Risk Analysis
Risk analysis is about identifying potential hazards in the workplace in order to control the risk. It is fundamental to a good hazard management system.
Identify
When new machinery is introduced or equipment is changed, it is important to do a risk analysis of the tasks involved in using the machinery. To help identify hazards and injury factors you can use:
- industry hazard information
- planned inspections, when you investigate equipment and systems, interview employees, and inspect records and procedures
- checklists for processes and systems to evaluate equipment and materials
- task analysis, where you examine the tasks involved in a job by breaking down each task to identify hazards at different stages of the process
- staff observation and feedback, where you use the expertise of staff to identify hazards
- brainstorming, where staff focus on considering possible incidents that may create hazards
- accident reporting and investigation, where you determine the cause and prioritise the significance of hazards
- data analysis, where major trends are identified
- codes of practice
- specialist reports
- complaints and environmental monitoring reports
- 'what if' analyses, that involve asking questions about the design, construction, and operation of equipment, processes, and systems so as to determine the causes and effects of possible incidents.
Regular hazard audits and physical inspections need to be done. These require a complete physical inspection of the work area and a review of notes from previous inspections. They need to look beyond the physical hazards that appear obvious. Someone new or from another department may be able to look with fresh eyes and identify familiar hazards that may not be identified because they are taken for granted. If checklists are used, they need to be designed so that the full range of injury factors (culture, systems, and task) is reviewed.
Staff need to check that equipment, machinery, and safety equipment is used according to the manufacturers' instructions and kept well maintained.
Assess
Once risks have been identified, the impact on the business needs to be assessed. Prioritise hazards by:
- the seriousness and likelihood of harm, and the expected frequency of exposure to the hazard
- the cost of any actual or potential injuries
- compliance with any legislation.
Improve performance
Hazard management can be improved by developing and implementing actions that control hazards and injuries. It is testing action responses (such as the eliminate, isolate and minimise response to hazards) and implementing, evaluating and monitoring the effectiveness of hazard action plans.
Measure the effectiveness of actions
The effectiveness of actions can be measured by monitoring performance improvements, comparing progress, and assessing cost reductions.
Training and information
All employees need to be told about their own and their employer's responsibilities for ensuring health and safety in the workplace. They need to have specific knowledge of the hazards that they may be exposed to in procedures, environment, equipment, or materials.
Staff need to be trained in what is required of them to control hazards, the correct use of personal protective equipment, the reporting of injuries or near-hits, and emergency procedures.
Managers need to identify training needs, keep training up-to-date, and supervise on-site training. They need to make information available and keep documents up to date.
Sample Risk Analysis Form
