HAZARDS

Hazard identification is aimed at determining potential risks associated with any given assignment to be performed by an employee .It involves identification of locations and processes associated with the risk, as well as employees who are exposed, or people who might be exposed to it such as visitors, employees or contractors. Hazard identification should encompass the whole work system. The process of hazard identification is based on direct observation of the site and all available hazard data, as well as observations made on the walk-through survey. Detailed information on equipment and raw materials, systems of work and human factors should be available, together with a sketch of the working area.

·          Hazard: Anything with the potential to cause harm, electricity, hazardous substances and noise are examples of typical hazards.

·          Risk: The likelihood that damage, loss or injury will be caused by a hazard and how severe the outcome may be.

Planning:       The Health and Safety risk approach the following five steps:

Ø identify the hazards associated with work activities

Ø identify who could be harmed by those hazards

Ø identify how you manage the risks at present and what further steps might be required to reduce the risks further.

Ø record the findings of your assessment and inform those at risk of the controls

Ø review the risk assessment on a regular basis, e.g. if the staff, the activity, or the equipment used change.