What is a risk assessment?
The mishaps that can occur while we are performing an activity are called risks. A document designed according to the workplace risks associated with the activities is called a risk assessment.
Identify the risks in the workplace that can be according to workplace conditions, equipment, and nature of the activity. Identify the hazards and identify the type of control. Suggest the existing risk control.
How do you make a risk assessment?
Putting a machine, helping tools, or human effort at a standard. A document called a risk assessment document clarifies and identifies hazards and their remedies. Noticing hazards and finding their solutions is very important. Worker safety, machine safety, and production are important factors in industries. Unsafe use of power sources at the machine can be dangerous for workers and machines. Use the power source at the machine through the safe procedure.
To make an effective Risk Assessment form, follow the steps below. It starts with finding hazards and risks and ends with reviews of control.
Steps to make a Risk Assessment document
| S.no | Steps | How to |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Assess the Risks | 1. General Checklists. 2. Gamba walk. 3. Inspection of tools, equipment, and environment. |
| 2. | Identify Hazards | 1. Level of severity of the hazard. 2. History of Hazard. 3. Number of effects |
| 3. | Identify Control | 1. Categorize the types of control (i) Engineering control (ii) Administrative Control Engineering Controls: Physically control or the checkpoints to control the hazard Administrative Control: Provision of safety equipment and alternatives to control the hazard. Provision of working SOP for better safety. |
| 4. | Record of Hazard | Find out the history of this type of hazard. Number of affected workers without control and rating after control. |
| 5. | Review the Control | Check the control and effectiveness of the control and long-term results of this control. |
Example of risk assessment
For example, if you want welding work on equipment. You should know the risks associated with welding work related to personal safety, equipment safety, and assets safety.
First Assess the risks: Risks in welding work are fire risk, short circuit risk, and electric shock risk. You can also find more risks by different procedures like safety checks and a simple gamba walk.
Second, identify hazards: Hazards in the welding work are burning of material, equipment, and personnel by fire risk. Fire, personal injury or death, and equipment losses by short circuit. Personal injury or death and tool damage by electric shock.
Thirdly, control the risks: identify and categorize controls. First Engineering Control: checking of personal safety gear. Gain personal safety according to the type of welding. check the tools used during the welding process like the tool condition and cable damage. Decertify the area. Second Administrative Control: Provision of PPEs and safety gear according to the type of welding. Provision of welding work SOP. Availability of fire extinguishers and fire detection systems. SOP for lockout tagout. Prechecking of welding work area and Issue hot work permit.
Fourth, record your findings: Make a record of injuries, mishaps, incidents, and accidents that occur during the welding procedure for use in the future. and remark if any abnormality.
Fifthly Review the controls: If the welding process is performed safely then review the control for sustain this safety control procedure.
- First, assess the risks.
- Secondly, identify hazards.
- Thirdly Control the risks.
- Fourthly Record your findings.
- Fifthly Review the controls.
5 Types of Risks and Risk Assessment form
- Operational
- Financial
- Strategic
- Compliance
- Reputational
- Qualitative risk assessment.
- Quantitative risk assessment.
- Generic risk assessment.
- Site-specific risk assessment.
- Dynamic risk assessment.
Example of Risk Assessment form
Difference between risk and hazard
The terms risk and hazard are related but distinct, especially in fields like safety, environmental science, and risk management. Here’s how they differ
| Risk | Hazard |
|---|---|
| Definition: Risk refers to the likelihood or probability that harm or damage will occur due to exposure to a hazard, with the severity of the potential outcome. | Definition: A hazard is a potential source of harm or adverse effect. It is an inherent property or condition that can cause injury, illness, or damage. |
| Focus: The probability and impact of harm occurring. | Focus: The intrinsic property of something that makes it capable of causing harm. |
| Example: The risk of injury from a sharp knife depends on how it is used (e.g., safely in a controlled environment vs. recklessly). The risk of exposure to chlorine gas increases if there is a leak in a storage system. | Example: A chemical like chlorine gas is hazardous because it can cause respiratory damage if inhaled. A sharp knife is a hazard because it can cut. |
| Summary: Risk is about how likely it is to cause harm and how severe that harm could be | Summery: Hazard is about what could cause harm |
Risks according to power sources
- 1. Electrical power
- 2. Mechanical power
- 3. Pneumatic power
- 4. Hydraulic power
- 5. Chemical power
To find out the risks associated with these power sources