Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Who am I?
Hazard Identification, Risk
Assessment and Control
 Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Who am I?
Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control
 Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER

Hazards Identification, Risk

Assessment and Control (HIRAC)
Session Objective:
At the end of the session, the participants will be able to
perform risks/hazards assessment, evaluation and recommend
appropriate control measures.

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Risk Assessment process (HIRAC)

HIRAC or the Risk Assessment Process is the

process of identifying workplace hazards,
evaluating risks to workers’ safety and health
and control the relevant hazards.

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
What is a risk assessment?
Risk assessment is a term used to describe the overall
process or method where you:

 Identify hazards and risk factors that have the potential to

cause harm (hazard identification).
 Analyze and evaluate the risk associated with that hazard
(risk analysis, and risk evaluation).
 Determine appropriate ways to eliminate the hazard, or
control the risk when the hazard cannot be eliminated
(risk control).
Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health
http:/www.ccohs.ca/

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Why is risk assessment important?
Risk assessments are very important as they form an integral part of an
occupational health and safety management plan. They help to:
 Create awareness of hazards and risk.
 Identify who may be at risk (e.g., employees, cleaners, visitors,
contractors, the public, etc.).
 Determine whether a control program is required for a particular hazard.
 Determine if existing control measures are adequate or if more should be
done.
 Prevent injuries or illnesses, especially when done at the design or
planning stage.
 Prioritize hazards and control measures.
 Meet legal requirements where applicable.
Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health
Department of Labor and Employment
http:/www.ccohs.ca/
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
What is the goal of risk assessment?

The goal is to try to answer the following questions:

a. What can happen and under what circumstances?
b. What are the possible consequences?
c. How likely [and severe] are the possible consequences to
occur?
d. Is the risk controlled effectively, or is further action
required?

Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health

http:/www.ccohs.ca/

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
When should a risk assessment be done?

There may be many reasons a risk assessment is needed,

including:
 Before new processes or activities are introduced.
 Before changes are introduced to existing processes or
activities, including when products, machinery, tools,
equipment change or new information concerning harm
becomes available.
 When hazards are identified.
 

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
 Risk assessment steps

European Agency of Safety

Health and Safety Executive
and Health at Work

1. Identifying hazards and 1. Identify the hazards

those at risk 2. Decide who might be
harmed and how
2. Evaluating, prioritizing risks
3. Evaluate the risks and
3. Deciding on preventive decide on precautions
action 4. Record your significant
4. Taking action findings
5. Monitoring and reviewing 5. Review your assessment
and update if necessary
Hazard identification
Process of finding and identifying:
- hazardous agents (situations, products etc.) that
could contribute to provoking an occupational
accident or/and disease
- the groups of workers potentially exposed to these
hazards.

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
 Hazards, from where?
• A risk assessment must be carried out before young people start work,
covering hazards and risk factors related to:
· Equipment: workplace lay-out, machines, hand tools,
software and hardware, tables or chairs

· Product: dangerous substances, heavy loads and sharp Equipment

or warm objects

· Environment: light, noise, climate, vibrations, air

quality or dust

· Organisation: tasks, working hours, breaks, shift Product Human Organization

systems, training, communication, team work, contact
with visitors, social support or autonomy.

· Human: lack of physical or mental capacity, lack of

knowledge or skills, lack of right attitude or behavior
Environment

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Categories of Hazards
 Safety Hazards – something that has potential to cause injury
• Poor housekeeping
• Fire
• Use of machine
• Material handling
• Electricity

 Health Hazards – Any agent or activity posing potential hazard to health

• Chemical (vapors, mists fumes, gases, dusts)
• Physical (noise, vibration, illumination, extreme temperature,
extreme pressure, radiation)
• Biological (bacteria, viruses, molds, fungi, protozoa; and insects,
parasites, plants, animals
• Ergonomics (improperly designed tools or work areas, improper
lifting or reaching, poor visual conditions, repeated motion in
awkward position
Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
How are the hazards identified?

 Walk through/ocular inspection

 Review of Processes involved
 Knowing the raw materials used, products and
by-products
 Gathering workers’ complaints
 Safety data sheet

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
How are the hazards identified?

To be sure that all hazards are found:

 Include non-routine activities such as maintenance, repair, or
cleaning.
 Look at accident / incident / near-miss records.
 Include people who work off site either at home, on other job sites,
drivers, teleworkers, with clients, etc.
 Look at the way the work is organized or done (include experience of
people doing the work, systems being used, etc).
 Look at foreseeable unusual conditions (for example: possible impact
on hazard control procedures that may be unavailable in an
emergency situation, power outage, etc.).

Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health

http:/www.ccohs.ca/
Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
How are the hazards identified? (cont.)

To be sure that all hazards are found:

 Determine whether a product, machine or equipment can be
intentionally or unintentionally changed (e.g., a safety guard
that could be removed).
 Examine risks to visitors or the public.
 Consider the groups of people that may have a different level
of risk such as young or inexperienced workers, persons with
disabilities, or new or expectant mothers.

Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health

http:/www.ccohs.ca/
Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
 Evaluation of risk

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
How do you know if the hazard will cause harm
(poses a risk)?

Each hazard should be studied to determine its' level of risk. To

research the hazard, you can look at:

 Product information / manufacturer documentation.

 Past experience (knowledge from workers, etc.).
 Legislated requirements and/or applicable standards.
 Industry codes of practice / best practices.
 Health and safety material about the hazard such as safety data
sheets (SDSs), research studies, or other manufacturer
information.
 Information from reputable organizations.
Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health
http:/www.ccohs.ca/
Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
How do you know if the hazard will cause harm
(poses a risk)? Cont.

Each hazard should be studied to determine its' level of risk. To

research the hazard, you can look at: (cont.)

 Results of testing (atmospheric or air sampling of workplace,

biological swabs, etc.).
 The expertise of an occupational health and safety professional.
 Information about previous injuries, illnesses, near misses,
incident reports, etc.
 Observation of the process or task.

Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health

http:/www.ccohs.ca/

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Medical Surveillance
Purpose of Medical Surveillance
PRIMARY
• prevention of illness.
– Aims of Occupational Health (WHO, ILO)

SECONDARY
• early detection of work-related health problems and
determining its cause.

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Monitoring Strategies
Ambient monitoring Biological monitoring Health surveillance

• measurement and • measurement and • periodic medico-physiologic

assessment of agents at the assessment of agents or their examinations of exposed
workplace metabolites either in tissues, workers
secreta, excreta, expired air,
• evaluates ambient exposure or any combination • aims to protect health and
compared to reference prevent occupationally
• evaluates exposure compared related disease
• Threshold Limit Value to reference

• Biological Exposure Index

Absorption, metabolism,
distribution, elimination

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
 Monitoring Strategies
Monitoring Activity Workplace-Related Events Health Effects
Exposure at the workplace
Environmental - Chemicals
monitoring - Physical agents None

Biologically significant exposure

- Chemicals absorbed
- Early (reversible) changes
Biological monitoring and
Medical surveillance Early
Clinical diagnosis
- measurable health effects

End effects
Treatment and surveillance - diseases Late
(morbidity, mortality) - unfavorable events
(spontaneous abortion)

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Why do we conduct Medical Surveillance?
• Worker populations are not homogenous
• Certain members will be particularly vulnerable or at greater
risk than others. (individual susceptibility)

• Hazard level within safe or acceptable limits do not

guarantee that workers will not be affected.

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Remember to include factors that contribute to the level of risk
such as:
 The work environment (layout, condition, etc.).
 The systems of work being used.
 The range of foreseeable conditions.
 The way the source may cause harm (e.g., inhalation, ingestion,
etc.).
 How often and how much a person will be exposed.
 The interaction, capability, skill, experience of workers who do
the work.

Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health

http:/www.ccohs.ca/

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
 Evaluation of risk
(Risk) ＝ (Probability) of event × (Severity) of harm

Probability

Hazard Hazardous situation Hazardous event Harm

Severity

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
 How are risks ranked or prioritized?
Probability ratings in this example represent:
 High: likely to be experienced once or twice a year by
an individual
 Medium: may be experienced once every five years
by an individual
 Low: may occur once during a working lifetime

Severity ratings in this example represent:

 High: major fracture, poisoning, significant loss of blood, serious head injury, or fatal
disease
 Medium: sprain, strain, localized burn, dermatitis, asthma, injury requiring days off
work
 Low: an injury that requires first aid only; short-term pain, irritation, or dizziness
Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health
http:/www.ccohs.ca/

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
How are risks ranked or prioritized? (cont.)

 These risk ratings correspond to recommended actions such as:

 Immediately dangerous: stop the process and implement controls
 High risk: investigate the process and implement controls immediately
 Medium risk: keep the process going; however, a control plan must be developed
and should be implemented as soon as possible
 Low risk: keep the process going, but monitor regularly. A control plan should also
be investigated
 Very low risk: keep monitoring the process

Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health

http:/www.ccohs.ca/
Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
 Example of Risk Assessment

Priority
Task Hazard Risk Control
(L/M/H)
Painting Stepping on a 1 Falling from 1 meter
a room meter step tool to height
reach higher areas
Severity: cause a short
term strain or sprain. A
severe sprain may
require a few days off
work.

Probability: occur once

in a lifetime as painting
is an uncommon activity
in this organization

Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health

http:/www.ccohs.ca/

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
How are risks ranked or prioritized? (cont.)

Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health

http:/www.ccohs.ca/
Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
 Example of Risk Assessment

Priority
Task Hazard Risk Control
(L/M/H)

Painting Stepping on a 1 Falling from 1 meter

a room meter step tool to height
reach higher areas
Severity: cause a short
term strain or sprain. A
severe sprain may Use of stool with a
require a few days off L large top to maintain
work. stability.

Probability: occur once

in a lifetime as painting
is an uncommon activity
in this organization

Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health

http:/www.ccohs.ca/

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
 CLASSIFICATION OF RISK LEVELS

Low risk establishment – refers to a workplace where there is low level of danger or
exposure to safety and health hazards and not likely or with low probability to result in
accident, harm, injury, or illness.

Medium risk establishment – refers to a workplace where there is moderate expo-

sure to safety and health hazards and with probability of an accident, injury or illness, if
no preventive or control measures are in place.

High risk establishment – refers to a workplace where there is high level of exposure
to safety and health hazards, and probability of a major accident resulting to disability,
death or major illness is likely to occur if no preventive or control measures are in place.

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
 The following are workplaces commonly associated with
potentially high-risk activities:

1. Chemical works and chemical production 11. Power generation, transmission and dis-
plants; tribution in the energy sector;
2. Construction; 12. Storage and distribution center for toxic
3. Deep sea fishing; or hazardous chemicals;
4. Explosives and pyrotechnics factories; 13. Storage of fertilizers in high volume;
5. Firefighting; 14. Transportation;
6. Healthcare facilities; 15. Water supply, sewerage, waste manage-
7. Installation of communication acces- ment, remediation activities;
sories, towers and cables; 16. Works in which chlorine is used in bulk;
8. LPG filling, refilling, storage and distribu- and
tion; 17. Activities closely similar to those enumer-
9. Mining; ated above and other activities as deter-
10. Petrochemical works and refineries; mined by DOLE in accordance with exist -
ing issuances on the classification of es-
tablishments.

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
 Control of Hazards

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER 34
Hierarchy of Controls
Engineering Controls Physically remove the
Elimination hazard

Substitution Replace the hazard

Others • Provide adequate ventilation

• Ventilation • Modification of the process or
• Modification procedure
• Isolate people from the hazard
• Isolation • Provide enclosure to the hazard
• Containment

Administrative Controls • Necessary OSH Issuances

• Work Scheduling
• Training and Education
• Emergency preparedness

PPE
• Protect the worker with PPE
• Last line of Defense

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
 Workshop on the Use of Risk Assessment Tool

Watch video: METAL WORKS

1. Hazard Identification 2. Risk Analysis/Evaluation 3. Risk Control

No Work Activity Hazard Which can Existing Risk Proba- Severity Risk Proposed Due
cause/effect Control (if any) bility Control Date/
Measure Status

1 Cutting a. Safety Hazards

1.
2.
b. Health
Hazards
1.
2.

2 Polishing a. Safety Hazards

b. Health
Hazards

3 Welding a. Safety Hazards

b. Health
Hazards

4 Painting a. Safety Hazards

b. Health
Hazards

Department of Occupational Safety and Health Ministry of Human Resources

Malaysia www.dosh.gov.my/images/dmdocuments/glx/ve_gl_hirarc.pdf
Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Workshop- Team Alpha

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Workshop-Team Bravo

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Workshop-Team Charlie

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Review

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Review questions

1. What are the three major steps in HIRAC?

2. Give the formula in calculating risk?

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
CLEAR POINTS
 When conducting hazard identification, it may help to work as a team
and include both people familiar with the work area, as well as people
who are not - this way you have both the experienced and fresh eye to
conduct the inspection.

 There is no one simple or single way to determine the level of risk. Nor
will a single technique apply in all situations. The organization has to
determine which technique will work best for each situation.

 Ranking or prioritizing hazards is one way to help determine which risk

is the most serious and thus which to control first.

 Any violation of the OSH Standards and other laws must be considered
as immediately dangerous or totally unacceptable.
Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health
http:/www.ccohs.ca/

Department of Labor and Employment

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
 Lahat tayo
pwede maging
maging
OSH CHAMPIONS!