Risk Management / Job Safety Analysis
In order to effectively and efficiently manage workplace safety risk, the involvement and integration of the following elements into all work programs should be included.
Leadership– effective leadership by managers and supervisors is critical to drive and manage correct work practices and implement corrective actions
Consultation–tapping into the wealth of knowledge and experience of the stakeholders and engaging them in identifying practical safe work strategies
Planning– integrating safety into business planning and scheduling pre-determined verification check points without hampering work flow
Resources–adequate resources need to be allocated towards safety programs/equipment and the enhancement of skills and competencies of the workforce
Risk management approach– providing a system for identifying, assessing & controlling all identified risks and known risk to the industry
Performance measurement– ongoing measurement and review of the effectiveness of,safety management processes that are implemented
Feedback–providing useful information on performance to individual business units to assist them with ongoing improvement strategies
The hierarchy of risk control:
- Elimination – Remove the hazard from the workplace.
- Substitution – Use something less hazardous.
- Isolation – Use barriers to shield or isolate the hazard.
- Engineering controls – Design and install equipment to counteract the hazard.
- Administrative controls – Arrange work to reduce the length of time people are exposed to the
hazard. - Personal protective equipment (PPE) – Wear PPE when exposed to the hazard at all times
The hierarchy works from the most effective solution—elimination of the hazard, making for a safe workplace—to the least effective, PPE, which requires individuals to protect themselves. Often the control of a hazard, if it can’t be eliminated, requires the implementation a combination of controls.
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