Solo Activity 3: Hazard Identification

Hazard identification

Types of hazards

A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm or injury to a person or damage to plant or property. Hazards can result from:

· the work environment

· the use of machinery and substances

· poor work design

· inappropriate systems and procedures.

Common types of workplace hazards can be categorised as follows:

· physical (noise, lighting, temperature)

· chemical (poisons, dusts, vapours, fumes, hazardous substances)

· biological (viruses, plants, parasites, blood, other body fluids)

· mechanical (slips, trips and falls, manual handling, plant and equipment)

· electrical (shock, ignition, plant and equipment)

· psychological (stress, repetitive work, shift work, violence/aggression).

Other hazards that are more specific to the event environment may include:

· temporary structures (construction, stability, crowd capacity, collapse)

· dangerous or flammable materials (projectiles, fireworks, vehicles, exhaust fumes, open fires, gas cylinders)

· movement of heavy equipment (uneven sites, vicinity of other personnel, scheduling)

· spectators (public access, egress, behaviour)

· weather (rain, hail, wind, heat, thunderstorms).

Hazard identification methods

Using a range of hazard identification methods and strategies increases your ability to accurately identify all potential hazards within an event environment or other work place.

The hazard identification step of the risk management process must be carried out in a timely manner which may be on a predetermined basis such as monthly, quarterly or annually. For events, hazard identification must occur at all phases of an event including venue handover, bump-in, and bump-out as well as during the event.

These methods provide a benchmark by which hazards are able to be identified and are used in conjunction with observing the work environment and work activities undertaken in that environment. These types of benchmark strategies and tools are located within OHS standards, codes of practice and guidelines relevant to your industry, workplace and work activities from commonwealth, state and territory OHS agencies.

Identification strategy / When and how used / Tools
Workplace inspection / Routine basis: daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly.
Visual checking and discussion with work colleagues by the manager and an employee / Checklist outlining all areas to be inspected within the workplace/site
(sample below)
Job safety analysis / General observation of work practices during the course of the work or pre- arranged and conducted by Area Supervisors and work colleagues
Each stage of the work practice is recorded and hazards and control measures identified within each stage. This ensures that the job is carried out in the safest manner possible. / Job analysis work statement to record the major steps in a job process, corresponding hazards within each step and control measures for each step.
(sample below)
Plant and equipment safety check / These are pre-operational checks conducted by the person using the plant or equipment. / Checklist, eg amusement equipment checklist, vehicle checklists, electrical equipment checklists
Manual handling checks / Completed by the Area Manager/Supervisor and employees on tasks that contain manual handling. These checks are conducted on a scheduled basis; at least once per year is recommended. / Checklist to itemise manual handling movements
Review of workplace injury and illness / This is conducted by the Area Manager and the members of the organisations OHS consultation committee/representatives or management in general. / Accident reports, sick leave forms and Injury/illness register to record all details of injuries and illnesses that occur in the workplace
Investigation of incidents/accidents / An investigation is conducted by the area supervisor and another work colleague after an incident has occurred. / Accident reports, investigation documents to record all information pertaining to the incident/accident
Complaints/notification of hazards from employee, volunteers etc / These can occur at any time during work activities and anyone can make a complaint or notification. / Hazard report form to record the details of identified hazards
Feedback through consultation mechanisms / This occurs when work colleagues meet to discuss OHS issues. / Minutes of meetings

Specialist hazard identification

The following hazard identification strategies are generally carried out by specialists.

Identification strategy / When and how used / Tools
Ergonomic assessment / An ergonomic assessment refers to an assessment undertaken at an individual’s workstation to ensure that the workstation is set up to meet the individual’s physical requirements so as to avoid injuries such as neck and back strain, eye strain, fatigue etc.
The assessment is usually carried out initially at the employment of a worker and on an annual basis to ensure that safe working conditions are maintained. / Checklist to itemise appropriate ergonomic working conditions
Site safety audit / An audit conducted on a specific area or activity or on a company’s OHS management system. This could include: OHS responsibilities, risk management process, work processes, tools and equipment safety requirements, OHS training, OHS reporting and recording.
While this can be conducted by management it is usually conducted by external OHS auditors on an annual or bi-annual basis at the request of an organisations executive management. / Audit documentation outlining all areas of the organisations OHS management system
Environmental monitoring / Environmental monitoring is usually carried out by specialists in their selected environmental field. The fields may include hazardous substances, confined spaces, soil contamination, asbestos, noise and pest control. / Environmental reports

Recording hazards

Once hazards have been identified they must be recorded and workplaces have a hazard register that allows all relevant information to be recorded.

It is helpful to distinguish the hazard from the associated safety risk and the possible outcome that may result if the hazard is left unchecked. Defining the three separately will assist in the next phase of the process (i.e. risk assessment).

Event hazards may be considered as follows.

Hazard
(description of hazard and location) / Safety risk
(consequences from the hazard) / Possible outcomes
(if the hazard is not controlled)
Contractors working at height to install rigging and equipment / Falling
Climbing equipment failure / Death
Permanent injury
Use of fork lift with other personnel in the event area / Person being hit by vehicle / Death
Permanent injury
Exhaust fumes from exhibition display, eg cars / Exhaust build up
Crowd crush / Exhaust inhalation
Death or injury
Boxes left in main doorway / Trip hazard / Medical attention required
Wet floor from spilled liquid / Slips and falls
Burns if liquid is corrosive / First aid

Hazard identification tools

Two common hazard identification work tools are detailed below.

1 – Workplace OHS inspection checklist

A workplace inspection checklist represents all the potential hazards that may be apparent in a particular work environment by listing them on the checklist. The checklist is then used to record whether the potential hazard is within the work environment.

The checklist on the following page is a sample only and could be adapted for a specific work or event site.

Workplace OHS inspection checklist

Date of inspection:
Inspection conducted by:
Inspection ratings: / Yes = all safety measures being followed – No hazards / No = safety measures not being followed – identified hazard / N/A = the question/issue is not applicable for the inspection being carried out.
Give a reason for rating in this category.
Inspection criteria / Y / N / NA / Comments
1. Access and exits
Are access and exit points to and from event area clear and free from obstruction?
Are access and exits clearly marked?
Are access and exits well lit?
2. Emergency procedure
Are emergency procedure developed and communicated to all staff?
Are emergency exits clearly marked and free from obstructions?
Do employees know their role and responsibilities in an emergency?
Are correct fire extinguishers available in the area and in good working order?
3. First aid
Are first aid kits readily available to all employees and fully stocked?
Are first aid personnel available in the work area?
5. Chemicals
Are all chemicals stored and labelled correctly?
Are chemicals stored appropriately and kept to a minimum?
Are procedures in place to clean up any chemical spills?
Are gas cylinders stored according to regulatory standards?
Are chemicals in good working order?
6. Electrical
Are all electrical leads checked and tagged according to regulatory requirements?
Are electrical leads used in a safe manner?
Are electrical leads secured appropriately to avoid trip hazards?
7. Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Is PPE equipment stored appropriately?
Is PPE equipment in good working order?
Are employees trained in the correct use of PPE?
Are employees wearing PPE?
8. Manual handling
Are employees trained in safe manual handling techniques?
Is mechanical lifting equipment available for use by employees?
Are employees using the mechanical equipment?
Is team lifting practiced where mechanical lifting devices are not available?
9. Housekeeping
Is rubbish disposed of appropriately at regular intervals?
Is the area free from rubbish lying around the site?
Are plant, tools and operational materials packed away appropriately and immediately after use?
10. Work environment
Are the work areas free from the glare of sunlight or unshielded light?
Is the work space adequate for the job undertaken?
Are shaded and sheltered areas are provided?
Has a cleaning routine been developed to maintain work area in a hygienic standard?
Are personal wash areas available and well maintained?
Are crowds controlled in numbers and behaviour?
Is vehicle traffic controlled?
Has loud or constant noise from activities been controlled?
11. Plant, equipment and tools
Are all employees required to use equipment and tools trained in there use?
Are all equipment and tools regularly maintained and in good working order?
Does large equipment have a designated area to be stored which is clearly marked out on the floor surface?
Is vehicle traffic controlled on site?
12. Employee safety
Are employees trained in all aspects of operational safety within their job roles?
Do employees perform their job roles safely?

2 – Job safety analysis (JSA)

A job safety analysis (JSA) work statement is developed for work tasks that have a medium to high level of risk of injury to individuals carrying out the work task and/or those working in close vicinity of where the task is being carried out.

The purpose of the JSA statement is to provide a document that records the safest way to undertake a work task. The development of the document must involve consultation between the manager and the work group that is responsible for carrying out the task. Once developed the task must be carried out by personnel according to the JSA major steps and control measures.

The process of developing a JSA is undertaken in a four-step process:

1. Identify and record the major steps of the task.

2. Identify any hazards present in each step of the task.

3. Risk assess each hazard using a risk matrix.

4. Eliminate or provide controls for each hazard identified.

In this topic only the first two steps will be addressed:

1. Identify and record the major steps of the task

2. Identify any hazards present in each step of the task.

The following examples show a JSA statement, the basic details to be included and a completed example. Other details that could be added to the form may include training and instruction required for the job; references such as relevant regulations; Australian standards, other work methods or codes of practice; tools and equipment required; and any personal protective equipment required such as footwear, eye protection, hearing protection, head wear and clothing protection.

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Job safety analysis (JSA) – Details to include

Company name: / Date:
Site name: / Permit required: / Certificates of competency or licenses required by a person undertaking the activity
Contractor: / Approved by:
Activity: / Description of the work to be carried out
Job activities / Hazards / Risk / Control measures
List all of the tasks or operations carried out in your area.
A task will describe the whole of an operation and will usually be part of the production or service (eg the operation of a machine, the production of a particular product or the carrying out of a specific service).
You can identify the tasks by:
· observing the work
· discussing the work with the operator
· drawing on your own knowledge or experience
· a combination of the above.
To follow the flow of production for the work area, you can record the tasks in their normal order of occurrence. / For each task ask yourself, or the investigation team, what could be the effect on the safety or health of the person carrying out that stage.
You can get answers by:
· recalling past incidents
· observing the conduct of the work
· discussing it with the operator
· a combination of the above.
Can the person be struck by or come into contact with anything harmful?
Can the person be caught in, on or between anything?
Can the person fall or have something fall on them?
Can the person suffer a strain injury?
Is the person exposed to anything injurious such as manual handling, electricity, chemicals etc?

Job safety analysis (JSA) – Example for operating a fork lift

Company name: / Date:
Site name: / Permit required: / Fork lift licence
Contractor: / Approved by:
Activity: / Operation of a fork lift
Job activities / OHS hazards / Risk / Control measures
Undertake pre-start check of fork lift / Fork lift or parts of fork lift may be faulty
Access the fork lift / Competency of the operator
Ergonomic set up of the fork lift for visibility and useability purposes
Start the fork lift / Unidentified mechanical faults
Pick up load / Unbalanced load leading to fork lift tilting or tipping
Travel with loads / Speeding and decreased visibility — collision
Loss of load — tipping fork lift and damage to goods
Set down loads / Loss of load — tipping fork lift and damage to goods
Load exceeding the safe working weight of the set down point — collapse of shelving
Park fork lift in appropriate bay / Inappropriate storage of fork lift can cause trip hazards and knock injuries
Remove keys from fork lift / Unauthorised use of fork lift

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