A Hazard is defined as anything that can cause harm.
Example: electricity, chemicals, working with sharp objects etc
Hazards are generally classified as -
Catastrophic- When imminent danger exists capable of causing widespead illness or death
- Critical- When possibility of serious illness, severe injury, damage to property and equipment exists
- Marginal- When there is some possibility of damage, illness or injury but not on a very great or severe extent
- Negligible- When there is a remote possibility of damage beyond first aid case
There are some activities that are more hazardous like roof work, transport movement, maintenance of plant & machinery like installation of equipments, using hand tools etc. Other activities like lifting & carrying raw materials, stacking & storage of falling materials, movement of people/materials causing falls & collisions, processing of raw materials leading to exposure to toxic substances, failure to wear protective equipment like hats, boots etc can also be a cause of concern but usually are not that dangerous.
A Risk is a small or large chance of harm being caused by the hazard. It is calculated by the following formula given by Holt and Andrews (1993)-
Risk=(Severity) * (Probability)
Risk Assessment is the identification of hazards and estimate of risk associated with them. Its purpose is to take preventive action and enable control measures according to the relative importance of risks. If there are more than 5-6 employees then it should definitely be incorporated in an organization’s working.
Risk Assessment is of 2 types-
- Quantitative- This form of risk assessment produces an objective estimate based on specific data that is immediately applicable to the circumstances where risk occurs
- Qualitative- This form of risk assessment is subjective and based on generalised data. If there is little or no specific data available judgements are made systematically after analysing working conditions and hazards.
When a risk assessment is carried out it is necessary to identify who all could be affected by it apart from employees like public coming in to buy products or enlist services, contractors, cleaners etc. Also there should be clarity on what is the worst that could happen, the likelihood of such an incident and the headcount of those affected. Accordingly a risk can be rated as -
- Probable- likely to occur immediately/shortly
- Reasonably Probable- Likely to occur with time
- Remote-May occur with time
- Extremely Remote-Unlikely to occur
An action plan is formulated according to a sequence of safety precedence consisting of the following steps-
- Elimination of Hazards- Using changed proceses, improving designs and using alternatives
- Substitution- Replacement of products used with those that are less hazardous. Example: using less harmful chemicals
- Barrier Usage- Removal of a possible hazard from a worker & vice versa
- Use of Procedures- This involves using safer systems of work that depend on human response and limit exposure. It involves using warning systems like signs & instructions and also protective clothing.
Once the action plan has been formulaed it is necessary to continuously monitor it so as to eliminate hazards or atleast reduce them to an acceptable level.
