Hazard Identification and Control Si
Hazard Identification and Control Si
Hazard Identification and Control Si
ENVIRONMENTAL
HEALTH & SAFETY
Hazard Identification and Control
OVERVIEW
Hazard Identification is the foundation of a safe workplace. At its most basic level, hazard identification is simply looking at a
job, task or a situation and asking, “Is there anything here that could hurt someone or damage something?”
But what if you’re not quite sure what to look for? What is a workplace hazard?
A workplace hazard is any practice, behavior or physical condition that has the potential to cause: injury, illness, damage to
property; damage to the environment; or loss to a process. There are hazards in every type of job and every type of workplace.
Everyone at the workplace: workers, managers and the employer, share in the responsibility to identify and control hazards. A
hazard cannot be controlled (i.e. eliminated, reduced, or otherwise managed) until it has been identified.
CONTROLLING HAZARDS
There are two primary control strategies; Control the Hazard and Control Exposure to the Hazard. These two strategies are
commonly addressed through the Hierarchy of Controls. The Hierarchy of Controls can be arranged into several different
groupings. Generally speaking, and when feasible, controlling the hazard is more effective than controlling the exposure.
Hazard Control
Elimination – Physically removing the hazard from the workplace is the most effective hazard control. No hazard = no risk.
Substitution – Similar to elimination, substitution involves replacing a hazard with something less hazardous.
Engineering – The workplace is designed to physically isolate people from the hazards.
Examples include:
o enclosures,
o barriers,
o guarding,
o baffles, and
o relocation.
Exposure Control
Administrative – Also referred to as Management or Work Practice Controls, these are changes to the way people work.
Examples include:
o procedure changes,
o employee training, and
o installation of signs and warning labels.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – This is the least effective means of controlling hazards because there are many
factors that can render the PPE ineffective. PPE should always be considered the last line of defense and not the main or
primary strategy for control. Whenever possible, controls should be adopted that minimize the reliance upon PPE for worker
protection.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
SAIF (OSU’s workers' compensation insurance carrier) OR-OSHA
Effective Hazard Recognition and Control Hazard Identification and Control Workbook
Controlling Health & Safety Hazards Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) Workbook
PPE Hazard Assessment Certification Form Quick Guide – PPE Hazard Assessment
Pre-task Planning Worksheet Online Courses / Current Workshops