Sample Hazard Recognition, Risk Assessment and Control Activities Policy

Sample Hazard Recognition, Risk Assessment and Control Activities Policy

1.  Purpose

·  To implement a standard for the ongoing identification of workplace hazards at the Name of organization.

·  To evaluate the degree of risk and exposure to the identified hazards. The risk is evaluated by a team based on the probability of exposure and severity of that harm. The Risk Rating is determined based on this evaluation.

·  To establish and implement preventive measures and controls to address the high risks hazards identified.

2.  Scope

·  To recognize hazards and implement preventive measures and controls before they cause harm and damage. Hazard recognition, risk assessment and control activities are effective processes that help reducing the accidents and incidents at Name of organization.

3.  Policy

A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm to people, damage to property, environment or loss to process. Hazards are divided into the following categories:

·  Physical, Chemical, Biological, Psychosocial (workplace stressors), Environmental, Mechanical /Electrical/ Machine, MSD/Ergonomic and Work Practice hazards.

It is the responsibility of name of person responsible to assign a team that selects the applicable activities/ jobs for the hazard analysis. Criteria for selection may include but is not limited to: main activities at the workplace, jobs with high accident/incidents and injury rates, near misses, new jobs, jobs with procedure or process changes, etc.

The hazard analysis team is directed by a qualified person and could include trained workers, supervisors, members of the JHSC, H&S coordinators, etc.

Hazard analysis focuses on the correlation between the worker, the task, the tools and the work environment. Hazards are identified based on observations of the job, consultation/ input from the workers who do the job being analyzed, review of accident/ incident reports, review of hazard reports, inspections, investigations, JHSC recommendations, review of the legislation requirements, standards, MSDS and review of any other information that might be of value.

The team will:

·  Documents the hazards for each main activity or job on the RACR Tool/Hazard Risk Registry.

·  Determines the degree of risk and exposure to the identified hazards, during typical work conditions.

o  For each hazard consider the:

1.  Probability - How likely is it that the event or situation will occur? and

2.  Severity – What is the consequence of the hazardous event or situation?

·  Rate the risk using the Risk Assessment Scale and Matrix.

·  Determine which hazards have potential for high injury consequences.

·  Prioritize the hazards.

Any identified hazard(s) ranked as “High” represent an imminent danger or threat to life, property or environment. Therefore must be dealt with immediately. Implement preventive measures and/ or controls to minimize the risk.

References

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety 2009 (based on Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems - Guide: British Standard, BS 8800, BSI 2004; and Managing Safety the Systems Way: Implementing OHSAS 18001 using BS 8800, BSI 2004)

The University of Western Australia, Safety Risk Management Procedures.

St. Michael’s Hospital- Enterprise Risk Management Framework

Samuel Safety Systems