Hazard Identification Techniques - Overview PDF

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HAZARD IDENTIFICATION TECHNIQUES B BSc in OCCUPATI ONAL HEALTH & SAFETY GER RARD M M. GAF F NE EY OCTOBER 2014

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION TECHNIQUES

As discussed earlier, the risk from a hazard is the likelihood it will cause harm in the actual circumstances in which it will exist. The prime objective in Hazard Identification is to be able to establish a Control over the hazards to enable the hazards to be: Eliminated Reduced Essentially, the technique of Risk Management wrt Hazards, requires: Identification Assessment Control (elimination or reduction) Within the workplace, operational management at all levels has a responsibility to identify, evaluate and control the potential from hazards (risks) that are likely to result in injury, damage, i.e., loss.

Part of these responsibilities should involve implementation of a regular programme of safety inspections of the workplace under their control. These inspections should include physical examinations of the workplace, i.e. the nuts & bolts, and also the systems, procedures and work methods, i.e., the organisational aspects.

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GERARD M.GAFFNEY OCTOBER 2014

Within an organisation, there are several ways by which risks may be identified. Name some. Workplace Inspections Management / Worker discussions Independent Audits Job Safety Analysis Hazard & Operability Studies (HAZOPS) Accident Statistics WORKPLACE INSPECTIONS Workplace Inspections are undertaken with the aim of indentifying risks and promoting remedial action. Many different individuals and groups within an organisation will / can at some time be involved in workplace inspections. Managing directors, senior managers, line managers, line supervisors, TU safety representatives, shop floor employees and ? The key aim is to identify hazards (both potential and real), collate the results and ensure appropriate remedial action is identified, recorded and allocated against the correct person (ownership) who can take the action forward for completion. A suitable monitoring system should be in place to ensure that actions placed are completed within the timescales allocated (agreed). One group should be responsible for the co-ordination of the workplace inspections. The key to a successful workplace inspection programme is for everyone within the organisation to ‘buy into it. ’ The vast majority of workplace inspections concentrate on the ‘ safe place’ approach, i.e., the identification of unsafe conditions to the detriment of the ‘ safe person’ approach, i.e., the identification of the unsafe acts. Heinrich states that only? % of accidents are caused by unsafe mechanical and physical conditions, whereas? % of accidents are caused by the unsafe acts of persons. The remaining? % are classed as unpreventable or Acts of God!

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GERARD M.GAFFNEY OCTOBER 2014

Hence for the workplace inspection to be beneficial in terms of risk identification (and subsequently loss control / loss prevention), emphasis must be placed on the positive safe person approach, using techniques such as: Safe visiting - talking to people Catching people doing something right (not wrong!). Positive behavioural reinforcement One to one training / counselling sessions. As well as the more traditional safe place approach which tends to be more negative as it evokes fault finding and blame apportionment at all levels within an organisation, i.e., catching people doing something wrong and penalising them for it. What other types of Inspections would you expect to find in the Workplace? Inspections which are driven by a Statutory requirement. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998 In house or independent staff carrying out statutory examination of lifting tackle, Cranes, FLT, s, MEWP etc Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 In house or independent (insurance company) staff undertaking statutory examinations of boilers and other types of pressure systems. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 Inspections of work equipment carried out under PUWER Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 Inspections of LEVS. Statutory Inspections To be carried out by Competent Person. Examination / Inspection Report always asks the same question irregardless of format - were there any defects found during the examination / inspection? Employers Liability Surveyors carrying out general health and safety inspections in connection with employers liability insurance.

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Claims Investigators insurance company staff investigating either accidents in connection with injury or damage claims under insurance policies. Insurance Broker Personnel risk management or technical consultants undertaking inspections in connection with health and safety, fire or engineering insurance as part of client servicing. Outside Consultants noise or environmental surveys (fee based) Health and Safety Executive SEPA Inspectors undertaking general surveys or specific accident investigations. Internal safety staff undertaking general safety inspections, accident investigations (assisted by TU representatives). Workplace Inspections tend to follow the same format but are given the many different names including: Safety Sampling Safety Inspections Hazard surveys But they all have the same aim: Risk Identification

MANAGEMENT / WORKER DISCUSSIONS Management / worker discussions are an extremely useful tool in the identification of risks. How? Formal discussions can take place at meetings of the safety committee.

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Informal discussions can take place during on the job contact or in any other supervisor / worker contact.

INDEPENDENT AUDITS A Safety Audit has been defined by the Chemical Industries Association as: A systematic, critical examination of each area of the company’s activity with the object of minimising loss. It aims to disclose the strengths and weaknesses and the main areas of vulnerability of risk, and is carried out by appropriately qualified personnel including safety professionals. Every component of the company system is included in the study such as: Management Policy, attitudes, training, operating and maintenance procedures, emergency procedures, personnel protection, accident statistics etc.

Can you name some Safety Audits systems?

HAZOPS

See handouts

References: Ridley J. & Channing J. Risk Management HSE Books: ‘ Quantified Risk Assessment: Its input to decision making’. HSE Books: ‘ Reducing Risks – Protecting People’. AND FINALLY

Thank You!

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