, materials or equipment;

3 Engineering controls and reorganization of work;

Isolation, total enclosure.
Separation, segregation.
Partial enclosure.
Safety devices.

4. Administrative controls (Administrative measures):

Implement to Safe systems of work, PTW
Reduced time of exposure, dose.
Information, instruction, training and supervision, Signages

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

RA Step 4:Record Significant Findings

Typical content: What should be recorded?

Identification of activity/area assessed and hazards.
Identification of Groups at risk. ( Who might be affected?)
Evaluation of risks and adequacy of existing control measures. (Considered significant Hazards and appropriate control measure considered or not)
Action plans for implementation & further precautions needed. (Precautions are reasonable and remaining risk is low)
Date of assessment & name of competent person/assessor.
Review date. (Review conditions)

Why should do the record the findings of risk assessments?

Legal Requirement etc., To find out adequate control measure implement, Document proof , help in Investigation etc.

RA Step 5: Review and update as necessary