Maximizing Workplace Safety: A Guide to Hazard Identification and Assessment
Updated: Jan 11, 2023
Workplace safety is of the utmost importance in any industry, but it is especially critical in the industrial sector, where hazards can often be more numerous and more severe. One of the key components of maintaining a safe work environment is the ability to identify and assess hazards.
Hazard identification is the process of identifying potential sources of harm or danger in the workplace. This can include anything from equipment and machinery to chemical substances, to physical environments, to human behaviour. It is important to note that hazards can be both visible and hidden, and they can also be immediate or latent.
Once a hazard has been identified, it is important to assess the hazard in order to determine the level of risk it poses to workers. This assessment should take into account the likelihood of the hazard occurring, as well as the potential consequences if it does occur. For example, a hazard that has a high likelihood of occurring and could potentially result in serious injury or death would be considered higher risk than a hazard that has a low likelihood of occurring and would only result in minor injuries.
So, how can a worker identify and assess hazards in the workplace? Here are a few tips:
Look around your work area regularly. Take the time to visually inspect your work area for potential hazards. This can include looking for things like damaged equipment or machinery, hazardous substances, or unsafe conditions such as wet or cluttered floors.
Use your senses. Pay attention to your surroundings and use your senses to identify hazards. For example, if you smell a chemical spill or hear the sound of a machine that is not functioning properly, these could be signs of a hazard.
Ask questions. If you are unsure about something or have concerns about a potential hazard, don't be afraid to ask questions. Your supervisor or a safety professional should be able to provide you with the information you need to stay safe.
Participate in safety meetings and training. Attend safety meetings and take advantage of any safety training opportunities that are offered. These can be great sources of information about potential hazards and how to stay safe.
Once a hazard has been identified and assessed, it is important to take steps to control or eliminate it. This may involve implementing safety procedures, implementing controls such as guards or barriers, or replacing hazardous equipment or machinery.
On-Track Safety can help with the process of hazard identification and assessment in a number of ways. First and foremost, we offer a range of online training courses that can help workers identify and assess hazards in their work environment. These courses cover topics such as hazard identification and assessment, safety in the workplace, and incident investigation, and they are designed to be interactive and engaging.
In addition to training, On-Track Safety can also help with the creation of formal hazard assessments, custom training programs and FLHA forms. A formal hazard assessment is a document that outlines the potential hazards in a work environment and the controls that are in place to mitigate these hazards. An FLHA form (Field Level Hazard Assessment) is a tool that can be used to identify and assess hazards in the workplace. These forms are typically completed by a safety professional and can be used to identify both visible and hidden hazards, as well as immediate and latent hazards.
Overall, hazard identification and assessment is a crucial part of maintaining a safe work environment in the industrial sector. By taking the time to identify and assess hazards, workers can help to prevent accidents and injuries and ensure that they are working in the safest possible environment.
Helpful Links
On-Track Safety: On-Track Safety is a company that provides safety training and assistance with the creation of formal hazard assessments and FHLA forms. Their website includes information on their safety training courses and services, as well as resources on hazard identification and assessment. https://www.ontracksafety.com/
Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE): The CSSE is a professional society for safety professionals in Canada. Their website includes resources on hazard identification and assessment, including best practices and case studies. https://www.csse.org/resources/risk-management-and-hazard-identification-and-assessment
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB): The WSIB is a Canadian organization that provides workplace safety and insurance coverage to workers in Ontario. Their website includes a section on hazard identification and assessment, with information on how to identify and assess hazards in the workplace and resources such as hazard assessment tools and checklists. https://www.wsib.ca/en/health-and-safety/hazard-identification-and-assessment
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS): The CCOHS is a Canadian organization that provides information and resources on occupational health and safety. Their website includes a section on hazard identification and assessment, with information on how to identify and assess hazards in the workplace and resources such as hazard assessment forms and guides. https://www.ccohs.ca/topics/hazards/
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