Safety Risk Management Procedures

Introduction

The University is required to provide a workplace that is, as far as practicable, free from hazards in accordance with Section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984. These procedures set in place guidelines for staff, students and contractors of the University to identify, assess and control hazards at the University.

Definitions

Procedures

The following procedures are to be followed when identifying safety and health hazards, assessing their risks and implementing risk controls at the University. This procedure can be used to prevent hazards from occurring or recurring.

Additional information is provided in Inspecting the Workplace Policy and the Safety Guidance Note: Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control Procedures. This procedure should be used when completing the University’s Incident/Injury Report Form

Hazard Identification

Hazard identification is the process of identifying hazards in the workplace or for a work procedure. In order to understand what hazard identification involves, it is first necessary to understand the nature of hazards.

For further information on identifying hazards in the workplace, please see the Safety Guidance Note: Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control Procedures.

Workplace hazards can be divided into six groups:

• physical hazards such as noise, electricity, heat and cold;
• chemical hazards such as toxic gases, noxious fumes and corrosive liquids;
• ergonomic hazards such as the height of a workbench, the shape of a vehicle seat and the length of a control lever;
• radiation hazards, for example, from x-ray machines, high powered lasers, radioactive materials;
• psychological hazards such as stress from using equipment without proper training or instructions, overwork, or being coerced into using faulty equipment which carries a risk of injury; and
• biological hazards such as syringes containing potentially infected blood, specimen containers carrying potentially infected materials and Legionella bacteria and viruses from air conditioning systems.

Risk Assessment

Risk assessment is the process of assessing all of the risks associated with each of the hazards identified during the hazard identification process.

In assessing the risks, three essential steps are taken:

1. The probability or likelihood of an incident occurring is evaluated.
2. The severity of the potential consequences is calculated or estimated.
3. Based on these two factors, the risks are assigned priority for risk control through the use of a risk rating.

Risk assessment involves examining and evaluating the likelihood and severity (or consequence) of the potential outcomes in order to prioritise risks for control.

A Risk Management matrix has been adopted from AS4360 – Risk Management for use at the University. A matrix form is provided as Appendix one or can be downloaded from the Safety and Health’s homepage at http://www.safety.uwa.edu.au/

Step One – Consequence
What might be the consequence of a hazardous event or situation?

Step Two – Likelihood
How likely is it that a hazardous event or situation will occur?

Step Three – Risk Table
Calculate the degree of risk from the risk table.

Step four – Risk Assessment Outcome
The result of the risk matrix is compared with the criteria defined below and the required control strategies are implemented as outlined in the Risk Control section below.

E: extreme risk: immediate action required; notify supervisor, Head of School and the Safety and Health. If possible, the activity should be ceased immediately.

H: high risk: notify supervisor and safety and health representative and implement immediate action to minimise injury.

M: moderate risk: implement immediate action to minimise injury e.g. signs; supervisor remedial action required within five working days.

L: low risk; remedial action within one month (if possible), supervisor attention required.

Risk Control

Risk control provides a means by which risks can be systematically evaluated against a set of control options (the hierarchy of controls) to determine the most effective control method(s) for the risk(s) associated with each hazard. This process involves analysing the data collected during the hazard identification and risk assessment processes, and developing a strategic plan to control the risks identified.

The risk control process starts by considering the highest ranked risks, working down to the least significant. Each risk should be examined having regard to the "hierarchy of controls". This provides a method of systematically evaluating each risk to determine, firstly, if the causal hazard can be eliminated, and otherwise, to find the most effective control method for each risk.

The "Hierarchy of Controls" should be used at all times when implementing controls to eliminate the hazard or reduce the risk of a hazard causing loss at the University.

Hierarchy of controls

The hierarchy of controls is as follows:

1. Eliminate the hazard.
2. Substitute with a lesser hazard.
3. Use engineering controls to reduce hazard
4. Administrative controls such as workplace procedures.
5. Personal Protective Equipment.

In many cases, it will be necessary to use more than one control method. Back-up controls (such as personal protective equipment and administrative controls) should only be used as a last resort or as a support to other control measures.

Ongoing Evaluation

Monitoring and review is the final stage in the process. It is the means by which risk management is kept current and effective, as new hazards and those overlooked in the original process are identified and controlled.

Monitoring and review involves:

• the systematic re-implementation of the original OHS program steps of:
  • hazard identification
  • risk assessment
  • risk control

This is to ensure that the process was undertaken properly and that, in hindsight, the conclusions were correct

• ongoing monitoring of existing risk control measures to assess their effectiveness in light of changes and fluctuations in the workplace
• collection of data on any new hazards which may have arisen and the formulation of new control measures
• reviewing the risk management process to ensure that all new hazards identified are controlled.

Responsibilities

Please see the Responsibility and Accountability Policy for the specific responsibilities for safety and health at the University.

Appendix One – Risk Management Matrix