Hazard Assessment tool_updated 2017 .au



525780-273685Hazard assessment tool00Hazard assessment toolPurpose This tool is designed to help you identify and control hazards in the workplace. This involves finding things and situations that could potentially cause harm to people. Hazards generally arise from one or a combination of the following: physical work environmentequipment, materials and substances usedwork tasks and how they are performedwork design and management.How to use this toolTable 1 Table 1 lists some common types of workplace hazards, and can be used as a guide to identifying hazards in your workplace. Some hazards are part of the work process, such as mechanical hazards, noise or toxic properties of substances. Other hazards result from equipment or machine failures and misuse, chemical spills and structural failures. A piece of plant, substance or a work process may have many different hazards, each of which needs to be identified. For example, a production line may have dangerous moving parts, noise, hazards associated with manual tasks and psychological hazards due to the pace of work. Table 2Use Table 2 to document the hazards associated with a particular task or activity (Table 1 provide prompts to help you with this). Table 2 also has space for you to record what controls are currently in place to manage the hazard, and further action needed. See page 6 for an example of how to complete Table 2.NB: Not all tasks will require a hazard assessment; only those tasks or processes that contain significant health and safety risks will require a hazard assessment. A more detailed risk assessment may be required for some hazards, to determine if additional controls are required and what these controls should be. Detailed risk assessment tools are available in specific Codes of Practice. It is critical that you consult with relevant personnel at all stages of the hazard assessment process. Relevant personnel might include workers who perform the task, their supervisors, maintenance personnel or even your clients. Good consultation will provide a more thorough hazard assessment process and encourage greater buy-in to the outcomes.Any task or process for which a hazard assessment is completed should also have a documented safe work procedure. Tools to assist you develop safe work procedures are available from the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland website, worksafe..au. Table 1 – Common hazardsHazard Potential harm Physical work environmentHousekeeping/slips, trips and falls at levelSlips and trips can cause fractures, bruises, lacerations, dislocations, concussion, permanent injuries or death.Confined spaces/atmospheresConfined spaces can have too little or too much oxygen or contaminants that can cause asphyxiation. Falling objects Falling objects can cause fractures, bruises, lacerations, dislocations, concussion, permanent injuries or death.Work at heights/laddersFalling from heights can cause fractures, bruises, lacerations, dislocations, concussion, permanent injuries or death.NoiseExposure to loud noise can cause permanent hearing damage.Diving/waterUnderwater work presents the potential for drowning or oxygen deprivation. Extremes of temperatureHeat can cause burns, heat stroke or fatigue. Cold can cause hypothermia or frost bite.Lighting – low lighting/glarePoor lighting can lead to harm from other hazards (e.g. trip hazards, mobile plant) or eye strain.VentilationPoor ventilation can increase the risk of heat related illnesses and increase exposure to harmful chemicals and dusts.Equipment, material and substances usedMobile plantBeing hit by a moving vehicle can cause fractures, bruises, lacerations, dislocations, permanent injuries or death.Machinery and equipment with moving partsContact with moving parts of machinery can cause fractures, bruises, lacerations, dislocations, permanent injuries or death.ElectricalExposure to live electrical wires can cause electric shocks, burns or death from electrocution. Electricity can also present an ignition source in flammable atmospheres.Hazardous chemicalsChemicals (such as acids, hydrocarbons and heavy metals) can cause respiratory illnesses, cancer or dermatitis.Asbestos/dustsDusts (such as asbestos and silica) can cause respiratory illnesses, cancer or other illnesses. Welding/hot workWelding and hot work can cause illness from exposure to harmful fumes and burns from hot material, and can act as an ignition source in flammable atmospheres.RadiationUltra violet light, welding arc flashes, micro waves and lasers can cause burns, cancer or blindness.Biological hazardsMicro-organisms can cause illnesses such as hepatitis, Legionnaire’s disease, Q fever, HIV/AIDS or allergies.Work designManual tasksi.e. Tasks that:involve high or sudden force require sustained or repetitive forcerequire an uncomfortable or unnatural position be sustained for a prolonged periodrequire the same parts of the body to repeat the same movements over a period of timeresult in exposure to whole body or hand/arm vibration.Manual tasks can cause musculoskeletal disorders such as muscle strain, tendonitis or nerve damage (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome).Occupational stress i.e. Tasks/roles that involve:high physical/emotional demandslow controllack of supportpoor role clarityinterpersonal conflictinadequate recognition/rewardsignificant changeabsence of organisational justice/fairness.Occupational stress can lead to mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression, and/or physical injuries such as musculoskeletal disorders and cardiovascular disease.Workplace harassmenti.e. Behaviour that is repeated, unsolicited, and considered offensive, intimidating, humiliating or threatening.Harassment in the workplace can lead to mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression and/or physical injuries such as musculoskeletal disorders.Client aggression/violenceClient aggression can lead to physical injury from assault or mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder.FatigueFatigue can lead to loss of concentration or micro-sleeps that increase the risk of other hazards causing an injury. Fatigue can also directly lead to health outcomes such as heart disease, stomach disorders and lower fertility.Table 2 – Hazard assessment toolTask being reviewedDescription of taskHazardCurrent controls Additional controls requiredTo be actioned by?Required date of completion?Physical work environmentEquipment , material and substances usedWork designOther hazardsReview date: Next review due: ExampleTask being reviewedCleaning toilets in council parksDescription of taskUndertaken by two workers each Monday morning in a Council truck. Workers clean all eight toilets across the municipality.HazardCurrent controls Additional controls requiredTo be actioned by?Required date of completion?Physical work environmentNoise from operating compressor in enclosed spaceWorkers required to wear hearing protectionUse a longer hose and leave compressor outsideJ. Bloggs30/6/2012Slippery floors when hosing out toilet blocksWorkers required to wear non-slip footwearN/A – current controls adequateN/AN/AEquipment , material and substances usedDefective work truck could cause accidentVehicle on regular service schedule.Fault reporting system in place to identify problems.N/A – current controls adequateN/AN/ADefective compressor could lead to injuryCompressor on regular service schedule.Fault reporting system in place to identify problems.Implement daily pre-start inspection checklist to identify faults.J. Bloggs30/6/2012Hazardous cleaning chemicalsSafety data sheet provided by supplier and copy kept in work vehicles.Documented risk assessment conducted for all hazardous chemicals.Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) provided.Regularly discuss alternative products that are non-hazardous with suppliers. Substitute hazardous chemicals with non-hazardous ones when available.J. BloggsOngoingPossible exposure to infectious diseases from body fluids Workers required to wear PPE provided when cleaning.Biological hazard bins provided for disposing of potentially infectious material.Biological hazard spill kits to be providedJ. Bloggs30/6/2012Work tasks and work designManually handling compressor on and off work truck and around toilet blocksHandles provided on compressor for easier handling.Always use two people to lift and lower compressor on/off truck.Training in the compressor manual handling procedure provided to all cleaners.Provide extension hoses that will allow compressor to be left on vehicle when cleaning, to eliminate manual handling.J. Bloggs30/6/2012Aggressive members of the public could assault cleanersRadios fitted in all work trucks so cleaners can contact depot quickly.Cleaners all provided training in dealing with aggressive behaviours.N/A – current controls adequateN/AN/ADate of assessment: 20/4/2016Next review due: 20/4/2017-150495-196215Office of Industrial Relations worksafe..au 1300 362 128The material presented in this publication is distributed by the Queensland Government for information only and is subject to change without notice. The Queensland Government disclaims all responsibility and liability (including liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs incurred as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. ? State of Queensland 2015.0Office of Industrial Relations worksafe..au 1300 362 128The material presented in this publication is distributed by the Queensland Government for information only and is subject to change without notice. The Queensland Government disclaims all responsibility and liability (including liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs incurred as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. ? State of Queensland 2015. ................
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