Hazard Recognition

In this module, you will be introduced to Operational Risk Management and Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. Upon completion of this module you will:

List types of operational risk, List the components of an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS), and Explain why the continuous improvement cycle is important to your OHSMS.

All companies are in business with a view to long term success as might be measured by profitability or growth appropriate for their scope of operations. The business' operations have associated risks. Risk endangers the company operations. This broader category of risk is often referred to as "Operational Risk".

Operational risk refers to the risk that any error or stoppage in operations could lead to economic loss or reduced credibility. Operational risk could be thought of as any unexpected loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from external events, including legal risk.

Operational Risk Management

Operational Risk Management (ORM) is a decision-making tool to systematically identify operational risks and benefits and determine the best course of action for any given situation. A common model of operational risk management is shown here.

An operational risk is a risk arising from the execution of a company's business functions. It is a very broad concept that includes; fraud risks, legal risks, physical, environmental risks and of course occupational health and safety risk.

Another common model that illustrates all of the operational risks that business managers must be aware of is shown here.

Operational risks such as "bodily harm" and "property damage" are commonly considered to be occupational health and safety risk. A process is needed to manage these risks. This process is most commonly known as an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS).

The need for occupational health and safety risk management processes is common to every organization. The objective of risk management is to ensure that significant risks are identified and that appropriate and timely action is taken to minimize the risk as much as is reasonably achievable. The four main elements of risk management are:

Risk identification and measurement, Risk analysis, Risk assessment, and

Risk control.

An occupational health and safety management system usually has four key elements and these may be described as shown here.

Often they are further expanded into what might be most commonly called an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) program. This could include these six elements:

Management Involvement and Commitment Hazard Identification and Risk Control Rules and Work Procedures Training Communication Incident and Accident Reporting and Investigation

Or be expanded and represented as follows:

Company policy and management commitment Worker qualifications, orientation and training Hazard identification/risk assessment Hazard control Ongoing inspections Emergency response Incident investigation Training and competency Program administration System monitoring and continuous improvement

Regardless of how the occupational health and safety management system is described, occupational health and safety management remains a key component of any fully developed risk management system.

A key part of any OH&S program is a process to measure its effectiveness and ensure that there are opportunities for continuous improvement. This continuous improvement cycle can be shown in a couple of different ways. Click on the blue button under the image below to view both of the flowcharts for the continuous improvement cycle.

Every day it is a key part of operational risk management and occupational health and safety risk management that we work towards continuing to improve the occupational health and safety management system in place to protect

workers at work.

Continuous improvement takes many forms including: worker training and re-training, hazard assessment, workplace inspection, critical incident investigation. Through continuous improvement we seek to better integrate these elements together.

Operational risk can be thought of as any unexpected loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from external events, including legal risk. Operational Risk Management is a decision-making tool you can use to systematically identify operational risks and benefits in order to determine the best course of action.

All organizations should have an occupational health and safety risk management processes to ensure that significant risks are identified and appropriate and timely action taken to minimize those risks as much as is reasonably achievable.

An important part of any risk management system is a process to measure its effectiveness and ensure that there is continuous improvement. We must continually work towards improvement of the occupational health and safety management system that is in place to protect workers, supervisors, and the public.

In this course we will be focusing on hazard recigntion procedures, which is an important part of the occupational health and safety management system used to manage occupational health and safety risk.

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:

Describe the legislative framework for hazard recognition, List methods of hazard recognition, Describe 5 different types of hazard in the workplace, and List controls that can be used to prevent or reduce the risk of hazards.

A hazard is any situation, condition, or thing that may be dangerous to the safety or health of those in the workplace. A hazard has the potential to cause an injury, illness, or loss. Due to the risks that hazards present to personnel, the public, and the environment, it is important to ensure that hazards are eliminated or controlled.

Section 7 in Part 2 of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Code requires employers to assess a work site and identify existing or potential hazards before any work can begin. Employers are required to prepare a report which provides the results of the assessment and the methods that will be used to control or eliminate the hazards.

Section 8 requires employers to involve workers in assessing, controlling, and eliminating hazards.

Section 9 requires employers to eliminate hazards whenever it is reasonable to do so. If elimination is not practical, hazards must be controlled.

Although Farmers are currently exempt from the OHS Act in Alberta due to the Farm and Ranch Exemption Regulation, Alberta Regulation 271-1995, it is important to be aware of and recognize the hazards commonly found in agricultural work environments.

A hazard is an unsafe condition or practice that could contribute to an injury or illness. A risk is the degree of danger presented by a hazard. It is the likelihood that actual harm will occur and how severe the harm will be.

Unsafe actions are activities in the work environment that could contribute to an incident. An unsafe condition is an aspect of the work environment that could contribute to an incident.

You cannot ignore hazards when they are identified because you will be liable. When identifying hazards, keep three principles in mind. These principles are common sense, due diligence, and industry knowledge.

Hazard Identification Methods

When trying to identify hazards take into consideration the worker, the work environment, the equipment, and the materials that are used. Are there are pieces of equipment that have failed? Are there any materials or equipment that are not being used safely?

When identifying hazards, the risk is considered to be the potential degree of harm expressed in terms of probability and consequence. Risk is measured in severity, probability, and frequency where these factors may be expressed as high (serious), moderate, or low (minor).

Severity is the extent of the possible outcome of a hazard. It is the seriousness of an injury or illness on scale beginning with no injury and going to incidents involving a fatality. Severity can be measured in levels where 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest:

1. No Injury2. First Aid Required3. Fractures and Medical Aid Required4. Permanent Disability or Amputation5. Fatality

The frequency of a hazard is how often exposure to the hazard occurs ranging from never, to rarely, to often. This is also measured in a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest:

1. Never2. Monthly3. A Few Times a Week4. Some Workers Per Shift5. Multiple Workers Every Shift

Probability is used to describe the likelihood of an accident occuring. Probability includes events that are very unlikely to occur, are possible, and likely to occur. The scale for probability is ranked from 1 to 5, where 1 is very unlikely and 5 is considered to be certain:

1. Very Unlikely or Remote2. Unlikely3. Possible4. Significant Probability5. Certainly Will Occur

The hierarchy of controls begin with Engineering Control, then Administrative Controls, and finally Personal Protective Equipment(PPE). Ideally, you should try to eliminate or reduce the hazard at the source. If that is not possible, you should follow a path from the source and try to eliminate or reduce the hazard as close to its source as possible.

Types of Controls

Engineering Controls focus on isolating, removing, or reducing the hazard at the source or along its path. These types of controls are built into the process. They use substitution, isolation, ventilation, and equipment modifications. Engineering controls will either remove the hazard, substitute it for something less hazardous, or enclose the hazard. Some examples of engineered controls include fume hoods, saw guards, isolation or containment of hazardous substances, lockout, substitution with less hazardous chemicals, and equipment warning or monitoring systems.

Administrative Controls manage processes to control the hazard or reduce employee exposure. These controls focus on the human factor as the source of error. Some examples of administrative controls include rotating job tasks, assigning shorter time periods to allow employees time away from the hazard, more training, better maintenance of environment and equipment, better housekeeping, and purchasing controls. Changing work schedules is a good way to implement an administrative control. Work schedule changes can include longer rest breaks, hiring more workers, giving employees exercise breaks, and rotating worker tasks.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be provided to control the hazard at the point of exposure by the worker. These controls also focus on the human factor as the source of error. PPE should always be the last resort when dealing with hazards. Some examples of PPE includes gloves, respirators, and protective clothing.

Machinery: Machinery causes the most deadly injuries. The most hazardous machinery related tasks are: - Transportation of family/workers (rollover, run over after falling may occur with tractors, trucks, all

terrain vehicles, other farm equipment),

- Starting equipment/fueling up (bystander/ operator run over, explosion),

- Using PTO (Power Take Off) driven implements (entanglement),

- Using farm equipment on public roadways (rollover, collision),

- Using machinery around power lines (electrocution), and

- Using loaders (electrocution, entanglement, crushing, falls).

Noise: continued or prolonged exposure to high decibels can cause loss of hearing. Confined Spaces/Water Storage: manure pits, grain bins, grain bags, septic tanks and other confined

spaces are commonplace in agriculture and can cause asphyxiation and poisoning. Dugouts, wells and cisterns are very hazardous.

Chemical and Biological Hazards: pesticides, chemical fertilizers, mouldy hay, hantavirus, etc. Working at Heights: on grain bins, high lofts in barns, etc. Working with Animals: aggravates/irritable animals, proper animal handling (crushing and striking risks). Lifting, Moving and Repositioning: Inappropriate lifting and moving of heavy objects or loads causes back

injuries. Ergonomic injuries arise from poor posture/positioning and repetitive motion. Extreme Weather Conditions and Terrain: these make injury more likely. Extreme temperatures can

cause immediate and/or long term health problems. Working Alone or While Isolated: these conditions may increase the risk of harm to the worker. Employers

need to identify the risks to the workers in these situations and do what they can to eliminate or reduce the hazard.

Zoonotic diseases: Leptospirosis, rabies, brucellosis, salmonellosis and ringworm.

In this module it was explained that:

Part 2 of the Alberta OH&S Code provides the legislative framework for hazard recognition, Unsafe acts are activities and unsafe conditions are related to the environment, Risk is described in terms of severity, frequency, and probability, and Engineering Controls are the preferred method for dealing with hazards, followed by

Administrative Controls, and then PPE.

In the pages that follow in the course you will be introduced to 5 different types of hazard. Click on any of the hazards in the image below to view its definition.

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:

List the different types of physical hazards, and Define each type of hazard.

Some physical hazards include:

Ergonomic, Slips and trips, Fire, Electrical,

Noise, Ionizing radiation, Poor lighting, Temperatures, Pressure, and Vibration.

Some chemical hazards include:

Chemicals, Dusts, Gases, Fumes, Fibers, Pesticides, Fertilizers, Mists, and Vapors.

Some biological hazards include:

Viruses, Fungi, Bacteria, Molds, Rabies, Brucellosis, Salmonellosis, Ringworm, Leptospirosis, Blood and body fluids, and Sewage.

Some safety hazards include:

Working with compressed gases and equipment, Improperly used, or not using, Personal Protective Equipment, Welding, Motor vehicle operation, Operating machinery, Energized electrical equipment presents an electrocution hazard, and Working at elevation.

Some psychological hazards include:

Workplace Violence, Working Conditions, Stress, and Fatigue

Once you have identified the type(s) of hazard present in the workplace you should select the Engineering Controls, Administrative Controls, and PPE that will be used to reduce the risk. You can begin by asking yourself if the measure(s) you are considering will control the hazard. You can also ask yourself the following questions:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:

List the different types of physical hazards, and Define each type of hazard.

The content in this module was reproduced in part from Handling Farm Animals Safely with permission of Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (formerly Farm Safety Association), Mississauga, Canada, November 3, 2011.

Regardless of the types of animals you may raise on your farm, complacency and the feeling of being safe in their presence may leave you off guard. Injuries usually occur when the victim does not expect it and all animals should be considered unpredictable.

A lack of knowledge of animal behavior could put a handler into a dangerous situation. Thousands of animal related injuries occur every year, some resulting in a fatality. It is important to recognize the hazards of working around farm animals, particularly with new employees and family members.

Some of the most common injuries include being stepped on by large animals, being knocked down, kicked, thrown off while riding, pinned down between the animal and a hard surface, and animal bites.

Animals experience hunger, thirst, fear, sickness, injury and strong maternal instincts. They also develop behavior patterns such as kicking or biting. The handler should be aware of these situations and take the necessary safety precautions.

Yelling should be kept to a minimum when working with livestock to avoid agitation.

Animals respond to the way they are treated and draw upon past experiences when reacting to a situation. For example, animals that are chased, slapped, kicked, hit or frightened when young will naturally fear being approached.

ColorblindnessCows, pigs and sheep are generally colorblind, and with the exception of sheep, have poor depth perception. This results in extreme sensitivity to contrasts, which may cause the animal to balk at shadows or rapid changes from light to dark. Sheep have difficulty picking out small details, such as the open space created by a partially opened gate or door.

Moving or flapping objects can also disrupt handling. A cloth or coat swinging in the wind or turning fan blades can cause animals to balk. Movement at the end of a chute can cause them to refuse to be herded.

KickingHorses and Mules commonly kick towards their hindquarters, while cows kick forward and out to the sides. Cows often have a tendency to kick toward a side with pain from inflammation or injuries.

Maternal InstinctsAnimals with young will exhibit a maternal instinct, which causes them to be more defensive and

more difficult to handle. When possible, let the young stay as close to the parent as possible when handling.

TerritorialMost animals have a strong territorial instinct and develop a very distinctive, comfortable attachment to areas such as pastures and buildings, water troughs, worn paths and feed bunks. Forcible removal from these areas can cause animals to react unexpectedly.

Considering these animal traits, it is easy to understand why animals often hesitate when going through unfamiliar gates, barn doors, and handling and loading chutes. Similar problems occur when animals are moved away from feed, separated from the herd or approached by an unfamiliar person.

The proper approach to a large animal is critical to working with them safely. Most large animals can see at wide angles around them, but there is a blind spot directly behind their hindquarters beyond which they cannot see.

Any movement in this "blind spot" will make the animal uneasy and nervous. The safest approach is to "announce" your approach through a touch to their front or side.

Most large animals will kick in an arch beginning toward the front and moving toward the back. Avoid this kicking region when approaching the animal.

A frightened cow or horse will plow right over you. It is safer to use proper handling facilities made specifically for separating large animals. Most animals will be more cooperative in moving through a chute that has minimal distractions.

When you are inside a handling facility such as a milking lane, always leave yourself a way to get out if it becomes necessary. Try to avoid entering a small area enclosed with large animals.

Most animals respond best to calm and deliberate movement and responses from a handler. Avoid loud noises and be patient. Never prod an animal when it has no place to go. Move slowly and deliberately around livestock, with the safest approach being to announce your approach through a touch to the animal's front side.

Respect rather than fear livestock. Animals will defend their territory and should be worked around keeping in mind that there is always the potential for harm.

Most animals are highly protective of their young. Be especially careful around newborn animals. Avoid getting between a cow and her new calf. Carry out all new born calf treatment in an area isolated from the cow. Extreme caution should be practiced when handling male animals.

Always provide an escape route, especially when working in close quarters, with sick, or injured animals, or under adverse conditions such as severe storms. Try to avoid entering a small-enclosed area with large animals unless it is equipped with a mangate that you can easily get to.

Exercise extra care around strange animals and use extreme care if strangers must be around your animals. Maintain equipment and facilities in good repair and exercise "good housekeeping practices".

Cattle and horses cannot see directly behind them, (blind spot) therefore sudden movements from behind will spook them, which may result in a "flight or fight" response.

Give dairy cattle a moment to adapt to the new environment before beginning your work.

Always work cattle from the hip, not behind, and keep out of sight unless needed.

Always approach a horse from the left, and from the front if possible. Speak softly when approaching, if behind, to let it know of your presence. When you are within reach, touch the horse first by gently stroking the shoulder or rump and move calmly towards the head.

The following is an image showing how to approach a cow.

In this module it was explained:

Animals are unpredictable and must be handled with care, Cows, horses, and mules may kick, Most large animals have a blind spot directly behind their hindquarters, and The manner in which you approach and handle animals is important.

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:

Describe how a hazard evaluation is done, Describe the process for carrying out a hazard evaluation, List the key elements of job hazard analysis and hazard assessments, and Describe how to evaluate the results of a hazard evaluation and assessment.

The analysis and assessment of hazards should use a systematic method to review hazards in a task, location, and job for the purpose of identifying and improving controls. Severity, probability, and frequency are used to determine risk.

The analysis and assessment of a hazard documents the hazards that may exist, and determines the risk(s) involved. It breaks down the hazard into component parts for future reference and identifies the hazard in terms of its location, task, and person or job title.

The analysis and assessment is used to list controls. In addition to this it helps to describe the knowledge expected of employees for a particular job and identifies maintenance requirements.

Carrying Out an Evaluation

An analysis and assessment needs to be conducted every time:

A new process is introduced, A change has occurred to the current work environment, At predetermined regular intervals, and Before construction of a new work site.

One way to carry out an analysis and assessment is to use a checklist. Ensure that the checklist is thorough, representative, and applies to the type of work site and work being done.

There are some pitfalls to analysis and assessments. Some of these pitfalls include:

Inconsistent data input, Varying determinations of severity, probability, and frequency, The lack of adequate education and training, and Insufficient motivation.

Job Safety Analysis (JSA)

A job safety analysis is a system used to identify hazards and assign controls to a specific job. When conducting a job safety analysis you should break the job into steps, identify the hazards associated with each step, and then determine control methods.

Hazard Assessment

Hazard assessments determine the risk levels in order to prioritize corrective action and select controls. When conducting a hazard assessment, you should:

Determine the scope, Determine by position, task, and location, Determine who performs the assessments, Observe workers, Break jobs down into tasks, Identify potential unsafe acts and conditions, Determine severity, probability, and frequency of each hazard, Determine the risk, Identify the correct controls, and Consider improvements to those controls.

Ensure that you are familiar with processes involved when you are conducting an assessment. It is a good idea to invest time into customizing a tool to suit your needs. A checklist is a good way to keep your assessment organized and easy to reference in the future. Remember to be consistent and be systematic, this helps streamline the process. First, list tasks, then hazards, then suggest controls.

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:

Describe the importance and role that hazard recognition plays in promoting a safe workplace.