The risk assessment process
Risk assessments aren't pen and paper exercises done at the office desk. They need to be carried out on location, where you can see the hazards for yourself and discuss the risks with the workers involved in the operation.
Being on the spot also allows you to discuss proposed control measures with the operators, and decide on controls that are appropriate for the job and practical to implement.
A formal risk assessment allows you to formally record the processes you've followed to identify workplace hazards, assess the risk of them resulting in an incident and either eliminate the risk or reduce it using control measures.
This documentation helps you to satisfy your 'duty of care' obligations under OHS and environmental legislation. And if an incident does occur that results in a formal investigation, the document becomes crucial to your defence that you did everything you could reasonably have been expected to do to prevent the incident from happening.
The three main steps in carrying out a risk assessment are shown below. Select each link for more details.
You'll find more information on these three steps in the 'Safety and Environment' unit from the Series 12 Timber Toolbox. You can download this learning object for free from the Learning Object Repository Network (LORN) or purchase the whole Toolbox through TVET.
Learning Activity
Here is a brief revision exercise on assessing and controlling risks using the WorkCover risk rating table and hierarchy of controls. Have a look at the scenario below and then complete the activities.
Scenario: Simon is the production manager at a sawmill. He has just completed a risk assessment and identified four hazards. He has assessed the risks associated with each hazard and decided on various control measures to address the risks.
Note that in some cases Simon has chosen more than one control measure to minimise the risks associated with a particular hazard.
As you examine each of the hazards and controls below:
- Look at the risk rating Simon has given the hazard, and then match it up against the WorkCover risk rating table to satisfy yourself that it is appropriate for the situation.
- Identify which type of control Simon has chosen from the hierarchy of controls.
Risk rating: 2
Control measure: Tape off the area so that forklifts can't drive over the pothole.
Risk rating: 2
Control measure: Make arrangements for the bitumen to be resurfaced in the driveway area around the storage shed.
Risk rating: 3
Control measure: Ask the maintenance staff to replace the steel plate with a Perspex plate, so that the operator can look through it to see the blade.
Risk rating: 1
Control measure: Enrol designated workers in a dogging course, and make sure they are accredited with a WorkCover licence before being allowed to use the crane.
Risk rating: 1
Control measure: Require all people working in the vicinity of the crane to wear hard hats when it is being used.
Risk rating: 4
Control measure: Buy a small petrol chainsaw and use it instead of the electric one.