Hazard Identification

Hazard identification is a vital part of the workplace safety process.

I offer a Hazard Identification service for those employers who don’t have the time, expertise or knowledge to undertake and document the process.

I can simplify things for you with a package that identifies hazards, enters them in a Hazard Register, assesses the level of risk they pose and suggests ways of controlling them.

The basics of the Hazard Identification process are listed here for your information.

HAZARD ID PROCESS

Identification
• Walk around your workplace.
• Identify actual and potential hazards.
• Ask yourself “what if……..?”
• List the hazards.

Risk Assessment
Hazards are classified as Significant, Medium or Low risks.
• Significant Hazards
Ask yourself “Does this have the potential to kill or permanently disable someone?”
• Medium Risk Hazards
Ask yourself “Does this have the potential to cause a serious injury or illness that will temporarily disable someone?”
• Low Risk Hazards
Ask Yourself “Does this have the potential to cause a minor injury that would not disable someone?”

Control
Hazards must be controlled by Eliminating, Isolating or Minimising – In this order.
• List the hazards in your Hazard Register.
• Decide whether they are Significant, Medium or Low risks and decide how you will control them.
• The higher the risk, the more extensive the control measures need to be.
• Decide whether you can Eliminate, Isolate or Minimise the hazards and who will be responsible to do this.
• Advise all staff of the hazards and what you are doing about them.

Monitor
Hazards need to be monitored to ensure your control measures are effective.
Specify a timeframe to do this – Daily, Weekly, Monthly etc.

New Hazards
Encourage the reporting of new hazards and apply the same process to them as they arise.