Procedure for

Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment

And Risk Management
Document RMR-HSMS-P-
Author(s): Kamran Hussain
Number: 001
Content
Revision Code: 01 Subhi Khudairi
Owner:
Issue Date: 30.03.2014 Reference ISO 45001:2018
Date of last Review
30.03.2022 4
review status
Next review
30.03.2023
date

Issue Description Of Change Date

0 Document Under Development 30th January 2014

A Issued for Comment 30th February 2014

1 Issued for Use 30th MARCH 2014

President
Subhi Khudairi

QHSE ADVISOR
Kamran Hussain
QHSE Manager
Kishan Kumar
Prepared By Reviewed by Approved by

RMR-HSMS-P-001 Page |1
Printed documents are uncontrolled
1.0 PURPOSE.....................................................................................................3
2.0 SCOPE..........................................................................................................3
3.0 INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................3
4.0 REFERENCES..............................................................................................3
5.0 DEFINITIONS................................................................................................3
6.0 RESPONSIBILITIES.....................................................................................5
6.1 Actions to address risk and Opportunities ………………………………………….. 5
6.1.2.2 General………………………………………………………………… ………………5
6.1.2.3 Hazard identification and assessment of risks and opportunities………………....6
7.0 RISK ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE............................................................6
7.1 Six Steps to Risk Assessment......................................................................6
7.2 Risk Matrix.....................................................................................................6
7.3 Risk Assessment Using Checklists...............................................................6
7.4 Reviewing RELIABLE MACHINERY RENTALS Risks / Risk
Assessments......................................................................................................................6
7.5 Training to conduct risk assessments...........................................................6
7.6 Inputs into the Risk Assessment Process.....................................................7
7.7 Outputs of the Risk Assessment Process.....................................................7
7.8 Determining that risk has been reduced ALARP..........................................7
7.9 Risk Assessment Records............................................................................8
8.0 RISK MANAGEMENT...................................................................................8
8.1 Reducing Risk...............................................................................................8
8.2 General Guide for Managing Risks...............................................................9
8.3 Monitoring the effectiveness of risk management arrangements.................9
9.0 TYPICAL HAZARDS...................................................................................10
10.0 RISK MATRIX.............................................................................................12

RMR-HSMS-P-001 Page |2
Printed documents are uncontrolled
1.0 PURPOSE
RELIABLE MACHINERY RENTALS recognizes that achieving the goals of the Health and
Safety Policy first requires an understanding of the risks of its activities during normal (e.g.
road transportation), abnormal (e.g. repair of equipment) and emergency situations.
This Procedure outlines the requirements for risk assessments. In addition to being a key
process in order to enable Reliable Machinery rentals to achieve the aims of its Health and
Safety Policy, this procedure is intended to comply with legislative requirements, ISO 45001
and client requirements.
Reliable Machinery rentals aims to manage all reasonably foreseeable risks to as low as
reasonably practicable, as defined by the company Risk Matrix.

2.0 SCOPE
This procedure includes information on
 Relevant reference standards
 When risk assessments are required
 Key definitions to enable management and employees to understand important risk
assessment concepts
 Responsibilities
 How to conduct a risk assessment
 Reliable Machinery rentals acceptable risk level
 Steps to be taken to eliminate hazards or otherwise reduce the risk
 Typical hazards to be considered when conducting risk assessments

3.0 INTRODUCTION
This Procedure is intended to ensure that personnel working for Reliable Machinery rentals
in Dubai, at Branch offices and on project sites participate in, or understand, risk assessment
processes relating to their work and arrangements for managing risks to their health and
safety.

4.0 REFERENCES
 RELIABLE MACHINERY RENTALS Health & Safety Policy
 RELIABLE MACHINERY RENTALS HSMS Procedures and associated forms
 IOSH Managing Safely Risk Assessment
 ISO 45001-2018

5.0 DEFINITIONS
Acceptable Risk: Using the company Risk Assessment Matrix as a guide to severity and
frequency, Reliable Machinery rentals has determined that any risk in the Low / Green zone
is acceptable (value of 1-5).
ALARP: As Low as Reasonably Practicable: Risk has been reduced to ALARP if the effort
and/or expense of mitigating that risk become disproportionate to the benefit.
Competence: A combination of skills, knowledge, education, training and aptitude which
means a person is able to perform an activity to an expected standard.
Controls: Precautionary measures which mitigate risk by means of engineering design or
process rather than operating procedures.

RMR-HSMS-P-001 Page |3
Printed documents are uncontrolled
Elimination: Complete removal of a hazard.
Engineering Controls: Designed controls which reduce risks – eg ventilation, machine
guards, layout of machinery, etc.
Harm: Acute or chronic injury or ill-health to people.
Hazard: Source, situation or act (or combination of these) which has the potential to cause
harm. There are five broad categories of hazards – physical, chemical, biological,
ergonomic and psychological.
Hazard Effect: The potential effect of hazards on people.
Isolation/Segregation: Activities undertaken to isolate a hazard from impacting on people
(e.g. isolation procedures for low hanging cables, lock-out/tag-out, segregated storage
areas)
Likelihood: The probability or potential frequency of a hazard being realized.
PPE: (Personal Protective Equipment): Equipment which is worn to protect the wearer from
immediate hazards.
Procedures/Administration: Working methods used to mitigate risks. These should only
be used where elimination, substitution and isolation have already been implemented, and
are often used to manage low risk activities being done by competent people.
Quantitative Assessment: Objective risk assessment conducted by specialists with results
expressed numerically or graphically, where probabilities are calculated for the likelihood of
a hazard being realized.
Qualitative Assessment: A subjective method of assessment based on the judgement of
experienced and competent personnel, where risk is assigned a value of Low, Medium or
High.
Reduction in Personnel / Time Exposure: Reducing the risks to workers by minimizing the
amount of time personnel are exposed to a hazard such as noise, repetitive motion,
vibration, heat, some chemical hazards, etc.
Residual Risk: The risk that remains after all the identified control measures have been put
in place.
Risk: The result of the Hazard Severity multiplied by the Likelihood of its occurrence
(whether of a single unwanted event leading to injury or ill-health, or of a chronic exposure
leading to ill-health).
Risk Assessment: A careful examination of anything in the workplace which could cause
injury or ill-health. The Risk Assessment should take into account the effectiveness of any
existing controls. If the risk is determined to be too high, action to reduce the risk must be
taken.
Risk Reduction Hierarchy: A hierarchy of actions which must be undertaken to reduce risk
to ALARP. (Each term is explained later):
 Eliminate hazard
 Reduce or replace the hazard
 Prevent contact with the hazard
 Safe system of work (SSOW – procedures, training, warning signs, etc.)
 PPE
Substitute: Using a less hazardous material or work method in order to reduce risk.

RMR-HSMS-P-001 Page |4
Printed documents are uncontrolled
6.0 RESPONSIBILITIES
Management shall:
 Provide sufficient resources (manpower, material/equipment, finance) to ensure that the
risks to personnel can be reduced to ALARP.
 Only authorise work or projects when they are satisfied risk has been suitably mitigated
or controlled.

HSE Manager shall:

 Ensure suitable and sufficient assessment of risks to the health and safety of employees,
or any third parties affected by our work activities.
 Ensure that risk assessments are suitably recorded, reviewed and maintained.

HSE Co-ordinator shall:

 Ensure that risk assessments are conducted within their area of responsibility
 Train supervisors and workers in how to conduct risk assessments
 Maintain the hazard register
 Verify risk assessments are suitable and sufficient
 Track corrective actions identified in risk assessments to closure
 Maintain records of risk assessments
 Ensure that risk assessments are reviewed as required.

Project Managers / Supervisors shall:

 Participate in risk assessments
 Provide appropriate information, instruction and training to ensure competence of
employees with regard to the risks to their health and safety.

Employees shall:
 Participate in risk assessments for their work activity or location
 Understand the hazards and control measures associated with their work activity /
location.
 Attend training as required

6.1.2 Hazard identification and assessment of risks and opportunities

6.1.2.1 Hazard identification.
The RMR shall establish, implement and maintain a process (es) for hazard identification
that is ongoing and proactive. The process (es) shall take into account, but not be limited to:

 How work is organized, social factors (including workload, work hours, victimization,
harassment and bullying), leadership and the culture in the organization.
 Routine and non-routine activities and situations, including hazards arising from:

1. Infrastructure, equipment, material, substances and the physical conditions of

the workplace.
2. Product and services design, research, development, testing, production,
assembly, construction, service delivery, maintenance and disposal.
3. Human factor;
4. How the work is performed;

 Past relevant incidents, internal or external to the organization, including emergencies,

and their causes;
 Potential emergency situations;
 people, including consideration of:

RMR-HSMS-P-001 Page |5
Printed documents are uncontrolled
 1. Those with access to the workplace and their activities, including workers,
contractors, visitors and other persons;
2. Those in the vicinity of the workplace who can be affected by the activities of
the organization;
3. Workers at a location not under the direct control of the organization;
 Other issues, including consideration of:
1. the design of work areas, processes, installations, machinery/equipment,
operating procedures and work organization, including their adaptation to the
needs and capabilities of the workers involved;
2. Situations occurring in the vicinity of the workplace caused by work-related
activities under the control of the organization;
3. Situations not controlled by the organization and occurring in the vicinity of the
workplace that can cause injury and ill health to persons in the workplace;
 Changes in knowledge of, and information about, hazards.
6.1.2.2 Assessment of OH&S risks and other risks to the OH&S management
system
RMR shall establish, implement and maintain a process (es) to:
 Assess OH&S risks from the identified hazards, while taking into account the
effectiveness of existing controls;
 Determine and assess the other risks related to the establishment, implementation,
operation and maintenance of the OH&S management system.

The RMR’s methodology( ies) and criteria for the assessment of OH&S risks shall be defined
with respect to their scope, nature and timing to ensure they are proactive rather than
reactive and are used in a systematic way. Documented information shall be maintained and
retained on the methodology (ies) and criteria.
6.1.2.3 Assessment of OH&S opportunities and other opportunities for the
OH&S management system
RMR shall establish, implement and maintain a process (es) to assess:
 OH&S opportunities to enhance OH&S performance, while taking into account planned
changes to the RMR, its policies, its processes or its activities and:
1. opportunities to adapt work, work organization and work environment to
workers;
2. opportunities to eliminate hazards and reduce OH&S risks;
 Other opportunities for improving the OH&S management system.

7.0 RISK ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE

7.1 Six Steps to Risk Assessment
Risk assessments are conducted on facilities / locations as well as activities. In each case,
the six-step approach should be used:
1. Identify the activities (a list of activities including location, equipment,
substances and personnel involved)
2. Identify the hazards (based on the five broad categories of hazards shown
later in this procedure)
3. Estimate the risk. Use the risk matrix to identify the effect of the hazard and
the likelihood or frequency of exposure. Take into consideration who could be
harmed and how (human factors, behaviour and individual susceptibility to
harm being relevant here). Does the value mean the risk is high, medium or
low?
4. Evaluate the risk, taking into consideration effectiveness of existing controls,
confirm whether the risk is low enough or whether additional controls are
needed. If more control is needed, follow the hierarchy of risk controls to find
ways to give more protection (section 7 of this procedure).

RMR-HSMS-P-001 Page |6
Printed documents are uncontrolled
 5. Record the findings on the risk assessment form1 and implement the new
controls if required.
6. Review and continuously monitor the risk assessment (risk assessments to
be reviewed at least every three years)

7.2 Risk Matrix

RELIABLE MACHINERY RENTALS Risk Assessment Matrix (see Section 10.0), gives
definitions of what constitute levels of risk for Low, Medium and High and should be used to
determine the acceptable level of risk during the assessment.
RELIABLE MACHINERY RENTALS Risk Assessment Form (RMR-HSMS-P001.F002)
should be used to document the risk assessment.

7.3 Risk Assessment Using Checklists

In some cases, the risk assessment may be completed by using an approved checklist and
identifying corrective actions to reduce risk without completing the risk assessment process.
Therefore, RELIABLE MACHINERY RENTALS has provided checklists for the following:
 Display screen equipment / workstation ergonomics: RMR-HSMS-P-001.F003
 Office facilities: RMR-HSMS-P-001.F004
 Lifting operations: RMR-HSMS-P-001.F005
 Road transportation: Journey Management Plan: RMR-HSMS-GP-005.F001

7.4 Reviewing RELIABLE MACHINERY RENTALS Risks / Risk Assessments

Each Branch Manager, or HSE Coordinator if assigned, is responsible for developing a risk
register showing whether or not people could be exposed to the various hazards during their
work with RELIABLE MACHINERY RENTALS. This document will be reviewed and updated
 annually
 as a result of non-conformities or incidents
 change in location, equipment or facilities which changes the risks
 change in legislation which impacts risk assessments

7.5 Training to conduct risk assessments

Risk assessment skills are critical to ensure achieve quality and consistency of results.
Therefore, all personnel taking part in risk assessment will be suitably trained. In
implementing this requirement, it is noted that we must take into consideration the diversity
and competence levels of the workforce.
Training will be completed to:
 Ensure that personnel can be involved in the risk assessment process.
 Drive awareness and increase personnel risk perception levels influencing behaviours.
 Communicate the workplace hazards and risks through participation.
 Ensure consistency of approach and understanding.

Training will consist of:

 The principles of risk assessment.
 When to conduct a risk assessment.
 How to conduct a risk assessment
 Hierarchy of risk controls
 RELIABLE MACHINERY RENTALS risk assessment procedure and associated forms

RMR-HSMS-P-001 Page |7
Printed documents are uncontrolled
 How to use the risk matrix to estimate and evaluate risk
 Requirements for team membership and competency of individuals.
 Responsibilities of team members.

Training will occur:

 Prior to involvement in Risk Assessment to provide an understanding of the process and
enable participation.
 Prior to becoming a Risk Assessment leader.

7.6 Inputs into the Risk Assessment Process

Typical inputs will include the following:
 Reasonably foreseeable hazards / risks associated with the location, work environment
and work activities
 Legal and other requirements (what hazards are specifically required to be managed and
how)
 Information on incidents and accidents both within the company and in external
organisations with similar risk profiles.
 Non-conformances
 Management system audit results
 Communications / complaints from personnel and other interested parties
 Information from consultation with workers, review and improvement activities
in the workplace
 Information on industry practice, typical hazards related to RELIABLE
MACHINERY RENTALS activities, incidents and accidents having occurred in
similar organisations
 Existing health conditions of the workers involved (if relevant)
 Information on the facilities and activities of the company at the Dubai Office, Branch
Offices and project sites. This may include :
 Site Plan(s)
 Information on hazardous materials (e.g. chemicals or waste products)
 Monitoring data (e.g. noise)
 Workplace environmental data

7.7 Outputs of the Risk Assessment Process

Outputs will include but not be limited to the following:
 Hazard list
 Estimation of the risks associated with the identified hazards and whether or not this is
acceptable to the company
 Objectives and actions to reduce identified risks and any follow-up activities to monitor
progress in their reduction
 Identification of the safe system of work, competency and training requirements to
implement the control measures as appropriate.

7.8 Determining that risk has been reduced ALARP

The RELIABLE MACHINERY RENTALS Risk Assessment Matrix is used to determine
whether risk has been reduced to ALARP. Participants in the risk assessment use their
experience, competence and knowledge to decide whether any further effort to reduce risk
would be disproportionate in terms of cost or effort.
Hazards and tasks on the hazard register should be assessed according to the Likelihood of
the incident or exposure and the Severity of that incident or exposure in terms of human

RMR-HSMS-P-001 Page |8
Printed documents are uncontrolled
injury or ill-health. The risk matrix can also be used to assess environmental impacts and
business risks including asset damage and reputation.
Tasks with a risk rating of 1-6 are considered low risk (Acceptable) and do not require the
formal completion of a risk assessment form.
Tasks rated from 8-12 are considered to be Medium and should be documented on the risk
assessment form. If, after implementing the new controls the task is now considered a low
risk the task may proceed as normal.
If the risk rating remains Medium after the risk assessment process then it can proceed with
local management approval. In some cases, clients will require this task to be controlled
through the Permit to Work system. Before the task starts, a Pre-job Safety Briefing / Tool
Box Talk must be carried out to verify that all personnel are aware of the risks and required
controls.
Tasks with a rating of 15-25 are considered to be High Risk (Unacceptable) and require
completion of a detailed risk assessment. If the risk rating remains High after the risk
assessment process, the task must be further evaluated and must not start without Senior
Management approval.

7.9 Risk Assessment Records

The company’s risk assessments are held on file at the relevant work location.

8.0 RISK MANAGEMENT

Risk Management is a continuous process of identification and assessment combined with
suitable and sufficient measures to prevent or reduce impact of undesirable outcomes.
8.1 Reducing Risk
A choice of actions, leading from the most effective to the least effective, which must be
undertaken to reduce risk to ALARP.

RMR-HSMS-P-001 Page |9
Printed documents are uncontrolled
 a) Eliminate hazard – completely remove the hazard, eliminate a task, change
the task to eliminate people from the process.
b) Reduce or replace hazard – change a hazardous substance for a less
hazardous one, reduce the time of exposure to a hazard, reduce the number
of people exposed to the hazard. Install detection systems which identify a
hazardous situation and initiate an alarm or shutdown.
c) Prevent contact with the hazard – keep workers away from the hazard by
totally enclosing the process, such as machine guards on equipment and
machinery to prevent people accessing moving parts, by stopping the
movement before access can be gained or with a physical barrier that keeps
the person away from the movement or source of energy. Use of permanent
or temporary barriers, such as on walkways at height or at the base of
scaffolding to prevent it being struck by vehicles or to prevent pedestrians
walking underneath it.
d) Safe systems of work - ways of working to minimise risk. These include:
 Safe work procedures – methods of carrying out tasks safely
 Permit-to-work systems – formal written systems to control certain
types of work that are potentially hazardous. A permit to work specifies
the work to be done and the precautions to be taken and is typically
used for high-risk tasks, such as working with high-voltage electrical
equipment, working in confined spaces, hot work (welding or burning),
and work at height. At the present time there is no requirement to
implement a permit to work system for RELIABLE MACHINERY
RENTALS activities. However, RELIABLE MACHINERY RENTALS
clients may have PTW systems in place and RELIABLE MACHINERY
RENTALS will comply with those requirements.
 Safety rules – lists of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’, such as ‘hearing protection
must be worn in this area’ or ‘in case of an emergency, phone…’.
 Training (whether classroom or on the job)
 Warning signs and reminders (such as “high noise area”, “slippery
surface”)
e) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect people from specific risks
(e.g. respiratory protection when working with hazardous substances) and
general risks (e.g. hearing protection in noisy areas). RELIABLE
MACHINERY RENTALS PPE requirements are listed in the PPE Procedure.

8.2 General Guide for Managing Risks

As a general guide, the following arrangements can be implemented for managing risks:
 Risks which are high consequence, and high likelihood: Implement additional controls
and active monitoring, through supervision, behavioural safety programmes.
 Risks which are low likelihood but high consequence: Emergency planning, based on
credible scenarios for the work location and work activity.
 Risks which are high likelihood but low consequence: Workplace rules such as hold the
handrail, good housekeeping, etc.
 Risks which are low likelihood and low consequence: Regular reviewing, such as
monthly inspections.

8.3 Monitoring the effectiveness of risk management arrangements

RELIABLE MACHINERY RENTALS monitors the effectiveness of risk management
arrangements proactively through the audit/inspection program and reactively through
incident reporting.

RMR-HSMS-P-001 P a g e | 10
Printed documents are uncontrolled
RMR-HSMS-P-001 P a g e | 11
Printed documents are uncontrolled
9.0 TYPICAL HAZARDS
Below is a list of typical hazards to be considered during risk assessments.

Hazard
Physical hazard Hazard effect / potential to result in
Severity
Sharp edge Cuts / lacerations 3
Slip / trip / fall – bruise, fractured bones,
Obstacles / obstructions 2
etc.
Fall from height >2m Severe Injury / fatality 4-5
Slippery surfaces (spillages) Slip / fall – bruise, fracture 2
Fall from height <2m Minor injury 2
Dropped objects Bruises, broken bones, etc. 3
Moving parts – rotating equipment,
Lacerations, amputation, crushed bones 3-4
etc.
Entanglement – clothing / jewellery /
Cuts, crushes, amputation. 3-4
hair caught in moving parts
Rings caught on hooks, handrails, Degloving – skin and flesh stripped off the
4
etc. bone
Primary hazard: Impact / force of the
4-5
released energy leading to injury / death
Pressure
Secondary hazard: fall / impact on solid
3-4
objects
Pressure - ejection of fluids / Puncture wounds 2-3
particles Eye injury 3
Stored energy – sudden release
Impact injuries – broken bones, etc. 3
(e.g. in springs, cables, etc.)
High velocity flying particles – dust,
Skin injuries / eye injuries 3
metal shavings, grit, etc.
Pinches / nips – two hard edges
Pinched skin / flesh – cuts, bruises 2
coming together
Guillotine – two hard or sharp edges
Laceration, amputation 4
sliding past each other
Electricity / electrical current Burns, electrical shock, electrocution, fire 4-5
Arcing, internal injuries, dismemberment,
High voltage electricity 4-5
death
Caught between moving / stationary
objects – during transportation Crush, severe injuries, death 4-5
operations (e.g. forklift, trucks, etc.)
Caught between moving / stationary
Crush, severe injuries, death 4-5
objects – during lifting operations
Dropped loads Crush, severe injuries, death 4-5
Fire / explosion – source of ignition
in flammable / explosive atmosphere
– hot work
Burns, impact injury, death 4-5
Fire / explosion – source of ignition
in flammable / explosive atmosphere
- static discharge
Ionising Radiation – radioactive Depends on energy source, duration and
sources – alpha, beta, gamma, x- frequency of the exposure - systemic 2-4
ray effects on human body
Non-ionising Radiation – ultra-violet
Eye disease / cataracts 3
(from sunlight)
Non-ionising Radiation – ultra-violet
Arc eye / eye disease / cataracts 3
(from welding)
Temperature extremes – very hot or Acute: Scald, burn, blister
very cold surfaces or working Chronic: heat stress / exhaustion leading 3
conditions to fatigue, ill-health and potential for death.

RMR-HSMS-P-001 P a g e | 12
Printed documents are uncontrolled
 Hazard
Physical hazard Hazard effect / potential to result in
Severity
Primary effect: Hearing threshold shift
3
Noise above 85dB(A) for more than (long-term damage).
8 hours Secondary effect: poor communication
2
leading to human failure, stress
Primary effect: Pain. Temporary or
permanent deafness. Tinnitus - leading to 3
Noise at or above 97dB for very stress and depression.
short time (minutes) Secondary effect: poor communication
leading to human failure; failure to hear 3
warning alarms or instructions.
Diminished reactions, illness, brain
Lack of oxygen 4-5
damage, death
Violence Stress, injury, death 4-5
Poor road conditions
Vehicle overturn / crash leading to injury 4-5
Excessive speed

Ergonomic hazard
Repetitive motion / movements
Static posture
Awkward posture
Mechanical obstruction (e.g. hard
edge of desk or work bench)
Hazardous manual handling such
as
 lifting more than 25kg
 lifting and twisting
 bending
 lifting or holding above
shoulder height
 awkward loads (e.g. no
handles / grip / uneven
centre of gravity)
Vibration
Heat, humidity
Inadequate, excessive or incorrect
lighting
Human factors engineering –
inadequate design / controls / man-
machine interface
Hazard
Hazard effect / potential to result in
Severity
Cumulative trauma disorder, repetitive
3
strain injury, disability
Back / neck ache, circulation problems,
2
fatigue
Circulatory problems, pain, tingling, etc. 2
Circulatory problems, pain, tingling, etc. 2
Exertion: strains, sprains, pain, backache,
slipped disks, etc.
3-4
Dropped loads: crushes, fractures, etc.
Numbness, tingling, feeling of ill health,
fatigue, can lead to permanent tissue
3
damage; work related upper limb disorders,
hand-arm vibration syndrome
Fatigue, heat stress, heat exhaustion,
leading to ill health and potential for human 3
failure through diminished reactions, etc.
Primary effect: glare / eye strain / potential
2
to induce seizure (strobe effect)
Secondary effect: failure to identify other
hazards through darkness, veiling or strobe 2
effect
Potential to lead to human failure, resulting
3
in accident and injuries

Hazard
Chemical hazard Hazard effect / potential to result in
Severity
Acid Burns, disfigurement, asphyxiation (vapour) 4
Burns, disfigurement, asphyxiation (vapour) 3
Alkali
Allergic reactions (dermatitis, etc.) 3

RMR-HSMS-P-001 P a g e | 13
Printed documents are uncontrolled
 Hazard
Chemical hazard Hazard effect / potential to result in
Severity
Local or systemic effects; allergic reactions
Inhalable dusts (from 10 – 100
(e.g. asthma), lung disease, permanent 3-4
microns)
disability, early death
Respirable dusts (smaller than 7 Local or systemic effects; Lung disease,
3-4
microns) permanent disability, early death
Lung disease, permanent disability, early
Respirable fibres (e.g. asbestos) 3-4
death
Poison / Toxins (man-made) Temporary or permanent ill-health. Death. 4-5
Toxic atmosphere (e.g. H2S, CO2,
4-5
CO)
Acute effect: Irritation, respiratory reaction,
Above STEL (15 minute limit) 2-3
burns
Chronic effect: dermatitis, industrial asthma,
Above LTEL (8 hour limit) 3-4
pneumonia
At or above IDLH Asphyxiation, brain damage, fatality 4-5
Nausea, headaches, fatigue, lung disease,
Welding fumes 3
diseases of the central nervous system
Narcosis – drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue,
Vapours – hydrocarbon, solvents, confusion, leading to human failure.
3
etc. Potential for dependency / substance
abuse.
Vapours, gases, dusts in ignitable
concentrations (refer to Classified Fire / explosion 4-5
Areas)
Irritants Acute reaction such as itching, burning 2
Acute or chronic reactions. Harmful
Harmful substances often target specific organs or 3
body systems.

Hazard
Biological hazard Hazard effect / potential to result in
Severity
Bacteria (e.g. e.coli, salmonella, Illness, vomiting, diarrhoea, lung disease,
3
staphylococci, legionella) etc.
Virus (common cold, ‘flu, swine flu, Illness, disease (contagious between
3
etc.) humans)
Virus - H5N1 (risk is from domestic
Potential for illness, disease (not known to
birds such as geese, ducks – not 3
be contagious between humans)
from pigeons)
Virus – Blood borne pathogens, Illness, disease, social stigma, etc.
4
hepatitis, HIV/AIDS (contagious between humans)
Fungi (moulds, spores, etc.) Illness (e.g. asthma) 3

Hazard
Psychological hazard Hazard effect / potential to result in
Severity
Stress 3
Diminished responses; human failure
Violence (or threat of violence) 3
(errors, mistakes); reduced performance
Phobias / fears 3

10.0 RISK MATRIX

See RMR-HSMS-P-001.F001

RMR-HSMS-P-001 P a g e | 14
Printed documents are uncontrolled