OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT-Risk Controls

Summary

This video covers essential aspects of Occupational Health and Safety, focusing on Risk Controls. It builds on prior discussions of the risk assessment process, delving into the third, fourth, and fifth steps: evaluating existing controls, implementing additional ones when necessary, and monitoring their effectiveness. The video explains the hierarchy of controls, from elimination and substitution to engineering, administrative measures, and PPE. The importance of continuous review and adjustment of controls is emphasized, ensuring the safety of workers through a systematic, ongoing risk management process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Risk control measures are a critical part of occupational health and safety, designed to reduce workplace hazards and protect employees.
• 😀 The five steps of the risk assessment process include: Identifying the risk, Assessing the risk, Evaluating existing controls, Implementing additional controls, and Monitoring & Reviewing.
• 😀 Evaluating existing controls involves checking if the current measures are effective in reducing risks. If not, additional controls must be implemented.
• 😀 Risk control measures should include eliminating hazards, substituting more harmful materials, and taking precautionary actions like training and SOPs.
• 😀 The **Risk Evaluation Table** is a tool that helps track the effectiveness of current controls and provides a reference for future assessments.
• 😀 When existing controls fail, additional measures should be implemented. The most effective controls are elimination and substitution, followed by engineering, administrative controls, and finally PPE as a last resort.
• 😀 The **Hierarchy of Control** ranks controls from most to least effective, prioritizing elimination, substitution, and engineering controls before administrative controls and PPE.
• 😀 Engineering controls, such as redesigning the workplace or installing ventilation systems, aim to reduce risk by physically altering the environment, minimizing the need for human intervention.
• 😀 Administrative controls focus on changing work procedures and policies, such as training, job rotation, and safety rules, to reduce exposure to hazards.
• 😀 PPE is considered the least effective control because it does not eliminate or reduce the hazard, it merely protects the worker from exposure when the hazard cannot be avoided.
• 😀 Ongoing monitoring and review are essential for determining if risk controls are effective and whether adjustments or new measures are required. Risk assessments should be reviewed regularly or whenever there is a change in the workplace.

Q & A

What are the five stages of risk assessment in occupational health and safety?

The five stages of risk assessment are: 1) Identify the risks, 2) Assess the risks, 3) Evaluate existing controls, 4) Implement additional controls if necessary, and 5) Monitor and review the effectiveness of controls.

What is the purpose of evaluating existing controls in risk assessment?

The purpose of evaluating existing controls is to assess their effectiveness. If they are not sufficient, additional controls should be implemented to mitigate risks and ensure safety.

Why is elimination considered the most effective form of risk control?

Elimination is the most effective form of risk control because it completely removes the hazard from the workplace, eliminating the risk entirely.

How does substitution work as a method of risk control?

Substitution involves replacing a hazardous item or process with a less dangerous alternative. For example, replacing a noisy machine with a quieter one or using a less harmful chemical.

What are engineering controls, and why are they preferred in risk management?

Engineering controls modify the workplace environment or processes to reduce exposure to hazards. They are preferred because they are designed to eliminate or minimize risks without relying on human behavior or personal protective equipment (PPE). Examples include ventilation systems and machine modifications.

What are administrative controls, and how do they help mitigate workplace hazards?

Administrative controls involve changes to work procedures and policies, such as implementing safety training, rotating tasks, or adjusting work schedules. They aim to reduce the duration, frequency, and severity of exposure to hazards.

Why is personal protective equipment (PPE) considered the last line of defense in risk management?

PPE is considered the last line of defense because it does not eliminate or control the hazard itself. Instead, it only protects the individual worker from exposure, making it less effective than other forms of control like elimination or engineering controls.

What is the hierarchy of controls, and how does it guide risk management?

The hierarchy of controls is a system used to prioritize risk control methods, starting with the most effective: 1) Elimination, 2) Substitution, 3) Engineering controls, 4) Administrative controls, and 5) PPE. This framework helps employers choose the most effective strategy for managing workplace hazards.

How do organizations balance cost with risk control measures?

Organizations balance cost with risk control measures by evaluating the effectiveness of different strategies, considering the financial implications of implementing each control, and prioritizing those that offer the greatest risk reduction at a reasonable cost.

Why is regular monitoring and review important in risk management?

Regular monitoring and review are important because they help assess the effectiveness of existing controls, identify any gaps, and allow for adjustments to be made. This ongoing process ensures that the workplace remains safe and compliant with safety standards.