RISK

ASSESSMENT
&
RISK
PROTECTION
METHODS
Hazard: the potential for something to cause
harm
Risk: the likelihood of that hazard to actually
cause harm
Risk = likelihood of an event X severity of
outcome
Shark in the sea Swimming in the sea with shark
HAZARD RISK
For each industrial process, the following questions
must be asked:

–What are the hazards? Hazard Identification

–What can go wrong?
–What are the chances? Risk Assessment

–What are the consequences?

 What is a risk assessment?
• A risk assessment is the process of identifying what hazards currently
exist or may appear in the workplace.
• A risk assessment defines which workplace hazards are likely to cause
harm to employees and visitors.
What is the difference between risk assessment
and risk management?
• Risk assessment is the process of
identifying safety and health hazards
associated with work, assessing the
level of risks involved, and prioritizing
measures to control the hazards and
reduce the risks.
• Risk management, like risk assessment,
involves assessment of risks associated
with any work activity or trade.
However, it also includes control and
monitoring of such risks, as well as
communicating these risks.
What is the difference between risk assessment
and risk management?
 Risk Analysis
• Identification of hazards
• Estimation of the risk for each hazardous situation

Risk Evaluation

Risk control
• Risk control option analysis
• Implementation of risk control measures
• Residual risk evaluation
• Risk / benefit analysis
• Risk arising from risk control measures
• Completeness of risk control

Evaluation of overall residual risk acceptability

Risk management report

Production and post-production information

Why is risk assessment important?
• Create awareness of hazards and risk.
• Identify who may be at risk.
• Determine whether a control program is required for a particular
hazard.
• Determine if existing control measures are adequate or if more should
be done.
• Prevent injuries or illnesses, especially when done at the design or
planning stage.
• Prioritize hazards and control measures.
• Meet legal requirements where applicable.
 What is the goal of risk assessment?

The aim of the risk assessment process is to evaluate

hazards, then remove that hazard or minimize the
level of its risk by adding control measures, as
necessary.
By doing so, you have created a safer and healthier
workplace.
 What is the goal of risk assessment?
The goal is to try to answer the following questions:

• What can happen and under what circumstances?

• What are the possible consequences?
• How likely are the possible consequences to
occur?
• Is the risk controlled effectively, or is further
action required?
When should a risk assessment be done?

• Before new processes or

activities are introduced.
• Before changes are introduced
to existing processes or
activities
• When hazards are identified.
 WHAT IS RISK ASSESSMENT?
• Identify hazards and risk factors that have the potential to cause harm
(hazard identification).

• Analyze and evaluate the risk associated with that hazard (risk analysis,
and risk evaluation).

• Determine appropriate ways to eliminate the hazard, or control the

risk when the hazard cannot be eliminated (risk control).
 •
Identify hazards and risk factors that have
the potential to cause harm (hazard
identification).

Analyze and evaluate the risk associated with

that hazard (risk analysis, and risk
evaluation).

Determine appropriate ways to eliminate the

hazard, or control the risk when the hazard
cannot be eliminated (risk control).
• Hazard identification – the process of finding, listing, and
characterizing hazards.
• Risk analysis – a process for comprehending the nature of hazards
and determining the level of risk.
• Risk evaluation – the process of comparing an estimated risk
against given risk criteria to determine the significance of the risk.
• Risk control – actions implementing risk evaluation decisions.
How do you plan for a risk assessment?
• What the scope of your risk assessment will be.
• The resources needed.
• What type of risk analysis measures will be used.
• Who are the stakeholders involved.
• What relevant laws, regulations, codes, or standards may apply in your
jurisdiction, as well as organizational policies and procedures.
How a risk assessment is done?
should be done by a :
• competent person or team of
individuals who have a good
working knowledge of the situation
being studied On the team or as
sources of information
• the supervisors and workers who
work with the process under review
• There are no fixed rules on how a risk
assessment should be carried out, but
there are a few general principles that
should be followed.

• Five steps to risk assessment can be

followed to ensure that your risk
assessment is carried out correctly.
to do an assessment, you should:
• Identify hazards.
• Determine the likelihood of harm, such as an injury or illness
occurring, and its severity.
• Identify actions necessary to eliminate the hazard, or control the risk
using the hierarchy of risk control methods.
• Evaluate to confirm if the hazard has been eliminated or if the risk is
appropriately controlled.
• Monitor to make sure the control continues to be effective.
• Keep any documents or records that may be necessary.
When doing an assessment, also take into account:
• The methods and procedures used in the processing.
• The actual and the potential exposure of workers.
• The measures and procedures necessary to control such exposure by
means of engineering controls, work practices, and hygiene practices
and facilities.
• The duration and frequency of the task.
• The location where the task is done.
When doing an assessment, also take into account:

• The machinery, tools, materials, etc. that are used in the

operation and how they are used.
• Any possible interactions with other activities in the area and if
the task could affect others.
• The lifecycle of the product, process or service.
• The education and training the workers have received.
• How a person would react in a particular situation.
Steps to Risk Assessment
How are the hazards identified?
• Look at foreseeable unusual conditions.
• Determine whether a product, machine or equipment
can be intentionally or unintentionally changed.
• Review all of the phases of the lifecycle.
• Examine risks to visitors or the public.
• Consider the groups of people that may have a different
level of risk.
Biological – bacteria, viruses, insects, plants, birds, animals, and humans, etc.,

Chemical – depends on the physical, chemical and toxic properties of the

chemical,

Ergonomic – repetitive movements, improper set up of workstation, etc.,

Physical – radiation, magnetic fields, temperature extremes, pressure

extremes (high pressure or vacuum), noise, etc.,

Psychosocial – stress, violence, etc.,

Safety – slipping/tripping hazards, inappropriate machine guarding,

equipment malfunctions or breakdowns.
 Table 1
Example of Risk Assessment
Task Hazard Risk Priority Control

Delivering product to
customers May be unable to call
Drivers work alone
for help if needed

Drivers have to
Fatigue, short rest
occasionally work long
time between shifts
hours
Increased chance of
Drivers are often in collision
very congested traffic
Longer working hours

Drivers have to lift Injury to back from

boxes when lifting, reaching,
deliverying product carrying, etc.
How do you rank or prioritize the risks?
• Ranking or prioritizing hazards is one way to help determine which
hazard is the most serious and thus which hazard to control first.
• Priority is usually established by taking into account the employee
exposure and the potential for accident, injury or illness.
To determine the level of risk you must combine the likelihood of a
hazard occurring with its severity.
RISK = Likelihood x Severity
There are many different methods used to determine severity and
likelihood.
Definitions for Likelihood of Harm
Improbable (unlikely to occur)
Remote (unlikely, though possible)
Occasional (likely to occur occasionally during standard
operations)
Probable (not surprised, will occur in given time)
Frequent (likely to occur, to be expected)
Definitions for Severity of Harm
Negligible (the hazard will not result in serious injury or
illness, or has a remote possibility of damage)
Marginal (the hazard could cause illness, injury or equipment
damage but its effects would not be serious)
Moderate (the hazard can result in serious injury or illness,
property or equipment damage)
Critical (the hazard can result in serious injury or illness,
property or equipment damage)
Catastrophic (the hazard is capable of causing death and
illness)
Definitions for Risk Score
Very low - These risks are considered acceptable.
No further action is necessary other than to
ensure that the controls are maintained.

Low - No additional controls are required unless

they can be implemented at very low cost (in
terms of time, money, and effort).

Medium - Consideration should be as to whether

the risks can be lowered, where applicable, to a
tolerable level and preferably to an acceptable
level, but the costs of additional risk reduction
measures should be taken into account.
High - Substantial efforts should be made to
reduce the risk. Risk reduction measures
should be implemented urgently within a
defined time period.

Very high - These risk are unacceptable.

Substantial improvements in risk control
measures are necessary so that the risk is
reduced to a tolerable or acceptable level.
How do you know if the hazard will cause harm
(poses a risk)?
• Product information / manufacturer documentation.
• Past experience (knowledge from workers, etc.).
• Legislated requirements and/or applicable standards.
• Industry codes of practice / best practices.
• Health and safety material about the hazard such as
safety data sheets (SDSs), research studies, or other
manufacturer information.
How do you know if the hazard will cause harm
(poses a risk)?
• Information from reputable organizations.
• Results of testing (atmospheric or air sampling of workplace, biological
swabs, etc.).
• The expertise of an occupational health and safety professional.
• Information about previous injuries, illnesses, near misses, incident
reports, etc.
• Observation of the process or task.
What are methods of hazard control?
• Elimination (including substitution).
• Engineering controls.
• Administrative controls.
• Personal protective equipment.
What are methods of hazard control?
Most
effective

Less
effective
Elimination
• Elimination of hazards refers to the total removal of the hazards and
hence effectively making all the identified possible accidents and ill
health impossible. The term 'elimination' means that a risk is reduced
to zero without a shifting it elsewhere.
• This is a permanent solution and should be attempted in the first
instance.
• If the hazard is removed, all the other management controls, such as
workplace monitoring and surveillance, training, safety auditing, and
record keeping will no longer be required.
Substitution
Substitution occurs when a new chemical or substance that is
less hazardous is used instead of another chemical.

It is sometimes grouped with elimination because, in effect, you

are removing the first substance or hazard from the workplace.

The goal, obviously, is to choose a new chemical that is less

hazardous than the original.
Instead of: Consider:

carbon tetrachloride (causes liver damage, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, dichloromethane

cancer)

benzene (causes cancer) toluene, cyclohexane, ketones

pesticides (causes various effects on body) "natural" pesticides such as pyrethrins

organic solvents (causes various effects on body) water-detergent solutions

leaded glazes, paints, pigments (causes various versions that do not contain lead
effects on body)

sandstone grinding wheels (causes severe synthetic grinding wheels such as aluminium
respiratory illness due to silica) oxide
Engineering controls
Engineering controls are methods that are built into the design of a
plant, equipment or process to minimize the hazard.
Engineering controls are a very reliable way to control worker
exposures as long as the controls are designed, used and maintained
properly.
The basic types of engineering controls are:
• Process control.
• Enclosure and/or isolation of emission source.
• Ventilation.
Administrative controls
Administrative controls limit workers' exposures by scheduling shorter
work times in contaminant areas or by implementing other "rules".
These control measures have many limitations because the hazard
itself is not actually removed or reduced.
• Restricting access to a work area.
• Using a work-rest schedule that limits the length of time a worker is
exposure to a hazard.
Personal protective equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided a barrier between the
wearer and the chemical or material.
Personal protective equipment should never be the only method used
to reduce exposure except under very specific circumstances because
PPE may "fail".
Why is it important to review and monitor
the assessments?
• It is important to know if your risk assessment was complete and
accurate.
• It is also essential to be sure that any changes in the workplace
have not introduced new hazards or changed hazards that were
once ranked as lower priority to a higher priority.
• It is good practice to review your assessment on a regular basis to
make sure your control methods are effective.
What documentation should be done for a risk
assessment?
The level of documentation or record keeping will depend on:
• Level of risk involved.
• Legislated requirements.
• Requirements of any management systems that may be in place.
Your records should show that you:
• Conducted a good hazard review.
• Determined the risks of those hazards.
• Implemented control measures suitable for the risk.
• Reviewed and monitored all hazards in the workplace.
Risk Protection Methods
• Risk prevention methods include all techniques and management
practices that help to prevent unnecessary or foreseeable risks.

• Essentially, they generally include all of the methods that increase the
quality (and thus reduce financial and other risks), planning methods,
forecasting, and the use of best practices. By using best practices and
reference models, negative phenomena are being prevented.
• Risk prevention is the process
of avoiding risk or reducing
the probability and impact of
risk.
• The following are common
elements of a risk prevention
process :
Risk Identification

• The process of identifying the

risks associated with a strategy,
decision, process, procedure,
event or action.
 Risk Analysis

• Determining the
probability, impact,
and triggers of
identified risks.
 Risk Avoidance

• Altering your strategies,

decisions, processes, procedures,
products or actions to avoid risk.
Risk Reduction

•Taking steps to reduce the

probability or impact of a
risk.
Risk Contingency
• Planning what you will do if the risk
occurs in order to reduce its
impact.
Risk Minimization

• Risk minimization is the

process of reducing the
probability and/or impact
of a risk as low as possible.
Secondary Risk
• A secondary risk is a risk that occurs due to the efforts to reduce risk.
Residual Risk

• Residual risk is the risk that remains after your efforts to treat risk.
Generally speaking, risks aren't "prevented" but are reduced as
residual risk usually remains even if you attempt to minimize risk.