Workplace Risk: Understanding and
Managing Hazards
Prepared by: Umar Farooq
Organization: Pace Arabia Company
Date: Oct 27, 2024
Content:
(1) What is workplace hazard and risk?
(2) Why managing workplace risk is important?
(3) Types of workplace risks at workplace
(4) Risk assessment process
(5) Hierarchy of control to mitigate workplace risks
(6) Conclusion
(1) What is workplace hazard and
risk?
A ‘hazard’ is something in the workplace
that could cause harm.
A ‘risk’ refers to the likelihood and
severity of harm resulting from exposure
to the hazard.
Example: Take a bottle of bleach, for
example. Whether this is stored safely up
high or in a locked cupboard, it can still be
thought of as a “hazard” However, the
bleach becomes a “risk” when someone
removes it from storage and does
something unsafe – like drinking it.
(2) Why managing workplace risk is important?
The risk management approach is important for three main
reasons:
(1) So that the organization’s duty of care to its workers,
customers, contractors, visitors and others that work or visit the
organization can be met, as part of the legislative health and
safety requirements.
(2) Out of concern for the health and safety of workers,
contractors, visitors and others at workplaces of the organization.
(3) It makes good business sense and is cost effective.
A key requirement of managing risks in the workplace
is consulting with workers affected by a health and
safety matter. Workers should be involved in the
hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control
processes. Where workers are represented by a
Health and Safety Representative (HSR), this HSR
must be involved in the consultation process. The
legislation also requires that where several Persons
Conducting Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) have
duties for a health and safety matter, these PCBUs
must consult, cooperate and coordinate their risk
management activities to ensure effective
management of the health and safety matter.
Workplace risk and hazard identification, assessment and
control is an on-going process. It should be undertaken at
various times, including:
(1) If it has not been done before.
(2) When the risks and hazards have been identified.
(3) When a change to the workplace may introduce a risk
or a hazard. Such as when changes occur to the work
equipment, practices, procedures or environment.
(4) As part of responding to a workplace incident, even
where an injury has not occurred.
(5) Where new information about a risk becomes
available or concerns about a risk are raised by workers
(6) At regularly scheduled times appropriate to the
workplace.
(3) Types of workplace risks
at workplace
1. Physical Hazard
Physical hazards are extremely common in the
manufacturing or construction sectors. They
pertain to environmental factors like trailing
cables, vibrations, excessive noise, poor
illumination, or radiation.
However, physical hazards can also exist in office
environments and everyday life. Examples of
these common risks would be wet floors and trip
hazards.
Elements like health and safety training courses
as well as personal protective equipment (PPE),
play huge roles in mitigating the risk of these
hazards.
2. Biological Hazards
Biological hazards are more prevalent in workspaces
such as kitchens, care homes and other medical
facilities. There are four types of biohazards:
Level 1: Agents that pose minimal threat to
humans, like E. Coli.
Level 2: Causes of severe illness in humans, agents
such as HIV and hepatitis.
Level 3: Pathogens like tuberculosis that can
become airborne and cause serious diseases.
Level 4: Diseases like Ebola, which are pathogens
that threaten life and have no cure.
Posing a significant risk to humans, these hazards
can be controlled, again, through appropriate
training and the use of PPE.
However, industrial cleaning and a commitment to
keeping workspaces tidy is also an effective way to
mitigate biological hazards.
3. Chemical Hazards
One good example of a chemical hazard is
asbestos. In its standard form, asbestos is not
dangerous.
However, it becomes an acute chemical
hazard when cut or disturbed. The
microscopic fibres can be inhaled, causing
scarring and inflammation. This, in turn, can
develop into respiratory issues ultimately
leading to lungs cancer.
4. Ergonomics Hazards
Ergonomic hazards are physical factors
around the workplace that can lead to
musculoskeletal issues. Common in office
environments, ergonomic hazards are
attached to workstations and performing
standard tasks.
Actions like lifting and carrying heavy
boxes can trigger musculoskeletal issues.
But so too can simple activities such as
sitting at a desk incorrectly.
Because ergonomic hazards are prevalent
in many workplaces, recent figures have
shown that 470,000 workers were suffering
from musculoskeletal disorders in 2022.
5. Psychosocial hazard
A psychosocial hazard is anything that could cause
psychological harm (e.g. harm someone’s mental health).
Common psychosocial hazards at work include:
(1) Job demands
(2) Low job control
(3) Poor support
(4) Lack of role clarity
(5) Poor organizational change management
(6) Inadequate reward and recognition
(7) Poor organizational justice
(8) Traumatic events or material
(9) Remote or isolated work
(10) Poor physical environment
(11) Violence and aggression
(12) Bullying
(13) Harassment, including sexual and gender-based
harassment
(14) Conflict or poor workplace relationships and
interactions
(4) Risk Assessment
Process
The risk assessment
procedure can best be
illustrated in the following
way.
Step 1: Identify Hazards
Workplace health and safety legislation requires that organizations, in consultation with workers
identify all potentially hazardous things or situations that may cause harm. In general, hazards
are likely to be found in the following;
1. Physical work environment
2. Equipment, materials or substances used
3. Work tasks and how they are performed
4. Work design and management
To identify hazards, the following are recommended:
1. Past incidents/accidents are examined to see what happened and whether the
incident/accident could occur again.
2. Employees be consulted to find out what they consider are safety issues, I.e. ask workers
about hazards near misses they have encountered as part of their work. Sometimes a survey or
questionnaire can assist workers to provide information about workplace hazards.
3. Work areas or work sites be inspected or examined to find out what is happening now.
Identified hazards should be documented to allow further action. The work environment, tool
and equipment as well as tasks and procedures should be examined for risks to workplace
health and safety.
4. Information about equipment (e.g. plant, operating instructions) and Material Safety Data
Sheets be reviewed to determine relevant safety precautions.
Step 2: Assess Risks
Risk assessment involves considering the possible results of someone being exposed to a
hazard and the likelihood of this occurring. A risk assessment assists in determining:
1. How severe a risk is
2. Whether existing control measures are effective
3. What action should be taken to control a risk
4. How urgently action needs to be taken.
A risk assessment should include:
1. Identify factors that may be contributing to the risk,
2. Review health and safety information that is reasonably available from an authoritative
source and is relevant to the particular hazard.
3. Evaluation of how severe the harm could be. This includes looking at the types of
injuries/illnesses/harm/damage that can result from the hazard, the number of people exposed,
possible chain effects from exposure to this hazard.
4. Evaluation of how a hazard may cause harm. This includes examining how work is
completed, whether existing control measures are in place and whether they control the harm,
looking at infrequent/abnormal situations as well as standard operating situations. A chain of
events related to a risk may need to be considered.
5. Determining the likelihood of harm occurring. The level of risk will increase as the likelihood
of harm and its severity increases. The likelihood of harm occurring may be affected by how
often the task is completed, in what conditions, how many people are exposed to the hazard
and for what duration.
6. Identify the actions necessary to eliminate or control the risk; and
Step 3: Controlling risks
Once a risk rating is determined, each hazard must have its existing risk control measures
evaluated using the Evaluation of Control Effectiveness Table. This allows for determination of
any additional requirement necessary
Evaluation of Control Effectiveness Table:
Well designed control Effectively implemented
3 Needs 3 Deficient
Improvement
2 Adequate 2 Marginal
1 Strong 1 Effective
Step 4: Implement additional risk controls
Having identified the hazards in your workplace, assessed their risks and
reviewed the existing controls, all hazards must be managed before people are
hurt, become ill or there is damage to plant, property or the environment.
The management of risks in the workplace requires eliminating risks so far as
reasonably practicable in the first instance. Where elimination is not possible,
then risks should be minimized, so far as reasonably practicable.
All hazards that have been assessed should be dealt with in order of priority. The
most effective control option/s should be selected to eliminate or minimize risks.
The Hierarchy of Controls (see diagram below) ranks control options from highest
level of protection and reliability to lowest. This should be used to determine the
most effective control/s.
Hierarchy of control to mitigate )5(
workplace risks
What Is the Hierarchy of Controls?
The hierarchy of controls is a method of
identifying and ranking safeguards to protect
workers from hazards. They are arranged from
the most to least effective and include
elimination, substitution, engineering controls,
administrative controls and personal protective
equipment.
Often, you’ll need to combine control methods
to best protect workers. For example, a local
exhaust system (an engineering control)
requires training, periodic inspections, and
preventive maintenance (administrative
controls). You will also need to consider
.feasibility
1. Elimination
Elimination makes sure the hazard no longer exists.
Examples:
Ending the use of a hazardous material
Doing work at ground level rather than at heights
Stopping the use of noisy processes
2. Substitution
Substitution means changing out a material or process to reduce the hazard.
Examples:
1. Switching to a less hazardous material
2. Switching to a process that uses less force, speed, temperature, or electrical current
3. Engineering Controls
Engineering controls reduce exposure by preventing hazards from coming into
contact with workers. They still allow workers to do their jobs, though.
Examples:
1. Noise enclosures
2. Local exhaust ventilation
3. Guardrail system
4. Machine guards
5. Interlocks
6. Lifting equipment
4. Administrative Controls
Administrative controls change the way work is done or give workers more
information by providing workers with relevant procedures, training, or warnings.
They’re often used together with higher-level controls.
They Include:
1. Procedures, such as equipment inspections, planned preventive
maintenance, checklists, lockout/tagout/tryout, infection prevention and control
practices, changing work schedules, pre- and post-task reviews, and rotation of
workers
2. Training on topics such as hazard communication, permit-required confined
space entry, lockout/tagout/tryout, and safe work procedures
3. Warnings, such as signs, backup alarms, smoke detectors, computer
messages, mirrors, horns, labels, and instructions
5. Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes clothing and devices to
protect workers. PPE needs constant effort and attention (including proper use
and training) from workers. Higher-level controls aren’t always feasible, and PPE
might be needed in conjunction with other control measures.
Examples:
1. Safety Glasses
2. Personal Fall Protection Systems and Related Equipment
3. Hardhats
4. Hearing Protection
5. Respirators
6. Protective Clothing 7. Safety Shoes
(6) Conclusion
Identifying and Managing Workplace Risks:
Identifying and managing workplace risks involves assessing potential hazards
and implementing measures to minimize them, ensuring compliance with safety
standards. This proactive approach creates a safer work environment, reduces
accident risks, and fosters a culture of safety, helping employees feel secure
and motivated.
Safety Safeguards Employees’ Lives and Well-being:
Prioritizing safety safeguards employees’ lives and well-being by reducing the
chances of accidents through training and protective measures. A focus on
safety builds trust and care within the workforce, promoting morale,
productivity, and long-term company success.
