How can you help prevent workplace hazards? You can perform a risk assessment!
A risk assessment is aimed to make sure that everyone in the workplace does not get hurt or become ill. As an employer, you should conduct risk assessments to determine what the risks are in your workplace. As a worker, you can participate in risk assessments, which will help aid you in identifying hazards.
What is a Risk Assessment?
A risk assessment is a process of identifying potential hazards in the workplace, analyzing the likelihood of those hazards occurring, and evaluating the potential severity of their consequences.
This assessment helps employers and employees understand what could cause harm in the workplace and if there are enough precautions in place to mitigate the risk.
5 Steps!
There are 5 simple steps for performing a risk assessment.
Step 1: Identify Hazards
Perform a walk around inspection of the workplace and look for hazards that have the potential to cause harm. Consider physical, health, biological, and ergonomic hazards. During this walk around, also consider the people performing the tasks where hazards have been identified, are some workers at higher risk than others?
Step 2: Assess the Risks
Once the hazards have been identified, determine how likely it is that someone could be harmed and how serious it may be. Some key decision factors include:
- Who might be harmed and how
- What actions are already in place to control the risks
- What further action is needed to control the risks
- Who needs to carry out the action
- And, when is the action needed by
Step 3: Control the Risks
Look at what controls are already in place. Ask yourself questions like, “Can I get rid of the hazard altogether?” and “If I can’t, how can I control the risks to reduce injuries?”
If further controls are needed, consider:
- Redesigning the job
- Replacing materials, machinery, or processes
- Organizing the work to reduce exposures
- Identifying and implementing practical measures needed to work safely
- And, providing safety equipment like personal protective equipment
*Prioritize actions based on the level of risks*
Step 4: Record your Findings
If you have 5 or more employees, you are required to record significant findings including the hazards, who may be harmed and how, and what are you actively doing to control these hazards.
When you record your findings, include any evidence you’ve taken, everyone who can be affected, and the risk level of the hazard(s). Also include measures that are currently in place to control the hazards, if there are any, and any additional measures needed.
Records must also include further action that is needed to be done and the date of when you intend to implement the action(s).
Step 5: Review the Controls
Once safety controls have been implemented, review them to ensure they are working. You may also need to review these controls if they are not or may not be effective, or if there are changes in the workplace that lead to new risks.
Also, review controls if workers report issues such as accidents or near misses.
Your risk assessment record will be updated when changes have been made.
Risk Assessment Matrix
A risk matrix can be used during the risk assessment. This matrix helps define the level of risk by considering the category of likelihood against the category of consequence severity.
The matrix is not required to be used during the assessment, but is a beneficial tool to help simplify the process, increase visibility of risks, and assist management with decision making.
Conclusion
Performing a risk assessment is a crucial process for identifying and managing potential hazards in any environment. By following the five essential steps, you can effectively minimize risks and create a safer environment. Regularly reviewing and updating your risk assessment ensures ongoing protection and preparedness, allowing you to respond to new challenges as they arise.