Macro Vantage Levant HSE-ADV-2023-016

Macro Vantage Levant

MVL Health, Safety and Environment Advisory

Hazard Identification and Control

Hazards are always present – at work, in your car and at home. We may recognize hazards
differently because of our experiences, training and knowledge.

So, what is a Hazard?

There are many definitions for hazard but the most common definition when talking about workplace
health and safety is “A hazard is any source (object, material, substance, condition, practice, behavior
etc.) that has the potential to cause injury, illness or damage.”

Some of the most common Construction Hazards are: -

 Falls from height

 Electrocution
 Breathing in harmful contaminants
 Cave ins
 Heavy lifting
 Open holes
 Being struck by mobile equipment
 Defective tools
 Dropped objects etc.

Hazard Reporting

It is everyone’s job, regardless of role or seniority, to identify and control hazards to help protect
yourself and others from getting hurt and to prevent property and environmental damage. If you see
an unsafe act or condition, you must report it to your supervisor immediately.

Hazard Control

Once you have identified the hazards the next step is to develop and implement control measures.
How you control a hazard depends on the circumstances. Consider the seriousness of the risk and
then identify what controls are reasonable and practical in the circumstances.

Ways to deal with hazards

1. Elimination - Eliminate the workplace conditions, equipment, chemical or act that is causing the
hazard. Elimination is the best method of control, but it’s difficult to eliminate some hazards.
 Replace a toxic substance with a non-toxic substance.
 Replace broken tools.
 Insist workers wear personal protective equipment such as fall protection.

TRLC- MVL HSE Advisory

 Macro Vantage Levant HSE-ADV-2023-016
Macro Vantage Levant
MVL Health, Safety and Environment Advisory

2. Substitution - Substitution is the process of replacing a hazard with a less hazardous method,
equipment, chemical or condition.
 Replace a toxic substance with a less toxic substance.
 Replacing ladders with tower scaffolds.
 Changing high level vibrating equipment with newer equipment.

3. Engineering Controls - Engineer ways to eliminate or contain hazards.

 Add ventilation to remove toxic fumes.
 Installing guard rails to prevent fall hazards.
 Enclosing dangerous items of machinery or moving parts.

4. Administration - Create administrative policies and procedures that reduce exposure to hazards.
 Create specific job procedures for operating equipment.
 Banning work at height and lifting operations in bad weather.
 Enforcing a one-way traffic system on site.

5. Personal protective equipment (P.P.E) - This is the final approach to reducing hazards. Personal
protective equipment is your last line of defense.
 Personal protective equipment includes items such as safety glasses, steel-toed
boots, work gloves and hard hats.

A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERY THING IN ITS PLACE!

TRLC- MVL HSE Advisory