Why should I care?

Hazard:  A hazard is any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effects on something or someone under certain conditions at work.

Some examples:

What types of hazards are there? A common way to classify hazards is by category: 1. biological - bacteria, viruses, insects, plants, birds, animals, and humans, etc., 2. chemical - depends on the physical, chemical and toxic properties of the chemical

Hazard types…cont. 3. ergonomic - repetitive movements, improper set up of workstation, etc., 4. physical - radiation, magnetic fields, pressure extremes (high pressure or vacuum), noise, etc, 5. slipping/tripping hazards, inappropriate machine guarding, equipment malfunctions or breakdowns 6. psychosocial - stress, violence, etc.,

Hazards cont… 5. safety – (this category is sometimes included under “physical” hazards)

What is a risk?  Risk is the chance or probability that a person will be harmed or experience an adverse health effect if exposed to a hazard.

Factors that influence the degree of risk include:  how much a person is exposed to a hazardous thing or condition,  how the person is exposed (e.g., breathing in a vapour, skin contact), and

Degree of risk…cont  how severe are the effects under the conditions of exposure.

What is a risk assessment? Risk assessment is the process where you:  identify hazards,analyze or evaluate the risk associated with that hazard, and determine appropriate ways to eliminate or control the hazard.

How are the hazards identified?  look at all aspects of the work, include non-routine activities such as maintenance, repair, or cleaning,  look at accident / incident / near-miss records,  include people who work "off site" either at home, on other job sites, drivers, teleworkers, with clients, etc.,  look at the way the work is organised or "done" (include experience and age of people doing the work, systems being used, etc) thers.

How are hazards identified? Cont.  look at foreseeable unusual conditions (for example: possible impact on hazard control procedures that may be unavailable in an emergency situation, power outage, etc.)  examine risks to visitors or the public,  include an assessment of groups that may have a different level of risk such as young or inexperienced workers, persons with disabilities, or new or expectant mothers.

Take a close look at the environment…(work space) Are there any:  Biological  Chemical  Physical  Ergonomic or  Psychosocial hazards that someone working here will face?

What are the main ways to control a hazard? The main ways to control a hazard include: 1. Elimination (including substitution): remove the hazard from the workplace.

2. Engineering Controls: includes designs or modifications to plants, equipment, ventilation systems, and processes that reduce the source of exposure

How to control hazards…cont. 3. Administrative Controls: controls that alter the way the work is done, including timing of work, policies and other rules, and work practices such as standards and operating procedures (including training, housekeeping, and equipment maintenance, and personal hygiene practices)

How to control hazards…cont. 4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): equipment worn by individuals to reduce exposure such as contact with chemicals or exposure to noise.

PPE  Examples include:

Why is PPE a “last resort”? Personal protective equipment should never be the only method used to reduce exposure except under very specific circumstances because PPE may "fail" (stop protecting the worker) with little or no warning.

Where are controls used? Controls are usually placed: 1. At the source (where the hazard "comes from") 2. Along the path (where the hazard "travels") 3. At the worker

Places to control a hazard…

What about the “health” in WHS?  Let’s take a look at “adverse” or negative health effects…

Adverse health effects include:  bodily injury,  disease,  change in the way the body functions, grows, or develops,  effects on a developing fetus (teratogenic effects, fetotoxic effects),  effects on children, grandchildren, etc. (inheritable genetic effects)

 decrease in life span,  change in mental condition resulting from stress,  traumatic experiences,  exposure to solvents, and so on,  and effects on the ability to accommodate additional stress.