Corporate Safety – Work Instruction WHS Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control The controlled version of this document is registered. All other versions are uncontrolled Document Number: PRO-00657 Version Date: 05/01/2012 Page: 1 of 12 Document Owner: Y Dong Document Approver: Manager, WH&S WHS Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control 1. Purpose This Work Instruction provides guidance for hazard identification, risk assessment and controls to effectively manage WHS risks that may occur within Seqwater workplaces, and provides guidance in the use of the Corporate Safety - WHS Risk Assessment Template (TEM-00008). 2. Scope This instruction applies to all Seqwater workers 3. Definitions (in regard to Health & Safety) Hazard Something that has the potential to cause harm, including injury or illness as well as damage to property. Substances, plant, work processes, bullying or other aspects of the work environment can be hazards. Risk A value representing the magnitude of an exposure to people taking into account the likelihood and consequence of a defined eventuality. Opportunity A situation where a gain may be possible. In such cases, the risk assessment process can improve the chances of realising the potential gain. Consequence The outcome of an event expressed qualitatively or quantitatively, being a loss, injury, disadvantage or gain. There may be a range of possible outcomes associated with an event. Likelihood The probability or frequency that an event will occur. Managed Risk / Current Risk The value of Risk taking into account the integrity of controls as they stand Residual Risk The remaining level of risk after risk treatment measures have been implemented. ALARP As Low As Reasonably Practicable, or the level of risk where further improvement cannot be reasonably justified when considering the cost of making the change against the benefit achieved.
Transcript
Corporate Safety – Work Instruction WHS Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control
The controlled version of this document is registered. All other versions are uncontrolled Document Number: PRO-00657 Version Date: 05/01/2012 Page: 1 of 12 Document Owner: Y Dong Document Approver: Manager, WH&S
WHS Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and
Risk Control
1. Purpose
This Work Instruction provides guidance for hazard identification, risk assessment and
controls to effectively manage WHS risks that may occur within Seqwater workplaces, and
provides guidance in the use of the Corporate Safety - WHS Risk Assessment Template
(TEM-00008).
2. Scope
This instruction applies to all Seqwater workers
3. Definitions (in regard to Health & Safety)
Hazard Something that has the potential to cause harm, including injury or illness
as well as damage to property. Substances, plant, work processes, bullying
or other aspects of the work environment can be hazards.
Risk A value representing the magnitude of an exposure to people taking into
account the likelihood and consequence of a defined eventuality.
Opportunity
A situation where a gain may be possible. In such cases, the risk
assessment process can improve the chances of realising the potential
gain.
Consequence
The outcome of an event expressed qualitatively or quantitatively, being a
loss, injury, disadvantage or gain. There may be a range of possible
outcomes associated with an event.
Likelihood The probability or frequency that an event will occur.
Managed
Risk / Current
Risk
The value of Risk taking into account the integrity of controls as they stand
Residual Risk The remaining level of risk after risk treatment measures have been
implemented.
ALARP As Low As Reasonably Practicable, or the level of risk where further
improvement cannot be reasonably justified when considering the cost of
Corporate Safety – Work Instruction WHS Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control
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4. Actions
4.1 General
4.1.1 Methodology
Seqwater WHS hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control (risk management) is
to be conducted using the Seqwater risk management methodology as described in PRO-
00801, the Seqwater corporate risk management procedure.
4.1.2 Establish Context
The risk management context which has been established in PRO-00801 is: Safety risk
applies to the people working for or on its behalf, their well being and the well being of the
community that utilise the organisational assets or product.
Seqwater is a government owned organisation and this creates a high emphasis on social
performance and the expectations may be higher than for other organisations as a
consequence. No area is more important than health and safety in this context and as such
we have to deliver both good performance and transparency in our risk assessment
processes
This process must comply with and be suitable for reporting through the requirements of
PRO-00801.
4.1.3 When to use the process
Workplace health and safety risk management is an ongoing process and assessments or
reviews of assessments must be undertaken at various times including:
NOW, if it has not been done before;
When planning or making a change to a workplace e.g. purchasing of new plant,
substances or services.
When responding to workplace incidents (even if they have caused no injury)
When responding to concerns raised by workers, HSRs or others at the workplace.
After an incident (and/or a near miss).
At regular or scheduled intervals appropriate to the nature of the workplace and the
hazards present.
When legislative obligations change (including regulations).
Before work starts where not covered by an existing procedure.
A risk assessment is mandatory under the WHS Regulations for some hazards, for example;
entry into confined spaces, diving work or live electrical work.
A risk assessment is not necessary however in the following situations:
If legislation requires some hazards or risks to be controlled in a specific way – these
requirements must be complied with.
A code of practice or other guidance sets out a way of controlling a hazard or risk that
is applicable to the situation and you choose to use the recommended controls. In
these instances, the guidance can simply be followed.
Corporate Safety – Work Instruction WHS Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control
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There are effective controls that are in widespread use in the particular industry, that
are suited to the circumstances. These controls can simply be implemented.
Health and safety legislation requires that employers in consultation with workers identify all
potentially hazardous situations which could result in any harm of a person’s health and
safety in the workplace.
The types of hazards across Seqwater include:
Energy hazards (Potential Energy (Height); Kinetic Energy (Collisions); Pressure;
Heat; etc.
Fluid Hazards; Toxic; Asphyxiant; Chemical reactions: Drowning; etc.
biological hazards; Legionnaires disease, etc.
physiological and psychological hazards.
health and hygiene hazards; Noise, etc.
other hazards.
Corporate Safety – Work Instruction WHS Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control
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The hazards can be identified though:
Direct reports from workers and contractors following PRO-00003;
Inspection and observation;
Structured approach with checklist for each activity and item used in the workplace;
Analysing past incidents/accidents;
Consulting with workers, HSRs and workplace health and safety committees;
Group brain storming using knowledge and experience;
Information about equipment (e.g. plant, operating instructions) and materials;
Information from similar workplace and industry.
Other considerations when collecting information to identify hazards:
competency and level of training of workers and whether it is adequate;
how people actually use, clean, service or repair equipment and materials;
how suitable the things used for the task are, and how well they are located;
how people could be hurt directly and indirectly by the various workplace aspects ;
how waste materials are or should be disposed of;
the lifecycles of substances, plant, materials and premises, which may affect their
safety.
Then make a list of all the hazards identified. Once this list of hazards is compiled, each
hazard should be considered individually.
4.3 Risk assessment
Once the hazards have been identified, a risk assessment should be carried out in
consultation with the relevant workers, by completing the Seqwater Workplace Health and
Safety Risk Assessment Form.
4.3.1 Basis of risk assessment
To assess the level of risk, the likelihood of an event occurring (will it happen or could it
happen?) and the extent of the consequences that could result (if it does occur, how serious
will the outcome be?) must be considered.
Likelihood should be estimated in common situations rather than an abnormal or emergency
situation which are considered elsewhere. Consequence should consider the worst credible
scenario rather than the worst possible scenario.
When using the matrix, the consequence/likelihood combination that gives the greatest risk
should be used where the risk involving the worst credible outcome is less than another
combination.
Both factors are equally important in establishing the level of risk however the consequence
factor should be defined first when using the matrix as it makes it clear as to the specific
likelihood you are looking for.
The risk formula when using the matrix can therefore be described as:
Risk = Severity of Consequences × Likelihood of Occurrence
Corporate Safety – Work Instruction WHS Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control
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Seqwater also use other assessment methods to assess specific risks which have been
covered in Codes of Practice such as; noise, manual tasks, hazardous substances and
dangerous goods and first aid (see the relevant Corporate Safety Procedures). Seqwater
operational procedures outline specific risk factors that are to be considered for specific tasks
when conducting the risk assessment.
4.3.2 Information to Estimate Likelihood and Consequence
When estimating the likelihood of an event occurring and the severity of the potential
consequences, it is important for the person conducting the WHS risk assessment to refer to
the following information:
Past safety records;
Incident statistics in the workplace or the whole industry;
Practice and relevant experience in the relevant organisation and others in the
industry;
Manufacturer’s data or information on proper use of plant and equipment;
Relevant published literature such as trade magazines, research articles, safety
organisations and employer and employee organisations’ materials;
Market research such as industry development of new materials and equipment;
The results of consultation and expert judgements;
Codes of practice.
4.3.3 Establishing Likelihood
The likelihood of an event occurring will depend on both the probability and frequency of
exposure to a hazard. There may be a number of factors specific to the workplace that will
influence the likelihood of an event occurring, such as:
How, where and when people are exposed to the hazard; and
How exposure varies over time or by location.
To help establish the best estimate of likelihood, there are a number of examples of factors
that may need to be taken into account. The following factors can affect the likelihood of an
event or situation occurring:
How often the task occurs: Generally, when the same critical task demands are
repeated, the more likely an incident will occur. This includes the same or similar
tasks occurring during the shift
How many people are exposed: Generally, the greater the number of people
exposed to the hazard, the more likely an incident will occur.
The duration of exposure: Generally, the longer a person is exposed to the hazard,
the more likely an incident will occur.
Quantities of materials or multiple exposure points involved: For example, an
incident (such as an explosion) is more likely to occur as a result of a small amount of
flammable liquid, such as petrol, in a container which allows room for expanding
gases than from a full container of the liquid with no room for expanding gases; an
item of plant may have a number of places with exposed moving parts that could
injure a worker.
Corporate Safety – Work Instruction WHS Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control
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The position of the hazard relative to workers and to other hazards: For
example, workers working close to a noisy machine are more likely to suffer hearing
loss than those working further away.
The skills and competence of persons exposed: Workers with lower levels of
training in safe and efficient methods of work are more likely to be injured.
Experience of persons exposed: Experience, adequate training and reasonable
competence to do a task will reduce the likelihood of an incident.
Any special characteristics of the people involved: For example, young workers
may have a lower level of maturity, which can increase the likelihood of them
behaving in a way that is dangerous and risky. Further, young worker are still
developing and are more likely to be injured when handling heavy loads due to their
reduced capacities.
Distractions: It is more likely that an incident will occur when a worker is not paying
full attention to the task or their surroundings.
Environmental conditions: For example, water in the vicinity of an electrical
hazard.
Repetition: When workers are consistently required to replicate tasks or components
of tasks
The Seqwater Risk Assessment Process uses the following descriptive scale to nominate the
likelihood of an incident or event occurring at the workplace:
Table1: Seqwater WHS Likelihood Rating
Likelihood Workplace Health and Safety
Description Frequency (time) Probability
(Certainty)
5
Almost
certain
Very High likelihood of the risk happening in
related operating environment. Would be
surprising if it did not happen
> 10 times per year
>90%
4
Likely
High likelihood of the risk happening in related
operating environment. Has occurred recently
> Once per year 75% - 90%
3
Possible
Probably could occur in related operating
environment.
Likelihood of occurrence is increased due to
limit of treatment. History of occurrence with
the defined consequence level within Seqwater
Between once every 1
to once every 10 years
50% - 75%
2
Unlikely
Has occurred sometime in related operating
environment with the defined consequence
Occurrences have been experienced. Would not
be surprising if it occurred.
Between once every 11
to once every 50 years
25% – 50%
1
Rare
Could occur with the stated consequence in
related operating environment but it is
considered unlikely. Causal events have
occurred but effects have been treated so that
Between once every 51
to once every 100 years
0% -25%
Corporate Safety – Work Instruction WHS Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control
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Likelihood Workplace Health and Safety
Description Frequency (time) Probability
(Certainty)
the defined consequence has not resulted. No
history of a loss situation which results in the
possible consequence level defined in related
operating environment
4.3.4 Establishing Consequences
The Seqwater WHS Risk Assessment Process uses the following descriptive scale to
determine the Workplace Health and Safety consequence or event occurring at the
workplace.
The severity or range of the potential consequences resulting from an incident can be
determined by a number of factors, such as:
How much harm the hazard could do;
How many people it could affect; and
Whether the harm would be short or long term.
Table 2: Seqwater WHS Consequence Rating
Consequence Workplace Health & Safety
Level Description
Catastrophic A single fatality or permanent impairment to one or more persons.
Major Hospital admission required
Moderate Serious Bodily Injury or Dangerous Event
Minor Medical treatment (doctor or medical facility).
Insignificant Illness or injury (first aid treatment only).
Corporate Safety – Work Instruction WHS Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control
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4.3.5 Risk Rating
Combine the risk consequence and likelihood using the table 3 to determine the risk rating.
The risk can be classified as Extreme, High, Moderate or Low. For example, a moderate
consequence and a likelihood of possible results in a rating of High.
To get the best results from a risk assessment, consult with as many people as possible in
the workplace including the WHS committee, HSRs, supervisors, managers and others with
knowledge and experience.
Table 3: Seqwater Risk Ranking Matrix
The classification of each risk forms a guide to the priority in which the risks should be
addressed (high to low).
Table 4: Risk Tolerance and Action Priority
RISK RATING ACTION REQUIRED
E = Extreme
Unacceptable
Intolerable risk Activity must not be undertaken prior to. Board / CEO
review of potential risk mitigation measures and a decision that risk is
ALARP
H = High
Only acceptable if
ALARP
Implement strict control measures to reduce risk to an acceptable level.
Activity must not continue until the level of risk is reduced to As Low As
Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) and preferably Medium rating.
General Manager and/or Level 3 Manager approval of the risk controls
is required.
M=Medium risk
Undesirable
Specify, document and implement existing risk controls and additional
management actions to reduce the risk to ALARP and preferably Low
rating. Activity must not continue without Level 3 Manager approval.
L=Low risk
Tolerable
Tolerable risk. Carry out activity following review and implementation of
routine risk controls. Monitor risk controls to ensure that they are
maintained at their present level.
Likelihood
Rare Unlikely Possible Likely Almost
certain
Co
nse
qu
en
ce Catastrophic Medium High High Extreme Extreme
Major Medium Medium High High Extreme
Moderate Low Medium High High High
Minor Low Low Medium Medium High
Insignificant Low Low Low Medium Medium
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4.4 Risk Control
4.4.1 Select control measures
The WHS Regulations requires duty holders to work through the hierarchy of risk control
when managing risk.
Table 5: Hierarchy of Control Measures
You must always aim to eliminate a hazard, which is the most effective control. If this is not
reasonably practicable, you need to minimise the risk by working through the other
alternatives in the hierarchy.
When selecting a control measure, it is important to be able to justify why that particular
control measure was chosen, rather than a higher level measure.
Selected control measures should:
adequately control exposure to the risk now and will continue to do so over time
not create another hazard
allow workers to do their work without undue discomfort or distress
be proportionate to the degree and nature of the risk (i.e. high risk and severe
consequences should have substantial permanent controls).
render the level of residual risk as ALARP and comply with relevant legal and other
requirements.
The Seqwater WHS Risk appetite means that all risks that are not rated Low (i.e. tolerable
risk level) must be ALARP and should consider the following:
Nature of risk.
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Competency of the employees.
Compliance with Legal and other requirements.
Consideration of non-health and safety benefits that may be achieved through safety
measures (e.g. great reliability / productivity of the process for asset improvements).
Administrative controls and PPE should only be used:
when there are no other practical control measures available (as a last resort)
as an interim measure until a more effective way of controlling the risk can be used
to supplement higher level control measures (as a back-up).
4.4.2 Implement control measures
After the most appropriate control measures available to control the hazards (and prevent or
minimise risks in the workplace) have been identified, the next step is to develop a safety
action plan to implement these controls. This involves undertaking the necessary activities to
allow the selected measures to function or operate effectively.
Each measure should have a designated person and date assigned for the
implementation of controls.
Develop safe work procedures.
Communicate and consult with workers about implementation.
Provide workers with training and instruction.
Supervise workers using control measures.
Seqwater has developed a Safety Action Plan Template to record all the further actions
(control measures) need to be undertaken association with the risks. To enhance the
implementation and review process, the Safety Action Plan is required to be put in to the Q-
pulse Issues and Improvements module detailing the responsible personnel, timeframe and
actions.
4.5 Using the Seqwater Workplace Health and Safety Risk Assessment
Template
4.5.1 Establish the scope of the Risk Assessment
Define the scope of the Risk Assessment by determining the task, activity, work processes or
practices to be assessed. Enter this information under the heading of Scope on page 1 of
TEM-00008 Workplace Health and Safety Risk Assessment Template.
4.5.2 Identify Risk Category
Use the general category the task, activity, work processes or practices fall into to identify the
risk category, for example operational, electrical, maintenance. Enter this in the Risk
Category field on the Workplace Health and Safety Risk Assessment Template.
4.5.3 Consider the range of Risk Aspects
An identified risk may have the potential to affect several aspects of the business; each
aspect of the risk must be assessed. Risk Aspect categories could include but are not
limited to: safety – the risk may pose a potential to cause a workplace accident, injury or
illness; equipment safety – the risk may have the potential to cause damage to plant and
Corporate Safety – Work Instruction WHS Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control
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equipment; process- the risk may have the potential to affect processes; and environmental -
the risk may have a potential environmental effect. Enter each identified Risk Aspect into the
Risk Aspect column on the Workplace Health and Safety Risk Assessment Template.
4.5.3 Risk Statement
The Risk Statement should be a brief description of the risk and could include statements
like: storage and handling of dangerous goods; working in confined spaces; working at
heights; manual handling. For example: Failing to correctly manage working in a confined
space.
4.5.4 Causes
For each identified risk list the associated causal factors and record them on the Corporate
Safety - WHS Risk Assessment Template (TEM-00008)
4.5.5 Consequences
Identify the possible consequences that may occur as a result of exposure to each risk and
record in the Consequences column of the Corporate Safety - WHS Risk Assessment
Template (TEM-00008).
4.5.6 Current Treatments
Detail any treatments that are currently in place to control the identified risk. Treatments may
include: barriers and guarding; training and induction; procedures; isolation and personal
protective equipment.
4.5.7 Responsible Manager
List the manager who has responsibility for any current treatments that are in place.
4.5.8 Managed Risk Score
Use the likelihood and consequence ranking tables to derive numerical values for the
estimated likelihood and consequence. Enter the values in the table under the Managed
Risk Score section. Plot the estimated values on the Risk Ranking Matrix to obtain a
Managed Risk Score and enter the score in the Risk Assessment Template. See the Table 3:
Seqwater Risk Ranking Matrix.
4.5.9 Proposed Treatments (Hierarchy of Controls)
Decide on appropriate measures to control the risk by eliminating the risk. Select control
measures in the following order of preference with Table 5: Hierarchy of Control Measures.
4.5.10 Responsible Manager
Allocate responsibility for implementing the proposed treatments and enter the name of the
appropriate manager in the Corporate Safety - WHS Risk Assessment Template (TEM-
00008).
4.5.11 Residual Risk Score
Reassess the risk taking into consideration the proposed treatments. This will determine the
level of residual risk. Only when the residual risk score has been reduced to an acceptable
level can the proposed treatments be considered adequate.
Corporate Safety – Work Instruction WHS Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control
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5. Monitor and Review
Hazard identification, risk assessment and control are an on-going process. Therefore,
regularly monitor and review are essential to ensure that:
The risk treatments have been implemented as intended;
The risk treatments are adequate and not created other hazards or risks;
The risk assessment and control process was effective.
Monitor and review should be undertaken when:
Significant changes to the workplace including work systems, task procedures,
machinery or equipment. Ingredients;
Significant changes with the legislation requirements;
Following the occurring of accident or incident;
At least every 3 years.
6. Consultation
Under the WHS Act 2011, Seqwater is required to consult, so far as reasonably practicable,
with workers who carry out work for Seqwater or who are likely to be directly affected by a
work health and safety matter. At Seqwater we have as part of our formal consultation
process Health and Safety Representatives who must be involved in this consultation.
Consider also including Corporate workplace health and safety advisors, the WHS
committee, supervisors, managers and others with knowledge and experience in the
consultative process.
7. Record Keeping
Keep WHS risk assessment records in Q-Pulse and review regularly.
8. Associated Documents
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
How to Manage WHS Risks Code of Practice 2011
AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk management - Principles and guidelines
AS/NZS 4801:2001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems -
Specification with guidance for use
LEG-00170 How to manage WHS Risks Code of Practice.
PRO-00801 Corporate Legal and Risk - Risk Management Procedure
PRO-00003 Corporate - Issue Notification and Response Procedure
