HAZARD & RISK

How would you define the

terms hazard and risk?
A hazard is a source of danger which can be
defined as “a condition or situation that exists
in the work environment that could result in
physical harm, injury and/ or damage”.

Risk relates to exposure to the danger and is

defined as “the probability of any injury or
loss occurring from the hazard”.
TYPES OF HAZARDS
Can you give me some examples
of a visible hazard?
Untidy Working area
Missing machine guards
Broken or damaged ladders
Slippery surface.
Can you give me some examples
of a hidden hazard?
Toxic/asphyxiating gases
Vapors inside a confined space
Emission from a radioactive source
Can you give some examples of a
developing hazard?”
Building and structural damage due to vibration or
moisture
Corrosion and weathering of metal components
Exposure to constant noise which is above the
recommended levels
Abnormal wear and tear on critical parts of
machinery, plant and equipment
Deterioration from ultra-violet radiation or chemical
reaction
 Hazard Awareness – Spot the Hazards

Working at Heights
 Hazard Awareness – Spot the Hazards
1. Operatives not wearing safety helmets
Working at Heights
2. No edge protection to roof nothing to stop materials falling off

3. Roof ladder not long enough

4. Access ladder tied to gutter

5. Ladder leaning on gutter

6. Access ladder too short

7. Manual handling

8. Unprotected skylight

9. Operative kneeling on fragile roof materials

10. Operative not wearing sensible clothing

11. Loose tools in bag liable to fall out onto persons below

12. Carrying tools up ladder. Only one hand

available to steady operative on the ladder

13. No safe access onto roof

Hazard Awareness – Spot the Hazards

Ground Excavations
 Hazard Awareness – Spot the Hazards
1. No ladder or safe access

2. Operatives not wearing safety helmets

3. Timbering inadequate to safety support

the sides of the excavation

4. Cable crossing excavation both

unprotected and unsupported

5. Edges of excavation unsafe and breaking away

6. Some wedges used to tighten up timbering missing

7. No securing pins in screw jack

8. Operatives not wearing correct safety footwear

9. Operative climbing on screw jack

10. Board incorrectly toed in

11. Spoil heap in dangerous position

12. Soil slipping between trench supports

13. Unwedged strut across excavation

Ground Excavations
14. Can of fuel incorrectly stored
Hazard Awareness – Spot the Hazards

Lifting Operations
 Hazard Awareness – Spot the Hazards
1. No safety clip on crane hook Lifting Operations
2. Shackle between crane hook and sling ring
3. Knot in right-hand sling
4. Angle between legs of sling too wide
5. Insecure slinging method, chain
too near end of load. Is load secure?
6. Spare sling legs not hooked back
7. Load off level
8. What is SWL of sling?
9. Signaller not wearing safety helmet
10. Correct hand signals not being used
11. Adjacent excavation not guarded
12. Outrigger of crane too near to edge of
trench on unstable ground
13. Tag rope not being used
14. Driver cannot see signaler
15. Nails in timber sticking up
16. Spoil heap causing possible trip hazard
17. Spoil heap sited too close to edge of excavation
CATEGORIES OF HAZARDS
 Does anyone know the 6
general categories of hazards?
Physical (noise, vibration, temperature)
Chemical /Substances (exposure to cyanide, acids, caustic soda,
lead)
Ergonomic ( work area layout, equipment design, instrument
layout)
Radiation (ultraviolet exposure from the sun or welding, infra-
red from drying or heating processes)
Biological (viruses, bacteria, parasites)
Psychological (work load, shift arrangement, workplace
violence)
ASSESSING THE RISK
 “Does anyone remember the
definition of risk?”
RISK relates to exposure to a danger and is
defined as “the probability of any injury or
loss occurring from the hazard”
 What would be an example in
each category?
Some Consequences of high risk examples
would be:
Loss of life
Permanent disability
Loss of body part
Extensive loss of structure, equipment or
material
 “What would be an example in
each category?” cont..
Some Consequences of medium risk
examples would be:
Serious injury or illness that results in a
temporary disability
Property damage that is disruptive but less
severe than a high risk hazard
 “What would be an example in
each category?” cont..

Some Consequences of Low risk examples

would be:
Minor, on-disabling injury or illness
Non-disruptive property damage
DEALING WITH HAZARDS
 Can anyone suggest what these
are?
Elimination
Replacement
Isolation
Control (work permits )
Personal Protective Equipment
Disciplines (Procedures, work instruction )
 How can we, as individuals, help to
eliminate hazards and protect
ourselves and others?
Clean up after the job
Store and stack items correctly
Post hazard warning signs
Barricade the work area if a short term hazard exists
e.g welding /excavation
Operate equipment correctly
Follow the specified safe work procedures
Not walk away from a hazard – fix or report it
 SUMMARY
During the talk we have discussed how to:
Identify different types of hazards
Categorize hazards
Assess the risk associated with hazards
Eliminate hazard
 How do I develop a Task Hazard analysis
for a critical job

Divide the task into sequences of basic steps.

Hazard Identification – Identify all potential

hazards in each basic step .
 How do I develop a Task Hazard
analysis for a critical job
Estimate the consequence or severity of the
event
Consequences Categories

Causing death to one or more people. Loss or damage is such that it could cause serious
5 Major business disruption (e.g. major fire, explosion or structural damage). Loss/ damage in
excess of a financial value

Causing permanent disability. (e.g. loss of limb, sight or hearing). Loss/ damage in excess of
4 Sever
a financial value.

3 Significant Causing temporary disability. (e.g. fractures). Loss/ damage in excess of a financial value.

Causing significant injuries. (e.g. sprain, bruises, and lacerations). Loss/ damage in excess of
2 Minor
a financial value e.g. damage to fixtures and fittings.
Causing minor injuries. (e.g. cuts, scratches). No lost time likely other than for first aid
1 Slight treatment. Loss/ damage in excess of a financial value e.g. superficial damage to interior
decorations.
Determine the Likelihood or probability of event occurring
Likelihood Categories

Absence of any management controls. If conditions remains unchanged there is almost

5 Certain 100% certainty that an accident will happen. (e.g. broken rung on a ladder, live exposed
electrical conductor, and untrained personnel).

Serious failures in management controls. The effect of human behavior or other factors
4 Probable could cause an accident but is unlikely without this additional factor (e.g. ladder not
secured properly, oil spilled on floor, poor trained personnel).

Insufficient or substandard controls in place. Loss is unlikely during normal operation,

3 Possible however it may occur in emergencies or non routine conditions (e.g. keys left in forklift
trucks; obstructed gangways; refresher training required).

The situation is generally well managed, however occasional lapses could occur. This
2 likely also applies to situations where people are required to behave safely in order to protect
themselves but are well trained.

Loss, accident or illness could only occur under exceptional conditions. The situation is
1 Improbable well managed and all reasonable precautions have been taken. Ideally, this should be
the normal state of the workplace.
How do I develop a Task Hazard analysis
for a critical job
Evaluate the Risk- Likelihood X Severity
Certain 5 10 15 20 25

Probable 4 8 12 16 20

Possible 3 6 9 12 15

Improbable 2 4 6 8 10

Negligible 1 2 3 4 5

LIKELIHOOD
Significant

Severe
Slight

Minor

Major
SEVERITY
How do I develop a Task Hazard analysis
for a critical job
Risk Management – by setting control
measures.
Re evaluate the risk after control measures.
ANY QUESTIONS

THANKS