Industrial Safety & Risk

Management

ENGR.SHAZMA NISAR

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 Learning Outcomes
• Explain the importance of planning in the context of
health and safety management systems.
• Explain the principles and practice of risk assessment.
• Explain the general principles of control and basic
hierarchy of risk reduction measures.
• Identify key sources of health and safety information.

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 THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING

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 Planning

• 3rd Step in ILO-OHS

2001.
• Part of PDCA cycle.
• Essential in the
systematic
management of
health and safety.

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 SMART Objectives

• Specific - clearly defined, precise.

• Measurable - towards a target, quantified.
• Achievable - it can be done.
• Reasonable - within timescale and
resources.
• Time-bound - deadline, timescale,
e.g. review all 48 risk
assessments within a
12 month period.

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 Group Discussion Point

Give an example of an objective which isn’t

SMART.

Now give a SMART alternative.

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 Setting Objectives

Setting objectives requires consideration of:

– Who is setting objectives?
– Managers? Safety advisers?
• How will objectives be set at each functional
level?
– Cascaded throughout organisation.
– Linked to personal targets and appraisals?
• Legal and other requirements:
– May link objectives to standards.

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 Setting Objectives

Requires consideration of:

– Hazards and risks:
– Objectives aim to control risks in organisation.
• Technological options available:
– Adopt new technology.
• Financial/operational/business requirements:
– Integrate H&S with business objectives.
• Views of interested parties:
– Employees through consultation.
– Other stakeholders.
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 Keeping Up-To-Date

Essential to be up-to-date:
– Especially with law.
Various methods including:
– HSE newsletters – http://www.hse.gov.uk
– EU law – http://osha.europa.eu/en/legislation
http://osha.europa.eu/en/oshnetwork/focal-points
– Websites – http://www.osha.gov/
http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/WorkSafe/
– Practitioner publications and subscriptions.
– Conferences.

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 End of Section Quiz

1. What are SMART objectives?

2. How can safety and health practitioners
keep up-to-date with legal requirements?

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 PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF RISK
ASSESSMENT

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 Legal Requirements

ILO Convention C155 Article 15.

Imposes a duty to ensure a workplace is so far
as is reasonably practicable without risk to
employees.

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 Reasonable Practicability

“Reasonable practicability”:
– Balance of cost vs risk of harm.
– Cost is time, effort and money.

Basis of a risk assessment.

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 Hazard and Risk

Hazard – something with the

potential to cause harm.

Risk – the likelihood that a

hazard will cause harm –
together with its severity.

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 Whole Group Activity

In 5 minutes identify as many hazards as

possible present in the training environment.

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 Hazard Categories

Physical:
– E.g. electricity, noise, vibration, radiation,
machinery.
Chemical:
– E.g. mercury, solvents, carbon monoxide.
Biological:
– E.g. legionella bacteria, hepatitis.
Ergonomic:
– E.g. manual handling, repetitive tasks.
Psychological:
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– E.g. stress, violence.
 Objectives of Risk Assessment

Prevent:
• Death and personal injury.
• Other types of loss incident.
• Breaches of statute law
which might lead to
enforcement action and/or
prosecution.
• The direct and indirect costs
that follow on from
accidents.
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 Types of Incident
• Accident.
• Injury accident.
• Damage only accident.
• Near-miss.
• Dangerous occurrence.
• Work related Ill-health.

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 Relationship Between
Incident Types
Published by the Health and Safety Executive and licensed under the Open Government
Licence v1.0: (HSG245)

Hazard Near-Miss Injury

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 Accident Ratios

Frank Bird Accident Triangle

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 Risk Assessors
• Competent people:
– Training, knowledge, experience.
• Team approach is beneficial:
– Workers familiar with tasks.
– H&S specialists.
– Technical specialists.
– Line managers.
– Worker safety representatives.

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 Suitable and Sufficient
Risk Assessment
State the name/competence of assessor.
Identify significant hazards and risks.
Identify persons at risk.
– Workers and others, e.g. visitors and vulnerable.
Evaluate effectiveness of current controls.
Identify additional controls.
Enable employer to prioritise controls.
Record significant findings.
Appropriate to nature of work.
Proportionate to risks.
State time period valid.
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 The 5 Steps to Risk Assessment

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 Step 1: Identify the Hazards
Safety Health
Physical injury: Occupational disease or ill-
• Slips, trips and falls. health:
• Falling objects. • Physical.
• Collisions. • Chemical.
• Trapping/crushing. • Biological.
• Machinery. • Ergonomic.
• Electricity. • Psychological.
• Transport.
• Chemicals.
• Drowning.
• Asphyxiation.
• Fire/explosion.
• Animals.
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 Hazard Identification
• Inspections of the workplace.
• Task analysis:
– Analyses job components before
the job starts.
• Legislation:
– Standards, guidance documents.
• Manufacturers' information:
– Safe use, maintenance, cleaning.
• Incident data:
– Accidents, near-misses, ill-
health.
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 Task Analysis
S elect the task.
R ecord the stages of the task.
E valuate risks associated with each stage.
D evelop the safe working method.
I mplement the safe working method.
M onitor to ensure effectiveness.

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 Step 2: Identify the People at Risk
• Workers/operators.
• Maintenance staff.
• Cleaners.
• Contractors.
• Visitors.
• Members of the public
(also trespassers).

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 Vulnerable Groups

People at special risk:

• Young people.
• New or expectant mothers.
• Disabled workers.
• Lone workers.

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 Step 3: Evaluate the Risk

What is risk?
It is a measure of the likelihood of harm
occurring and the severity of that harm.

Or to put it more simply:

Risk = Likelihood × Severity

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 Step 3: Evaluate the Risk

The Risk Evaluation can be:

• Qualitative (Based on
Opinion)
Uses words to describe
likelihood and severity, e.g.
high, medium, low, etc.
• Semi-Quantitative
Uses words and numbers to
describe likelihood and
severity.
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 Step 3: Evaluate the Risk

Likelihood Severity

1 = extremely unlikely 1 = very minor

2 = unlikely 2 = first aid injury

3 = possible 3 = lost time injury

4 = likely 4 = hospital treatment

5 = very probable 5 = disabling injury

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 Risk Assessment Matrix

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 Semi-Quantitative Risk Evaluation
Advantages of semi-quantitative risk evaluation:
• Clarity of thinking.
• Consistency of approach.
• Prioritisation.
• Timescale.
Risk Rating Action and Timescales
15 and above Unacceptable
9 to 14 Tolerable
5 to 8 Tolerable (must be reduced to
below 5)
4 or below Acceptable
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 Residual, Acceptable and Tolerable
Risk
If risk is unacceptable, more action is needed.
If risk is lower it may be tolerable for a short
period of time.
If risk is acceptable the risk is adequately
controlled.

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 Guidance and Legal Standards
What does national law require?
• Sometimes there are very clear
regulations and codes of practice
to be met.
• Often there is no set standard in
law – but guidance may be
available.
• Can you think of who might
provide guidance?

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 Guidance and Legal Standards

• International
standards.
• National legislation.
• Industry standards.
• Guidance from
regulators.

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 General Control Hierarchy
Eliminate the hazard. • Remove the source of the risk -
the most effective option.

• Engineering solutions provide

Create a safe place. physical protection.

Create a safe person. • Safe working methods - relies

heavily on safe behaviour.

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 General Control Hierarchy
E R I C Prevents Death (ERIC PD)
E liminate the hazard.
R educe or substitute the hazard.
I isolate (people from the hazard/ the hazard from
people).
C ontrol exposure (safe conditions, engineering,
procedures).
P ersonal protective equipment.
D iscipline (SSOW, training, supervision, enforcement).

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 Priorities and Timescales

High-risk = high priority actions.

Low-risk = low priority.

BUT risk and timescale are not the same:

Low cost, easy actions should be done even if
low priority.
Medium priority still needs rapid action.

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 Step 4: Record Significant Findings

Typical content:
• Activity/area assessed and hazards.
• Groups at risk.
• Evaluation of risks and adequacy of existing
control measures.
• Action plans for further precautions needed.
• Date and name of
competent person.
• Review date.
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 Step 5: Review
Significant change in:
• Process.
• Substances.
• Equipment.
• Workplace environment.
• Personnel.
• Law.
If it is no longer valid:
• Accident.
• Near-miss.
• Ill-health.
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 Group Syndicate Exercise
Lawn Mowing
Using task analysis, prepare a brief risk
assessment suggest control measures to
reduce the risks involved with this activity.
Use the 5x5 risk matrix we covered earlier.

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 Alternative Group Syndicate
Exercise
In groups, carry out a risk assessment on
these premises:
• Use Steps 1 to 4.
• Use a quantitative scoring system.
Present your findings to the other groups in
20 minutes.

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 Young Persons
• Under 18 (national law).
• Lack of experience.
• Physical and mental maturity.
• Poor risk perception.
• Influenced by peer group.
• Eager.
• Control measures:
• Prohibit certain high-risk activities, e.g. high-risk
machinery.
• Restrict work patterns and hours, e.g. no overtime.
• Train and supervise.
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 Expectant Women and Nursing
Mothers
Hazards:
• Certain chemicals, e.g. lead.
• Certain biological agents, e.g. rubella virus.
• Manual handling.
• Temperature extremes.
• Whole-body vibration.
• Ionising radiation.
• Night shifts.
• Stress.
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• Violence.
 Disabled Workers

Identify:
• Health and fitness criteria for
some jobs:
– E.g. eyesight requirements to
drive forklift trucks.
• Workers with known
disabilities:
– What are the implications of
their disability?

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 Lone Workers

“Workers who are separated from their work

colleagues.”
Lack assistance if things go wrong.
Communication with colleagues more difficult, i.e.:
– Out of eyesight.
– Out of earshot.

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 Lone Workers

Workers especially
vulnerable and more at risk:
• Of violence:
– E.g. prison officer, mental
health nurse.
• If they are injured or ill:
– E.g. confined space entry.

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 End of Section Quiz

1. Define “hazard” and “risk”.

2. Define “accident” “injury accident” and
“near-miss”.
3. What are the 5 steps to risk assessment?
4. What should a suitable and sufficient risk
assessment contain?
5. Who should be considered in a risk
assessment?
6. How is risk evaluated?
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 BASIC HIERARCHY OF RISK
CONTROL MEASURES

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 Safe Place/Safe Person
Collective protective measures:
Protect the whole workplace and everyone
in it.

Safe place:
Design, selection and engineering
of premises, plant, machinery, equipment,
processes and substances. – Technical.
– Procedural.
Safe person: – Behavioural.
Competence of workers who
have received adequate information,
instruction and training and follow safe
systems of work.
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 Technical, Procedural and
Behavioural Controls
Controls can be further classified as:
Technical:
– Equipment and engineered solutions.
Procedural:
– Safe systems of work, procedures, permits.
Behavioural:
– Training, awareness, competence.

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 Hierarchy of Control
Elimination.
Substitution.
Engineering controls:
– Isolation, total enclosure.
– Separation, segregation.
– Partial enclosure.
– Safety devices.
Administrative controls:
– Safe systems of work.
– Reduced exposure.
– Reduced time of exposure, dose.
– Information, instruction, training and
supervision.
Personal Protective Equipment
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(PPE).
 Hierarchy of Control
E liminate the hazard.
R educe or substitute the hazard.
I solate (people from hazard/ hazard from
people).

C ontrol exposure (engineering, procedures).

P ersonal protective equipment.
D iscipline (SSOW, training, supervision,
enforcement).

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ERIC Prevents Death
 Worked Example – Cleaning the
Oven
Current chemical is corrosive (burns):
– Eliminate – don’t clean the oven? Buy a new
oven? Don’t use chemicals?
– Substitute the corrosive chemical for a less
hazardous one?
– Isolate – keep others out of the kitchen.
– Procedures – follow instructions on tin.
– PPE – wear gloves as per instructions.

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 Group Syndicate Activity

You are the manager of a large, commercial

bakery. You have recently discovered that
flour dust can be harmful to the health of your
workers.
Flour is currently added by hand from sacks.
Assume no other controls are present
Using the hierarchy of control, identify
possible controls to reduce the risk of dust
inhalation.

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 Alternative
Group Syndicate Activity
• You are the manager of a domestic window
cleaning company.
• You are concerned by the potential for
injuries due to falls from height.
• Using the hierarchy of control, identify
possible controls to reduce the risk of falls.

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 Safety Signs

Prohibition Warning Mandatory

Safe Condition Fire-Fighting Equipment

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 Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE)
Employers should:
• Supply suitable PPE:
• Appropriate for risk.
• Ergonomic.
• Fits the wearer.
• Doesn’t increase overall risk.
• Complies with standards.
• Ensure compatibility of items.
• Suitable storage.
• Information, instruction and training.
• Enforce use of PPE.
• Replace or repair damaged or lost
items.
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 Whole Group Exercise

Discuss the benefits and limitations of

PPE as a risk control method.

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 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Benefits of PPE
• Interim control.
• Some situations only control
option.
• Emergency back-up.
• Cheap (short-term).
• Immediate protection.
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Limitations of PPE
• Doesn’t remove hazard.
• Only protects the wearer.
• Requires good fit.
• Relies on wearer.
• Requires training.
• Uncomfortable.
• May increase overall risk.
• Incompatibility.
• Unpopular so often unworn.
• Fails to danger.
• No good if wrongly selected.
• Contamination.
• Expensive long-term.
 End of Section Quiz

1. Outline the general hierarchy of control.

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 SOURCES OF HEALTH AND SAFETY
INFORMATION

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 Sources of Information

Sources can be
• internal, and
• external
to the organisation.

List all the internal and external sources you

can think of and discuss them.

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 Sources of Information
Internal External
• Accident records. • National legislation.

•
• Safety data sheets.
Medical records.
• Codes of practice.
• Risk assessments.
• Guidance notes.
• Maintenance reports.
• Operating instructions.
• Safety inspections. • Trade associations.
• Audit reports. • Safety publications.
• Safety committee minutes.
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 Source Organisations
International Labour Organisation (UN)
http://www.ilo.org

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (USA)

http://www.osha.gov

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU)

http://agency.osha.eu.int

Health and Safety Executive (UK)

http://www.hse.gov.uk

Worksafe (Western Australia)

http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/WorkSafe
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 End of Section Quiz

1. What internal sources of health and safety

information are there within an
organisation?
2. What external sources of information are
there?

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