HIRA

For example:

A Hazard can more than one risk. If we look at the hazard “ELECTRICITY” the risks associated with it can be electrocution that can lead to injury or death. But faulty “ELECTRICITY” can also damage to equipment.

5.     HOW TO MANAGE HAZARDS AND RISK?

Remember what we learned: Every person has the right to a safe working environment. It is there for the duty of every employer to put measures in place to:

i.      Identify any Hazards in the Workplace

ii.    Eliminate or minimize all the risks associated with the Hazard

iii.   Check if the control measures are working

iv.   Review the control measures at least once a year, if the situation in the workplace changes or after an accident / incident.

The hierarchy of hazard control has five levels, with those at the top of the list being the most effective. They can be summarized as:

·         Eliminate the hazard

·         Substitute a less hazardous material or process

·         Engineering controls

·         Administration controls

·         Personal protective equipment

A.   Eliminating of Hazards:

·         Hazards can be eliminated by removing the hazard of the workplace or changing certain steps in the process that involves a hazardous material. They may also be eliminated by redesigning a process to eliminate the use of hazardous equipment, machines, tools, or materials.

B.   Substitution:

·         Substitution is a form of hazard elimination, and the two may be combined on some hierarchy of hazard control lists. Substitution involves replacing something that is hazardous, with something that is not hazardous. A typical example is replacing a solvent-based paint with a water-based paint. This eliminates the harmful fumes and flammable vapours that result from using, and cleaning up after using a solvent-based paint.

·         Care must be taken to ensure a new hazard is not introduced into the workplace when substituting one material for another.

C.   Engineering Controls

When a hazard cannot be removed through elimination or substitution, the next best option is to use engineering controls. In this case the hazard is not eliminated, but workers are protected from the hazard. The basic idea is to design the work environment, and the work to be done, such that exposure to hazards is eliminated or reduced. For example, if a machine has moving parts, a guard may be added to prevent physical access to the moving parts.

Guarding moving parts is often referred to as “enclosure and isolation.” Other examples of enclosure and isolation include:

·         Placing MCCs in a separate room – separates workers from arc flash hazards.

·         Using curtains around locations where welding is taking place – protects workers from the intense light.

·         Placing barriers around fans and other noisy equipment – reducing sound levels.

·         Fencing around electrical switch gear – prevents access to high voltage equipment.

·         Engineering controls are also used to remove a hazard. A common example of this is using a fume hood to contain and remove airborne hazards.

D.   Administrative Controls

·         Administrative controls are used to direct people to work in a safe manner. They include procedures, warning signs and labels, and training. Administrative controls do not eliminate hazards, but restrict access to those hazards through the use of procedures and rules.

·         OHS ACT divides these types of controls into two categories, safe work practices and administrative controls. OHS ACT defines safe work practices as:

·         Safe work practices include your company’s general workplace rules and other operation-specific rules. For example, even when a hazard is enclosed, exposure can occur when maintenance is necessary. Through established safe work practices, employee exposure to hazards can be further reduced.

·         OHS ACT considers administrative controls to be those other measures, other than work practices, used to reduce employee exposure to hazards. This includes measures such as additional relief workers, exercise breaks, and rotation of workers. The controls OHS ACT defines as “administrative controls” are normally used in conjunction with other controls that more directly prevent or control exposure to the hazard.

In general, administrative controls include:

·         Limiting the amount of time someone is exposed to hazards.

·         Written operating procedures.

·         Safety and health rules for employees.

·         Alarms, signs, and labels.

·         Training (and refresher training).

Using signs and labels to warn about hazards is not only a common administrative control; it is required by OHS Act.

E.   Personal Protective Equipment

When no other option is available, personal protective equipment (PPE) is used. This is the least effective, and least desirable, method of protecting workers, and is considered as the last line of defence against hazards. If the PPE is damaged or fails, the worker will be exposed to the hazard.

Summary

Knowing, understanding, and applying the hierarchy of hazard control will result in a safer workplace. Always like to use the method that is highest on the list. Eliminating the hazard is always the best option, and using PPE the least desirable option.