Safety moment on dam construction project

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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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# Construction Worker - General (cont.) ## What are some health and safety issues for construction workers? (cont.) Working in adverse weather conditions (such as cold, heat, high winds , or lightning. - Working with hand tools, powered tools and heavy powered equipment. - Excess vibration in the hands, arms or body from powered tools or equipment. - Confined spaces. - Noise. - Working at heights. - Working with portable ladders and fixed ladders. - Electrical hazards. - Hazardous energy control including lockout/tag out. - Working with cranes, hoists, and other material handling equipment. - Slips, trips and falls. - Respiratory hazards from wood dust. - Explosion and fire hazards from combustible dusts. - Stress. - Shift work or extended work days. - Working alone. - Struck by mobile equipment. - Maintaining good housekeeping. - Workplace violence and harrassment. ## What are some preventive measures for construction workers? - Scan the workplace for existing and potential hazards before work begins and take appropriate controls. Be aware that conditions can change constantly. - Inspect all equipment and machinery for any defects before work begins. - Keep tools and equipment in good working order. Use correct personal protective equipment and apparel, including safety footwear. - Keep all work areas clear of clutter and equipment. - Avoid awkward body positions or take frequent breaks. - Learn safe lifting techniques. Construction Worker - General CCOHS

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# Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification (cont.) ## What is hazard identification? (cont.) - Identify hazards and risk factors that have the potential to cause harm (hazard identification). - Analyze and evaluate the risk associated with that hazard (risk analysis, and risk evaluation). - Determine appropriate ways to eliminate the hazard or control the risk when the hazard cannot be eliminated (risk control). Overall, the goal of hazard identification is to find and record possible hazards that may be present in your workplace. It may help to work as a team and include people familiar with the work area, as well as people who are not -this way, you have both experienced and fresh eyes to conduct the inspection. ## When should hazard identification be done? Hazard identification can be done: - During design and implementation - Designing a new process or procedure - Purchasing and installing new machinery - Before tasks are done - Checking equipment or following processes - Reviewing surroundings before each shift - While tasks are being done - Be aware of changes, abnormal conditions, or sudden emissions - During inspections - Formal, informal, supervisor, health and safety committee - After incidents - Near misses or minor events - Injuries ## How are hazards identified? There are many ways a workplace can identify hazards, including: Workplace inspections Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification CCOHS

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# Subchapter 4. Construction Safety Orders (cont.) ## ADVANCE PLANNING SUGGESTED FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK (cont.) (2) Methods of loading and unloading. (A) Adequate space. (B) Proper auxiliary equipment, i.e., power shovels, cranes, rigging, fork lifts, etc. (b) Tools and Equipment (1) Repair, maintenance, and care. (2) Inspection. (3) Adequate supplies of the right tools for each part of job. (c) Workers and Foremen (1) Proper job placement. (2) Adequate training and supervision. (3) Adequate manpower. (4) Plans for maintaining interest in safety. (A) Safety bulletins, record charts, and posters. (B) Recognition for groups or individuals with safety records. (C) Investigation and reporting on all accidents. (D) Knowledge of safety orders. (E) Safety meetings.

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# Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification (cont.) ## How are hazards identified? (cont.) - Job descriptions and demands analysis - Job safety analysis - Incident investigations - Documents and records - Hazard reporting by employees - Hazard mapping To be sure that all hazards are found: - Look at all aspects of the work and include non-routine activities such as maintenance, repair, or cleaning. - Look at the physical work environment, equipment, materials, products, etc. that are used. - Include the various steps that make up a task or activity. - Look at injury and incident records. - Talk to the workers: they know their job and its hazards best. - Include all shifts and people who work off-site, either at home, on other job sites, drivers, teleworkers, or with clients. - Look at the way the work is organized or done by different individuals (including the experience of people doing the work, systems being used, if alternate methods are being used, etc.). - Look at foreseeable unusual conditions (for example, possible impact on hazard control procedures that may be unavailable in an emergency situation, power outage, etc.). - Determine whether a product, machine, or equipment can be intentionally or unintentionally changed (such as a safety guard that could be removed). - Review all of the phases of the lifecycle of processes, products, and services (such as design, transportation, construction, dismantling, and disposal). - Examine risks to visitors or the public. - Consider the groups of people that may have a different level of risk, such as young or inexperienced workers, persons with disabilities, or new or expectant mothers. - Consider the psychosocial aspects of the job and the hazards that could be created. ## What types of hazards are there? A common way to classify hazards is by category: Hazard and Risk - Hazard Identification CCOHS

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# Why is it important to review and monitor the assessments? It is important to know if your risk assessment was complete and accurate. It is also essential to be sure that any changes in the workplace have not introduced new hazards or changed hazards that were once ranked as lower priorities to higher priorities. It is good practice to review your assessment on a regular basis to make sure your control methods are effective. ## What documentation should be done for a risk assessment? It is very important to keep records of your assessment and any control actions taken. You may be required to store assessments for a specific number of years. Check for local requirements in your jurisdiction. The level of documentation or record keeping will depend on: - Level of risk involved. - Legislated requirements. - Requirements of any management systems that may be in place. Your records should show that you: - Conducted a good hazard review. - Determined the risks of those hazards. - Implemented control measures suitable for the risk. - Reviewed and monitored all hazards in the workplace. Fact sheet last revised: 2025-03-12 ## Disclaimer Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information, CCOHS does not guarantee, warrant, represent or undertake that the information provided is correct, accurate or current. CCOHS is not liable for any loss, claim, or demand arising directly or indirectly from any use or reliance upon the information. Hazard and Risk - Risk Assessment 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 do I "identify potential hazards"? (cont.) ## 1. Eliminate the hazard (cont.) If the hazard cannot be eliminated, contact might be prevented by using enclosures, machine guards, worker booths or similar devices. These are generally engineering controls. ## 3. Revise work procedures Consideration might be given to modifying steps which are hazardous, changing the sequence of steps, or adding additional steps (such as locking out energy sources). Work procedures and training fall under administrative controls. ## 4. Reduce the exposure These measures are the least effective and should only be used if no other solutions are possible. One way of minimizing exposure is to reduce the number of times the hazard is encountered. An example would be modifying machinery so that less maintenance is necessary. The use of appropriate personal protective equipment may be required. To reduce the severity of an incident, emergency facilities, such as eyewash stations, may need to be provided. This preventive measure is also an administrative control. Reducing the exposure may include using personal protective equipment. It is important to note that personal protective equipment can limit exposure to the harmful effects of a hazard, but only if the personal protective equipment is worn and used correctly. In listing the preventive measures, do not use general statements such as "be careful" or "use caution." Specific statements which describe both what action is to be taken and how it is to be performed are preferable. The recommended measures are listed in the right-hand column of the worksheet, numbered to match the hazard in question. For example: Job Safety Analysis 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