Write a toolbox talk on Proper Hazard Identification?

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# How is a risk assessment done? In general, to do an assessment, you should: 1. Assemble a risk assessment team. Assessments should be done by a competent person or team of individuals who have a good working knowledge of the situation being studied. Include the supervisors and workers who work with the process under review on the team or as sources of information, as these individuals are the most familiar with the operation. The health and safety committee or representative should also be consulted. 2. Select the job or process to assess. Refer to the above section, "When should a risk assessment be done", to help prioritize your assessments. Ideally, risk assessments should be done for all jobs. Jobs or tasks with higher injury and illness rates, worker concerns, and other factors should be considered first. 3. Break down the job or process into tasks. Divide the job or process into tasks or basic steps to better understand the hazards. 4. Identify the hazards of each task. After the basic steps or tasks have been recorded, identify the hazards of each step or task. List the hazards based on observations and inspections, previous causes of incidents and injuries, feedback from workers and supervisors directly involved in the task, and other considerations. 5. Assess the risk of each hazard. For each hazard, determine the likelihood of harm, such as an injury or illness occurring, and its severity. Use a risk assessment method appropriate for your workplace (see further below for details on risk assessment methods). Consider normal operational situations as well as non-standard events such as maintenance, shutdowns, power outages, emergencies, extreme weather, etc. Review all available health and safety information about the hazard, such as Safety Data Sheet (SDS), manufacturer's literature, information from reputable organizations, results of testing, workplace inspection reports, records of workplace incidents (accidents), including information about the …

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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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# How is a risk assessment done? (cont.) ## How are the hazards identified? (cont.) Hazard mapping is a method of hazard identification that is performed by employees themselves. All of the employees from a work area, including supervisors and managers, get together and mark hazard locations on the building's floor plan. Later, the group discusses how to control these hazards and which ones should be dealt with first. This approach makes use of employees' knowledge and experience, empowers employees, and encourages involvement and cooperation. More information is also available in the OSH Answers on Hazard Identification. ## How do you know if the hazard will cause harm (poses a risk)? Each hazard should be studied to determine its level of risk. Understanding how likely it is that a hazard will cause harm and how severe that harm could be. To research the hazard, you can look at: - Product information and the manufacturer documentation. - Past experience (knowledge from workers, etc.). - Legislated requirements and applicable standards. - Industry codes of practice and good practices. - Health and safety material about the hazard, such as safety data sheets (SDSs), research studies, or other manufacturer information. - Information from reputable organizations. - Results of testing (atmospheric or air sampling of the workplace, biological swabs, etc.). - The expertise of an occupational health and safety professional or other technical experts. - Information about previous injuries, illnesses, near misses, incident reports, etc. - Observation of the process or task. Remember to include factors that contribute to the level of risk, such as: - The work environment (layout, condition, weather, etc.). - The procedures for performing a task. - The range of foreseeable conditions. - The way the source may cause harm (e.g., inhalation, ingestion, etc.). - How often and how much a person will be exposed. - The interaction, capability, skill, and ex…

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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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# 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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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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# 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…

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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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CCOHS CCHST Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail Hazard and Risk # Hazard and Risk - Risk Assessment ## On this page What is a risk assessment? Why is risk assessment important? What is the goal of risk assessment? When should a risk assessment be done? How do you plan for a risk assessment? How is a risk assessment done? How are the hazards identified? How do you know if the hazard will cause harm (poses a risk)? How are risks ranked or prioritized? What risk assessment methods should be used? What are methods of hazard control? Why is it important to review and monitor the assessments? What documentation should be done for a risk assessment? ## What is a risk assessment? Risk assessment is a term used to describe the overall process or method where of identifying hazards, assessing the risk of hazards, and prioritizing hazards associated with a specific activity, task, or job. It considers the probability or likelihood of harm from exposure and the potential consequence or severity of harm from exposure to a hazard. A risk assessment is a thorough look at your workplace to identify those things, situations, processes, etc. that may cause harm, particularly to people. After the identification of a hazard, it should be reviewed to determine how likely and severe the potential harm is. When this determination is made, you can decide what measures should be in place to effectively eliminate or control the harm from happening (hazard control). Some important terms related to risk assessments include: Hazard - a potential source of injury, adverse health effect, or damage to people, structures, equipment, or the environment. A common way to classify hazards is to categorize them as biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical, psychosocial, and safety hazards. Hazard identification - the process of finding, listing, and characterizing hazards. Hazard and Risk - Risk Assessment CCOHS

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# Hazard and Risk - Risk Assessment (cont.) ## What is the goal of risk assessment? (cont.) a. What can happen, and under what circumstances? b. What are the possible consequences? C. How likely are the possible consequences to occur? d. How severe are the possible consequences? e. Has an adequate level of risk reduction been achieved, or is further action required? ## When should a risk assessment be done? There may be many reasons a risk assessment is needed, including: - Before new processes or activities are introduced. - Before changes are introduced to existing processes or activities, including when products, machinery, tools, or equipment change. - When new information concerning harm becomes available. - When hazards are identified. - Before working in a new environment. - When new information on hazard controls or good practices becomes available. - Before performing maintenance or commissioning of equipment - Before completing routine or non-routine tasks. - When the legislation requires a risk assessment to be done. ## How do you plan for a risk assessment? In general, determine: - What the scope of your risk assessment will be (e.g., be specific about what you are assessing such as the lifetime of the product, the physical area where the work activity takes place, or the types of hazards). - The resources needed (e.g., training a team of individuals to carry out the assessment, the types of information sources, etc.). - What type of risk analysis measures will be used (e.g., how exact the scale or parameters need to be in order to provide the most relevant evaluation)? - Who are the stakeholders involved (e.g., manager, supervisors, workers, worker representatives, suppliers, etc.). - What relevant laws, regulations, codes, or standards may apply in your jurisdiction, as well as organizational policies and procedures? Hazard and Risk - Risk Assessment CCOHS

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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