Module 03

Risk Management

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Definitions
Hazard
Something with the potential to
cause harm.
 Risk
The likelihood that the harm
will be realised.
When assessing risks the
potential severity of the
consequences is also
considered.
© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Laws requiring risk
assessment
 Section 2(1) HASAWA 1974
 The Control of Substances Hazardous to
Health Regulations (COSHH) 1999
 The Control of Lead at Work Regulations 1998
 The Construction (Health Safety and Welfare)
Regulations 1996
 The Display Screen Equipment
(Health and Safety) Regulations
1992
© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 5 Steps to Risk Assessment
Look for the Hazards
Decide who might be harmed and in
what circumstances
Evaluate the risks, and the adequacy
of existing controls
Record the significant findings
Review the assessment

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Step 1 - Identify the hazards

A Hazard is something with the

potential to cause harm
Physical

Chemical

Biological

Ergonomic

Psychological

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Hazard Identification
Techniques
Inspections
HAZOP
Job Safety Analysis
Hazard Books and Contact Schemes
Fault Tree Analysis The cause of the injury
A man slips and strikes
his head on the floor The direct causes
of the accident

He was hurrying There was oil on The lighting was poor -

the floor he did not see the oil

A1 A2 A3 B1 B2 B3 C1 C2 C3

© CHSS 2003 Underlying or indirect causes

Ref: SC/086/V1
 Hazard Identification
Techniques
The cause of the injury
A man slips and strikes
his head on the floor The direct causes
of the accident

He was hurrying There was oil on The lighting was poor -

the floor he did not see the oil

A1 A2 A3 B1 B2 B3 C1 C2 C3

Underlying or indirect causes

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Step 2 - Decide who might be
harmed & how?
 Consider groups who may be
especially at risk
 the disabled, pregnant workers,
children and young workers

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Step 3 - Evaluate the risks

 Consider the likelihood and severity

 Are existing controls adequate?
 Is there anything else that can be done
to make it safer (SFAIRP)?
 Are legal standards met and best
practice followed?

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Risk Assessment Matrix

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Hierarchy of Control
Eliminate PPE
Reduce Discipline
Isolate
Safe Safe
Control Place Person

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 General Principles of Prevention
avoiding risks;
evaluating the risks which cannot be avoided;
combating the risks at source;
adapting the work to the individual
adapting to technical progress;
replacing the dangerous by the non-dangerous or less
dangerous;
developing a coherent prevention policy, relating to the
working environment;
giving collective protective measures priority over
individual protective measures;
giving appropriate instructions to employees.
© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Step 4 - Record significant
findings
 You must decide what the significant
findings are, they may include;
the significant hazards
the existing control measures
identification of workers affected
reference to other guidance

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Step 5 - Review the
assessment
The assessment must be reviewed when:
You believe it is no longer valid

There has been a significant change in the

matters to which it relates.
• the workplace
• new work rates
• new process or plant
• competency of individuals
• new legal requirements
© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Nilsson v. Redditch Borough Council (1994) 12 CL 467, CA

A safe system of work

“A safe system of work is a formal

procedure which results from a
systematic examination of the task in
order to identify all the hazards. It
defines safe methods to ensure that
hazards are eliminated or risks
minimised.”
Nothing is absolutely safe
 Nilsson v. Redditch Borough Council

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Develop a safe system of work

Analyse the task

MEEP
• Materials
• Equipment and Plant
• Environment
• People

Implement the system

Monitor the system
© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Materials,Equipment,
Environment and People
Environment
Temperature,Lighting,
Noise,Ventilation etc.
People Equipment
Systems Design
Training Ergonomics
Skills Maintenance
Motivation Inspections
etc. Materials etc.
Use
Handling
Storage
Transportation
Disposal etc.

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Permit to Work - Situations
High risk activities including
Confined space entry Just
remember -
the failure to
Live working manage
permits has
cost lots of
Hot/Cold work lives in the
past - Piper
Alpha, Barry
Hazardous areas long Sea
Outfall,
Maintenance operations Carsington...

Pressurised systems

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1
 Format of a Permit to Work

Issue
Receipt
Clearance and return to service
Cancellation Just remember
- the failure to
manage
permits has

Extensions cost lots of lives

in the past -
Piper Alpha,
Barry long Sea
Outfall,
Carsington...

© CHSS 2003
Ref: SC/086/V1