The five steps for risk assessment are:
1. Identify the hazards. This involves identifying all of the potential hazards in the workplace. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as inspections, job hazard analyses, and employee surveys.
2. Assess the risks. Once the hazards have been identified, the next step is to assess the risks associated with each hazard. This involves considering the likelihood of the hazard occurring and the severity of the potential consequences.
3. Control the risks. Once the risks have been assessed, the next step is to develop controls to mitigate those risks. Controls can be engineering controls, administrative controls, or personal protective equipment (PPE).
4. Record your findings. The risk assessment should be documented so that it can be reviewed and updated on a regular basis.
5. Review and update your risk assessment. The risk assessment should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis to ensure that it is effective and up-to-date.
Here is an example of how to use the five steps for risk assessment:
Identify the hazards. A company that manufactures chemicals identifies the following hazards in its workplace:
* Exposure to hazardous chemicals
* Fire and explosion hazards
* Slip, trip, and fall hazards
* Ergonomic hazards
Assess the risks. The company assesses the risks associated with each hazard and determines that the following risks are the most significant:
* Exposure to hazardous chemicals could lead to serious illness or death
* Fire and explosion could lead to serious injury or death to employees and damage to property
* Slip, trip, and falls could lead to serious injuries, such as broken bones and head injuries
* Ergonomic hazards could lead to muscle strains and other repetitive strain injuries
Control the risks. The company develops the following controls to mitigate the risks:
* Engineering controls: The company installs ventilation systems to reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals and to prevent the buildup of flammable gases. The company also installs machine guards to protect employees from moving machinery parts.
* Administrative controls: The company develops and implements safety procedures for handling hazardous chemicals, operating machinery, and working at heights. The company also provides training to employees on these safety procedures.
* Personal protective equipment (PPE): The company provides employees with PPE, such as safety glasses, gloves, and respirators, to protect them from hazards.
Record your findings. The company documents the risk assessment and keeps it on file. The risk assessment is reviewed and updated on a regular basis to ensure that it is effective and up-to-date.
Review and update your risk assessment. The company reviews the risk assessment on a regular basis to ensure that it is still effective and up-to-date. The company also updates the risk assessment whenever there are changes in the workplace, such as new equipment or new processes.
By following these five steps, companies can identify and control the risks in their workplaces. This helps to protect employees and prevent accidents and injuries.
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