Give me a toolbox talk.

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CCOHS CCHST Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety + Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail Hazard and Risk # Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification ## On this page What is a hazard? What is hazard identification? When should hazard identification be done? How are hazards identified? What types of hazards are there? How do I know what is a hazard? Where can I find more information about hazards? What if I am new to the task or the workplace? ## What is a hazard? There are many definitions of hazard, but the most common definition when talking about workplace health and safety is "A hazard is any source of potential damage or harm to someone or something." The CSA Z1002 Standard "Occupational health and safety - Hazard identification and elimination and risk assessment and control" uses the following terms: - Harm - physical injury or damage to health. - Hazard - a potential source of harm to a worker. Basically, a hazard is the potential for harm or an adverse effect (for example, to people as health effects, to organizations as property or equipment losses, or to the environment). Please see the OSH Answers fact sheet on Hazard and Risk for more information. ## What is hazard identification? Hazard identification is part of the process used to evaluate if any particular situation, item, or thing may have the potential to cause harm. The term often used to describe the full process is risk assessment: Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification CCOHS

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# Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification (cont.) ## How do I know what is a hazard? (cont.) Where # can I find more information about hazards? It may be necessary to research what could be a hazard as well as how much harm that hazard might cause. Sources of information include: - Safety Data Sheets (SDSs). - Manufacturer's operating instructions, manuals, etc. - Test or monitor for exposure (occupational hygiene testing such as chemical or noise exposure). - Results of any job safety analysis. - Experiences of other organizations similar to yours. - Trade or safety associations. - Information, publications, alerts, etc., published by reputable organizations, labour unions, or government agencies. - Subject matter experts, stakeholders, and workers. - Physical demands analysis, job demands analysis. - Past experiences, statistics, and incident reports. ## What if I am new to the task or the workplace? If you are new to that task or to your workplace, to learn about the hazards of your job, you can: - Ask your supervisor. - Ask a member of the health and safety committee or your health and safety representative. - Ask about standard operating procedures and precautions for your job. - Check product labels and safety data sheets. - Pay attention to signs and other warnings in your work. - Watch for posters or instructions at the entrance of a chemical storage room that warn of hazardous products. - Ask about operating instructions, safe work procedures, processes, etc. Ask to review the risk assessment and relevant procedures before starting work. Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification CCOHS

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# Process Safety Management (cont.) ## Assessing the risk of the hazards (cont.) Risk assessment takes into account the severity of the consequences (e.g., the potential impact on people, environment, and property) and the probability or likelihood of the consequences occurring. Process safety often requires the use of modelling tools or other techniques for assessing the severity and probability. ## How can a workplace control the hazards? After the hazards have been identified and the risks assessed, appropriate control measures can be implemented, or existing controls can be modified if needed. It is important to have redundancies in place if a control measure fails or is breached. This higher level of protection can be accomplished by adopting a layer of controls. The hierarchy of controls, which is a step-by-step approach to eliminate or reduce the risk of workplace hazards, should be considered. The hierarchy of controls prioritizes controls from the most effective level of protection to the least effective level of protection. Elimination is the most effective method of control because it involves removing the source of the hazard. This control typically involves the removal of a hazardous substance or process. For example, removing a step in a process that is not needed. Substitution is also very effective and involves using an alternative chemical or process that is less hazardous. For example, replacing a highly toxic and flammable chemical used in a process with a safer alternative. Engineering Controls are very important for process safety and involve steps or methods that are built into the design of the plant, equipment, or process to minimize the hazard. They are a reliable way to remove or control workplace hazards as long as the controls are designed, used, and maintained properly. Examples of engineering controls include: - Appropriate ventilation - Pressure or explosion relief venting - Automated process controls for maintaining safe o…

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# Enclosure and Isolation These methods aim to keep the chemical "in" and the worker "out" (or vice versa). An enclosure keeps a selected hazard "physically" away from the worker. Enclosed equipment, for example, is tightly sealed and it is typically only opened for cleaning or maintenance. Other examples include "glove boxes" (where a chemical is in a ventilated and enclosed space, and the employee works with the material by using gloves that are built-in), abrasive blasting cabinets, or remote control devices. Care must be taken when the enclosure is opened for maintenance as exposure could occur if adequate precautions are not taken. The enclosure itself must be well maintained to prevent leaks. Isolation places the hazardous process "geographically" away from the majority of the workers. Common isolation techniques are to create a contaminant-free or noise-free booth either around the equipment or around the employee workstations. ## Ventilation Ventilation is a method of control that "adds" and "removes" air in the work environment. General or dilution ventilation can remove or dilute an air contaminant if designed properly. Local exhaust ventilation is designed to remove the contaminant at the source so it cannot disperse into the work space, and it generally uses lower exhaust rates than general ventilation (general ventilation usually exchanges the air in the entire room). Local exhaust ventilation is an effective means of controlling hazardous exposures but should be used when other methods (such as elimination or substitution) are not possible. Fan Figure 3 Example of Local Exhaust Ventilation The design of a ventilation system is very important and must match the particular process and product in use. Expert guidance should be sought. It is a very effective control measure but only if it is designed, tested, and maintained properly. Hazard and Risk - Hierarchy of Controls CCOHS

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# Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification (cont.) ## How do I know what is a hazard? (cont.) - Pinch points on machines (places where parts are very close together). - Objects that stick out (protrude) - Moving objects (conveyors, chains, belts, ropes, etc.) What could I fall from? (falls to lower levels) - Structures, tanks, silos. - Ladders, overhead walkways, elevating_platforms. - Roofs. - Trees or cliffs. - Trenches. What could I slip or trip on? (falls on the same level) - Obstructions on the floor and stairs. - Surface issues (wet, oily, icy, uneven). - Footwear that is in poor condition. How could I overexert myself? - Lifting (manual material handling). - Pulling or pushing. - Carrying. - Repetitive motions (work-related musculoskeletal disorders). - Awkward and static postures. What other situations could I come across? - Unknown or unauthorized people in the area. - A potentially violent situation. - Working alone. - Confined space. - Missing or damaged materials. - New equipment or procedures at the work site. - Fire or explosion. - Chemical spill or release. Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification CCOHS

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# Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification (cont.) ## What types of hazards are there? (cont.) - Biological - bacteria, viruses, fungi, insects, plants, and animals. - Chemical - depends on the physical, chemical, and toxic properties of the product - Ergonomic - repetitive movements, improper setup of workstations, etc. - Physical - radiation, magnetic fields, temperature extremes, pressure extremes (high pressure or vacuum), noise, vibration, etc. - Psychosocial - stress, violence, harassment, etc. - Safety. - slipping or tripping hazards, inappropriate machine guarding, equipment malfunctions or breakdowns. ## How do I know what is a hazard? Another way to look at health and safety in your workplace is to ask yourself the following questions. These are examples only. You may find other items or situations that can be a hazard. List any item that should be examined. During the risk assessment process, the level of harm will be assessed. What materials or situations do I come into contact with? Possibilities could include: - Electricity. - Chemicals (liquids, gases, solids, mists, vapours, etc.). - Temperature extremes of heat or cold (such as working outdoors, bakeries, foundries, or meat processing). - lonizing and non-ionizing radiation (such as x-rays, ultraviolet (sun) rays). - Asphyxiants (oxygen deficiency) - Working on or near water or ice-covered water. What materials or equipment could I be struck by? - Moving objects (such as forklifts, overhead cranes, vehicles). - Flying objects (such as sparks or shards from grinding). - Falling material (such as tools and equipment from above). What objects or equipment could strike or hit my body, or that part of my body might be caught in, on, or between? - Stationary or moving objects. - Protruding objects. - Sharp or jagged edges. Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification CCOHS

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# How is a risk assessment done? (cont.) - The methods and procedures used in the processing, use, handling, or storage of the substance, etc. - The actual and the potential exposure of workers (e.g., how many workers may be exposed, what that exposure is or will be, and how often they will be exposed). - The measures and procedures necessary to control such exposure by means of engineering controls, work practices, and hygiene practices and facilities. - The duration and frequency of the task (how long and how often a task is done). - The location where the task is done. - The machinery, tools, materials, etc., that are used in the operation and how they are used (e.g., the physical state of a chemical or lifting heavy loads for a distance). - Any possible interactions with other activities in the area and if the task could affect others (e.g., cleaners, visitors, etc.). - The lifecycle of the product, process, or service (e.g., design, construction, uses, decommissioning). - The education and training the workers have received. - How a person would react in a particular situation (e.g., what would be the most common reaction by a person if the machine failed or malfunctioned). It is important to remember that the assessment must take into account not only the current state of the workplace but any potential situations as well. By determining the level of risk associated with the hazard, the employer and the health and safety committee (where appropriate) can decide whether a control program is required and to what level. See a sample risk assessment form. ## How are the hazards identified? Overall, the goal is to find and record possible hazards that may be present in your workplace. It may help to work as a team and include both people familiar with the work area, as well as people who are not - this way you have both the experienced and fresh eye to conduct inspections and evaluations. In either case, the person or team should be competent to carr…