Risk Management Process

This guide is designed to provide a method for the identification of hazards and control of risks arising from the workplace and the introduction of new plant, processes and substances and the means by which these risk shall be ''eliminated'' or ''minimised''.

Why perform a risk assessment?

* To prevent accidents and injuries
* To save money
* To comply with Occupational Health and Safety legislation

===Understanding hazards and risks===
A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm. Risk is the likelihood that the harm will occur from exposure to the hazard. For example:

* The hazard is electricity. The risk is the likelihood that a worker might be electrocuted because of exposure to electrical wires that is inadequately insulated.
* The hazard is a 40kg bag. The risk is the likelihood that a worker might suffer back strain from manually lifting 40kg bags.
* The hazard is carbon monoxide. The risk is the likelihood that a worker might suffer carbon dioxide poisoning because they are using a petrol operated pump in a well.

==Step 1 - Look for the hazards==
Here you are looking for those things or processes at your workplace that could cause harm. Because workplace hazards are not always obvious, you need to allocate enough time to looking for hazards. There are a number of types of workplace hazards including:

* work environment (such as slippery floor surfaces)
* energy (such as electricity or heat)
* manual tasks
* noise
* substances (such as chemicals)
* plant, machinery and equipment

There are a number of ways of looking for hazards including:

* Walking through your workplace and looking for hazards in a systematic way looking at physical things and workplace activities.
* Asking workers about hazards.
* Consulting with workplace health and safety representatives and committees.
* Considering how people use equipment and materials and how they could be hurt directly and indirectly by workplace activities.
* Conducting a safety audit.
* Scientific or technical evaluation.
* Reviewing your workplace records such as sick leave and incident reports.
* Acquiring information from designers, manufacturers and suppliers.
* Talking to anyone who can help such as your industry association and suppliers of equipment and consumables.

==Step 2 - Decide who might be harmed and how==

Look for the ways that people could be hurt or become ill and at the possible causes of injury or illness. This is also called a risk assessment.

For each hazard:
* estimate the likelihood of an incident occurring at your workplace, bearing in mind existing control measures
* estimate the consequences of an incident occurring at your workplace, bearing in mind existing control measures

=== Understand the consequences ===

* '''extreme''' death or permanent disablement
* '''major''' serious bodily injury or serious work caused illness
* '''moderate''' - injury or illness requiring casualty treatment
* '''mild''' - requiring first aid only with no lost work time

=== Determine the likelihood===
Likelihood is the extent of the harm (injury or ill health) should it actually occur. Likelihood is rated using the following;

* '''very likely''' - could happen frequently
* '''likely''' - could happen occasionally
* '''unlikely''' - could happen, but rarely
* '''very unlikely''' - could happen, but probably never will

===Establish a risk rating===
Combine your likelihood and consequence estimates to rate the risk.

[[image:http://testedgroup.com/images/risk_control_479x224.png|center]]

Events assessed as very likely with fatal consequences are the most serious (high risk); those as highly unlikely with negligible injuries are the least serious (low risk).

Ratings for each factor and the risk rating are to be recorded in the appropriate columns on the Risk Management Worksheet. When developing risk control strategies, HIGH ratings shall receive first priority.

===Other considerations===
* young workers, trainees, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding who may be at heightened risk
* cleaners, visitors, contractors, maintenance workers, contractors who may not be familiar with your workplace risks
* members of the public or people with whom you share your workplace who could be hurt by your workplace activities

==Step 3 - Decide on control measures==
Where a risk to health and safety has been identified, controls must be introduced to ''eliminate'' or ''minimise'' it. The following 'hierarchy' of controls is a guide to controlling risks. In many cases a combination of controls will be necessary to reduce the risk to the level required.

Control measures must be implemented in the following order:

# Eliminate the hazard
# Reduce the hazard at source
# Remove person from the hazard
# Contain the hazard by enclosure
# Reduce individual's exposure
# Implement safe systems of work
# Use PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

===Other considerations===
Consider the the following questions:

* Are there legislated requirements that I must do in relation to the specific hazard?
* Is there a '''Code of Practice''' relating to the specific hazard?
* Are there existing controls we must follow?
* Are controls as high as possible in list of control priorities?
* Do the controls protect everyone exposed to harm?
* What additional controls are required?

==Step 4 - Put controls in place==
Review the hazards and control measures to ensure that no new hazards have been introduced and that the process is working effectively to identify the risks and control the hazards.

It is important to ensure that work procedures are changed or developed and implemented to include new or changed controls.

Plans for new or changed controls '''must''' be communicated throughout the company. Training, instruction and supervision '''must''' be also provided.

It is also important that supervision is effective particularly when any changes are being made. The degree of supervision needs to be in keeping with the seriousness of the risk that you have previously assessed.

Risk assessments must also be done whenever the circumstances in the workplace change i.e.
* when information is obtained about previously unknown design or manufacturing fault, or about previously unidentified hazard;
* the design is revised or modified;
* there is a change to a risk control measure after a review of its effectiveness;
* the system of work associated with the plant is changed;
** plant is moved;
** ownership of the plant is changed;
* there is a change to the work environment; or,
* there is any other change that makes the existing risk assessment irrelevant.

== Step 5 - Review ==

==Related Documents==

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