OHS RISK MANAGEMENT

OHS RISK MANAGEMENT (Hazard identification, risk assessment, risk control & control review) University of Newcastle ENGINEERING STUDENTS September 30, 2003

SafetyPlusRisk Management Services Doug Wakefield MSIA 2276 13 10 50 workcover.nsw.gov.au safemeasure.com.au

Civilisation I The Law: Empowers ALL parties to recognise what is acceptable & what is unacceptable in society

Civilisation II The Law: Defines what is ‘in-bounds’ & what is ‘out-of-bounds’

Playin’ de Game...

Playin’ de Game... Team A Referee B Scores A Scores Team B

Playin’ de Game... Defence Judge Not Guilty Guilty Prosecution

How it all fits together: OHS Act 2000 Injury Mgt Act OHS Regulation 2001 Codes of Practice Australian and National Standards

RISK MANAGEMENT • Integral part of good management practice • Repeat process consisting of sequential steps • Based upon continual improvement in decision-making

OHS Risk Management – OverviewWhat it’s all about? Identify hazard(s) Assess risk(s) Re-evaluate New processes New substances New plant New knowledge Changes to legislation Control risk(s)

What is a HAZARD? What is a RISK? What’s the difference between a Hazard and a Risk?

A Hazard is ... Clause 3 of the OHS Regulation 2001 defines a hazard as: ‘...anything (including work practices or procedures) that has the potential to harm the health or safety of a person.’

A Risk is … ‘...anything (including work practices or procedures) that is likely/probable/may or could harm the health or safety of a person.’

Manage your hazards... IDENTIFY ASSESS HAZARDS CONTROL

Employer to identify hazards Clause 9 of the OHS Regulation 2001 states: “… employers must take reasonable care to identify any foreseeable hazards to: • any employee of the employer • any other person legally at the employer’s place of work.”

The work premises Work practices, work systems & shift work arrangements Plant Hazardous substances The presence of asbestos Manual handling Layout/condition of workplace Biological organisms Physical working environment including: Electrocution Drowning Fire/explosion People slipping, tripping or falling Contact with moving/ stationary object Noise, heat, cold, vibration, radiation, electricity, contaminated air, confined space Workplace violence What hazards must employer identify?

Effective hazard identification procedures must be in place: • Immediately prior to using premises for the first time (as a place of work) • Before and during installation, erection, commissioning or alterations to plant • Before changes to work practices and systems of work are introduced • Before hazardous substances are introduced • While work is being carried out • When new/additional information is made available from an authoritative source

Methods of Hazard Identification Part 1 - THE SENSES & don’t forget: good, old fashioned INTUITION!

SYSTEMATIC Safety Audit Workplace Inspection Injury & Illness Records Consultation Incident Management Health/Environmental Monitoring INCIDENTAL Complaints Observation Methods of Hazard IdentificationPart 2 - THE BRAIN

Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) • Prepared by employer in consultation with employee • Basic SWMS: ACTIVITY HAZARD I/D & ASSESS CONTROL • Additional points • Responsibilities • Training & Certification • Legislation • WorkCover approvals • Maintenance checks • Signed off by all

Employer to assess risks Clause 10 of OHS Regulation 2001 states: “… employers must assess the risk of harm to: • any employee of the employer • any other person legally at the employer’s place of work

Risk Assessment Factors • Multiple Factor Hazards • Likelihood (exposure) • Consequences (severity) • Human Differences

Consider the risk... LIKELIHOOD OUTCOME ASSESS FREQUENCY

WORKCOVER HAZPAK MATRIX HOW LIKELY IS IT TO HAPPEN? HOW BAD IS IT LIKELY TO BE? Very likely: could happen at any time ++ Likely: could happen some time + Unlikely: could happen, but very rarely - Very unlikely: could happen, but probably never will -- Kill or cause permanent disability or ill health  1 1 2 3 Long term illness or serious injury  1 2 3 4 Medical attention and several days off work  2 3 4 5 First aid needed  3 4 5 6 Risk Assessment Tool(Hazpak Matrix)

Employer to eliminate or control risks Clause 11 of the OHS Regulation 2001 states: • employers must eliminate any reasonably foreseeable risk to the health or safety of: • any employee of the employer • any other person legally at the employer’s place of work • If it is not reasonably practicable to ELIMINATE the risk, the employer MUST control the risk

Hierarchy of Hazard Control 1: Elimination 2: Substitution 3: Isolation/Ventilate 4: Mitigation 5: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ENGINEERING CONTROLS ADMIN. CONTROLS

Employer must ensure … … all measures (including procedures & equipment) that are adopted to eliminate or control risks to health & safety are PROPERLY USED & MAINTAINED

Employer must review risk assessments & control measures... … whenever: • there is evidence that the risk assessment is no longer valid • injury or illness results from exposure to a hazard to which the risk assessment relates • a significant change is proposed in the place of work or work practices to which the risk assessment relates

“The absence of accidents does not imply the presence of safety...”“Safe workplaces don’t just happen… someone works to make them that way…” Safety...

OHS RISK MANAGEMENT