(c) 2009 HSE Training - Sustainable Gh Ltd.,Risk Assessment,“Foundations of an effective health and safety management system”,(c) 2009 HSE Training - Sustainable Gh Ltd.,Structure of presentation,What is Risk Assessment Definitions associated with R.A Legal Aspects of Risk Assessment Types of R.A Objectives of R.A Accident categories Risk Assessment Process,(c) 2009 HSE Training - Sustainable Gh Ltd.,IS SAFETY EQUAL TO “COMMON SENSE”?,(c) 2009 HSE Training - Sustainable Gh Ltd.,Is Safety “OBVIOUS”?,(c) 2009 HSE Training - Sustainable Gh Ltd.,What Health it will help identify the best way of managing the risk. Identify groups of people (e.g. office staff or visitors or contractors). Identify how they might be harmed (i.e. what type of injury or ill health might occur. For example, shelf stackers may suffer back injury from repeated lifting of boxes).,(c) 2009 HSE Training - Sustainable Gh Ltd.,Persons at Risk,Some workers have particular requirements (e.g. new and young workers, new or expectant mothers and people with disabilities may be at particular risk). Extra thought will be needed for some hazards; Cleaners, visitors, contractors, maintenance workers etc, who may not be in the workplace all the time;,(c) 2009 HSE Training - Sustainable Gh Ltd.,Persons at Risk,Members of the public, if they could be hurt by your activities; If you share your workplace, you will need to think about how your work affects others present, as well as how their work affects your staff talk to them; and ask your staff/associates if they can think of anyone you may have missed.,(c) 2009 HSE Training - Sustainable Gh Ltd.,Evaluation of Risk Level,Having spotted the hazards, you then have to decide what to do about them. The law requires you to do everything reasonable and practicable to protect people from harm. You Prioritize So first, look at what youre already doing, think about what controls you have in place and how the work is organised. Ask yourself - Can I get rid of the hazard altogether? If not, how can I control the risks so that harm is unlikely?,(c) 2009 HSE Training - Sustainable Gh Ltd.,Evaluation of Risk Level,Qualitative Risk Assessment Most commonly used Subjective High Medium Low Affects timelines for corrective actions,(c) 2009 HSE Training - Sustainable Gh Ltd.,Evaluation of Risk Level,Quantitative Risk Assessment Attempts to quantify risk levels based on: Likelihood (existing control factors, frequency of exposure, category of exposed person) Severity (magnitude of hazard) Commonly used in aircraft design/maintenance or pharmaceutical industry Important to recognize that whichever evaluation method used, the level of risk simply enables a timetable for corrective action/risk reduction plan,(c) 2009 HSE Training - Sustainable Gh Ltd.,Risk Controls,When controlling risks, apply the principles as follows: Eliminate the process/hazard if possible Try a less risky option (e.g. switch to using a less hazardous chemical). Prevent access to the hazard (e.g. by guarding). Organise work to reduce exposure to the hazard. Issue personal protective equipment (e.g. clothing, footwear, goggles etc).,(c) 2009 HSE Training - Sustainable Gh Ltd.,Risk Controls,Provide welfare facilities (e.g. first aid and washing facilities). Improving health and safety need not cost a lot. Failure to take simple precautions can cost you a lot more if an accident does happen.,(c) 2009 HSE Training - Sustainable Gh Ltd.,Recordkeeping/Documentation,(c) 2009 HSE Training - Sustainable Gh Ltd.,Recordkeeping/Documentation,You need to be able to show that: A proper check was made. You asked who might be affected. You dealt with all the significant hazards, taking into account the number of people who could be involved. The precautions are reasonable, the remaining risk is low. You involve your staff or their representatives in the process. If, like many businesses, you find that there are quite a lot of improvements that you could make, big and small, dont try to do everything at once.,(c) 2009 HSE Training - Sustainable Gh Ltd.,Recordkeeping/Documentation,Make a plan of action to deal with the most important/significant things first. A good plan must include a mix of different things: A few cheaper or easy improvements that can be done quickly. A temporary solution until more reliable controls are in place. Long-term solutions to those risks most likely to cause accidents or ill health. Long-term solutions to those risks with the worst potential consequences; Arrangements for training employees on the main risks that remain and how they are to be controlled. Regular checks to make sure that the control measures stay in place. Remember, priorities and tackle the most important things first.,(c) 2009 HSE Training - Sustainable Gh Ltd.,Monitoring and Review,Your workplace will not stay the same. Sooner or later, you will bring in new equipment, substances or procedures that could lead to new hazards. It makes sense to review what you are doing on