Managing risk

Identifying hazards in the workplace involves finding those situations or things that could cause physical or psychological harm to people.  This can occur in various aspects of work including:

• physical work environment
• equipment, materials and substances used
• work tasks and how they are performed and
• work design and management

Hazard identification starts with reviewing the various aspects of work and determining what hazards are present.  This identification process might occur during the design phase of  a project, pre purchasing checks of equipment and plant, by observing current work practices,  inspections or audits, issues or concerns raised by staff or from an accident / incident. 

Once a hazard or hazards have been identified then a formal risk assessment needs to be completed. This should  consider what could happen (the outcome) to someone if they are exposed to a hazard and the likelihood of it happening.  Risk assessments are useful in determining:

• how severe a risk is
• whether any existing control measures are effective or not
• what action should be taken to control the risk, and
• how urgently the action needs to be taken

Risk assessments can assist in identifying hazards that staff, students or others  may be exposed to for example electrical, manual handling, slips, trips and falls, psychosocial, machinery and equipment (plant), hazardous chemicals, extreme temperatures, noise, radiation and biological.

When assessing the risk you need to use  one of the available risk assessment templates, there is a risk matrix which assists in the determination of the risk level by considering the likelihood and severity of the risk.

When considering controls that you will implement  the highest level of control is eliminating of risk and this should be considered first. This of course  is not always possible and the aim is therefore to reduce the risk as low as reasonably practicable by selecting other controls in line with the hierarchy of control shown below.

Hierarchy of controls from How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risk, SafeWork SA, Figure 2, pg 19.

Using control measures with a higher level of health and safety protection (Substitution, Isolation, Engineering) is more likely to reduce the risk of harm whereas control measures  such as Administration and Personal Protective Equipment offer lower levels of protection.   It is important to note that more than one control measure may be used to address the risk. Often lower level control measures may be used to supplement higher level control measures.

Implementing Controls

When implementing control measures they need to be supported where relevant with Safe Work Procedures, training, instruction and supervision.

Note - There are a number of hazards where specific WHS Regulations, Codes of Practice or Australian Standards set out controls that must be implemented.

Once you have identified the hazards  and the control measures  the need to be implemented, then reassess the  risk to see if these controls reduce the risk to as low as reasonably practicable, i.e. what is the residual risk, can more be done?

Periodic review of risk assessments, safe work procedures and the associated controls must be at a minimum reviewed every 5 years or anytime when  there are new hazards introduced, changes to work practices or processes that may have created a change in the risk.

The review should also consider the effectiveness of current controls ( i.e. have they prevented injury). Also consider any new available information about hazards, advances or changes to technology and available controls measure,  any updated legislative requirements or improved industry standards.

Consultation is an important part of this risk management process as it considers the different experience, knowledge and/or skills of others.  Supervisors and managers must consult, so far as is reasonably practicable, with workers, the elected Health and Safety Representatives (for the work area), students or others who will carry out the work.

It is important that consultation takes place at each stage of the risk management cycle so that the best outcomes and safety levels are achieved in the process.

Part of the commitment to health and safety by managers and supervisors is to ensure the risk management process is implemented and effective.  This is more than just completing the risk assessment paper work, it requires;

• Accountability for health and safety – managers and supervisors must manage risk in the areas and for the work they have responsibility for.
• Maintenance of plant and equipment – ensure that maintenance is scheduled, regular inspection and testing, repairs and replacements occur.
• Up-to-date training and competency –Managers and supervisors must ensure that, before work, study or research begins, workers and students and others under their supervision have the information, instruction and training to perform their work, study or research in a safe manner and without risks to health and safety.
• Up-to-date hazard information – risks must be regularly reviewed  if there is any updated information supplied by manufacturers and suppliers, when introducing new technology , or there are changes in operating/ working conditions.
• Regular review and consultation – maintaining control measure effectiveness by reviewing work procedures and consulting with workers and their representatives. 

Information collected during the risk management process such as risk assessments must be recorded and kept by the local area.

There are specific requirements for record keeping in the WHS regulations.  For some hazards including hazardous chemicals, plant and equipment, the time periods to keep records is extensive.  It is important to refer to the topic area and the records management document regarding timeframes and requirements for those specific hazards.

Risk Management training provides the basic background knowledge of the risk management lifecycle, what risk assessments are and how to use the Work Health and Safety risk assessment templates.

The Auditing procedure sets out the processes for planning and conducting health and safety and injury management audits at the University.

There are 3 types of WHS audits.

1. Internal Audit

An internal audit is a systematic, and wherever possible, independent examination, carried out by a competent person, appointed by the University, to determine whether

• an activity or activities and related results conform to planned arrangements;
• these arrangements are implemented effectively; and
• whether they are suitable to achieve the University's policy and objectives.

The results of the internal audits must be documented and staff consulted about them. Preventative/corrective action plans must be subsequently developed and implemented.
 

2. Legislative Compliance Audit

A legislative compliance audit is a systematic and documented verification process to obtain and evaluate evidence to determine that the University's WHS policies, procedures and practices comply with legislative requirements.
 

3. ReturntoWorkSA Evaluation

A ReturntoWorkSA evaluation is a review undertaken by ReturntoWorkSA to evaluate the University's overall compliance with the requirements of the ReturntoWorkSA Performance standards for self-insured employers or in relation to a particular matter of compliance.
 

Refer to the WHS Auditing Procedures for further details.