Objectives
1. Indicators of Risk & Hazard in a
workplace
2. Risk Assessment
(a) Introduction
(b) Objectives / benefits of risk assessment
(c) Forms of Risk Assessment
(d) Steps followed during Risk Assessment
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2. Indicators of Risk and
Hazard in a Workplace
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Occupational Health Indicators
This is a specific measure of a work-related disease or
injury, or a factor associated with occupational health,
such as workplace exposures, hazards, or interventions
[July/August 2023]
State FOUR indicators of risks and hazards that may occur in
the workplace (4 marks)
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Indicators
(i) High Sickness, Ill-Health, And Absentee Rate
(ii) High Rate Of Accidents & Incidents
(iii) High Insurance Premiums
(iv) High staff turnover
(v) Lack of resources dedicated to Health & Safety
(vi) Prevalence of unsafe work practices
(viii) Stress, anxiety, and low work morale
(ix) Increased safety complaints & grievances
among works
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3. Risk Assessment
The identification of preventative and protective
measures by the evaluation of the risk(s) arising from a
hazard(s), (taking into account the adequacy of any
existing controls, and deciding whether or not the risk(s)
is acceptable.)
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Hazard
A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm
Risk
The likelihood of potential harm from that hazard being
realized
Accident
Any unplanned event that results in injury or ill-health of
people, or damage or loss to property, plant, materials or
the environment or a loss of a business opportunity
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Incident
Incident includes all undesired circumstances and “near
misses” which could cause accidents
[July/August 2023]
Define the following terms as used in Occupational Safety &
Health Practices (4 marks)
(a) Risk Analysis (b) Hazard Identification
Risk Analysis
process for comprehending the nature of hazards and
determining the level of risks
Hazard Identification
The process of finding, listing and characterizing
hazards 8
(a). Objectives
of
Risk Assessment
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Benefits/Objectives
[July/August 2023]
Identify four benefits of conducting risk assessment
(4 marks)
(i) Prevent / reduce accidents in a workplace
(ii) Prevent loss and damages to the means of
production, e.t.c
(iii) Achieve high morale among workers
(iv) Helps in greater awareness of risk and hazards in a
workplace
(v) Employee education with regards to safety
(vi) For proper documentation of risk control measures
(vii) Helps to allocate budget for risk control
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(b). Forms
of
Risk Assessment
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(i) Qualitative
Risk Assessment
* It is based purely on personal judgement and is
normally defined as high, medium or low.
* The risk level (high, medium or low) is normally
used to determine the time frame over which further
action is to be taken.
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(ii) Quantitative
Risk Assessment
* Attempts to measure the risk by assigning the risk
a numerical value
* This is done by relating the probability of the risk
occurring to the possible severity of the outcome
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(iii) Generic
Risk Assessment
* This type of assessment covers common hazards
for a task or activity, across different sites, or
departments
* The idea behind it is to cut down on duplication of
effort and paperwork
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(iv) Dynamic
Risk Assessment
* The process of assessing risk in an on-the-spot
situation, in order to cope with unknown risk and
handle uncertainty.
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(v) Site Specific
Risk Assessment
Find Out!
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(c). Steps Followed
When carrying out
Risk Assessment
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Procedure
(a) Look for the Hazards
(b) Decide who might be harmed and how
(c) Evaluating the risk and deciding on
appropriate risk control measures
(d) Recording of significant findings
(e) Review the assessment and update if
necessary
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(i) Looking for the Hazard
* Seek out the identity of the Hazards. This could be
done by appraisal of routine activities, sampling,
examining machine operations, to identify the presence
of hazards
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(ii) Decide who might be harmed and how
* For every hazard, be clear on who might be harmed,
or exposed. This could be: workers/operators, visitors,
trainees, members of public, expectant mothers,
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(iii) Evaluate the risk and decide on
appropriate risk control measures
* Look at the likelihood and possible severity of harm
occurring. The higher the risk, the more priority should
be given. Also, based on the risks and assessment, risk
control measures should be decided.
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(iv) Recording of significant findings
* A written risk assessment is a legal requirement,
as is also used to communicate hazards and control
measures to the workforce.
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(v) Review the assessment and update if
possible
* Periodically review of the assessment should be done
to accommodate changing conditions and feedback from
employees. This ensures it is up to date.
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Up Next:
1. Risk & Hazard Control
Measures
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