Faculty of Science Risk Assessment Procedure Version 1.0 TRIM file number 11/ Faculty of Science Doc No Short description Relevant to Authority Responsible officer Responsible office Procedure outlining the formal risk assessment process used by the FSc to ensure all activities conducted in the FSc Faculties and off campus localities used for work, research or study implement controls to mitigate and/or reduce the risk of incidents, injury or damage. CSU staff, students and researchers This Procedure has been approved by [Dean, Faculty of Science] under the Governance (Policy and Procedures) Rule 2005 of the Council and sections 20 and 32 of the CSU Act. Manager, University Laboratories Dean Faculty of Science Date introduced 1 August 2011 Date(s) modified Next scheduled review date August 2014 Related University documents CSU Occupational Health and Safety policy CSU Risk Management Policy CSU Hazard Scale CSU Hazard Log CSU Risk Register ELMO OHS Online Training Related legislation NSW OHS Act 2000 & Regulation 2001 Key words References Procedure, risk, hazard, rating, consequence, assessment AS/NZS 4360:2004 Risk Management AS/NZS HB 205:2004 Workcover Hazpak Risk Assessment Procedure Page 1 of 7
1. PURPOSE In accordance with the CSU Occupational Health and Safety Policy, the CSU Risk Management Policy and the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 the Faculty of Science (FSc) shall provide a safe and healthy environment for staff, students, visitors and contractors. One mechanism for achieving this is by applying risk management principles. Risk Management is a logical and systematic method used to control risk in a structured manner. It does this by reducing the risk (likelihood and severity) of incidents, injury or damage resulting from specific activities. The FSc uses a formal risk assessment document and a risk register to achieve this. 2. SCOPE All activities conducted in FSc Facilities and off campus localities used for work, research or study (e.g. field sites and placement facilities). 3. PROCEDURE For all activities conducted in FSc Facilities and off campus localities used for work, research or study (eg. field sites and placement facilities) a risk assessment shall be completed. The risks assessment will be completed by the person or persons who normally undertake the task in consultation with their colleagues, line manager and facility manager. The risk assessment will be completed on the FSc approved form and will: identify the tasks - list the substances, equipment and methods that are going to be used for the job identify the hazards associated with the task identify and assess the risks associated with these hazards when doing the task implement control measures to eliminate or minimise the risks measure and evaluate the effectiveness of the controls 3.1 Identify the task Describe the work process or task and identify substances, equipment and methods that will be used. Consult Standard Operating Procedure/s (SOP) or develop if not available. 3.2 Identify the hazards A hazard is defined as something that has the potential to harm the health, safety and welfare of people at CSU, or damage property, equipment or the environment. Some hazards that may be experienced are: Noise Light Radiation, X-Rays Extreme temperatures Electricity Contact with blood and/or body fluids Risk Assessment Procedure Page 2 of 7
Moving or falling objects (or people) Flammable or explosive materials Objects under tension or pressure (compressed gas cylinders) or liquid; springs Other energy sources or stresses 3.3 Identify and assess the risks Risk refers to the likelihood that a hazard will cause injury, illness or disease, and the severity of the injury, illness or disease that may result. Risk level may vary between employees depending on, for example, training, skills and experience, physical capabilities, environmental conditions and the number and complexity of tasks being carried out in unison. Some considerations: Are there heavy or awkward lifting jobs? Are people properly trained? Do people follow correct work practices? Is there poor housekeeping? Look out for clutter, torn or slippery flooring Sharp objects sticking out What if equipment is misused? What might people do that they shouldn t How could someone be killed? How could people be injured? What may make people ill? Inadequate ventilation Isolation Accidental spill Equipment malfunction 3.3.1 Determine the severity Assess the severity of the potential outcome from a hazard (table 1). Some potential outcomes include: Broken bones Eye damage Hearing problems Strains or sprains Cuts or abrasions Bruises Burns Lung problems Poisoning Inhalation Ingestion Eye contamination Skin exposure Risk Assessment Procedure Page 3 of 7
Table 1 Severity Severity Level Potential outcomes!!!! Kill or cause permanent disability!!! Long term illness or serious injury!! Medical attention and several days off work! First aid needed 3.3.2 Determine the likelihood Table 2 Likelihood Likelihood Level Very likely Likely Unlikely Very unlikely Potential outcomes Expected to occur Chance of it occurring in many circumstances Chance of it not occurring in most circumstances Not likely to occur 3.3.3 Risk Assessment Matrix Cross referencing the severity of an event with the likelihood of it occurring using the risk assessment matrix (table 3). This enables the level of risk associated with the hazard to be identified. Table 3 Risk Assessment Matrix SEVERITY How severely could it hurt someone or How ill could it make someone? ++ Very likely Could happen at any time LIKELIHOOD How likely is it to be that bad? + Likely Could happen sometime - Unlikely Could happen, but very rarely - - Very unlikely Could happen, but probably never will!!!! Kill or cause permanent disability or ill health 1 1 2 3!!! Long term illness or serious injury 1 2 3 4!! Medical attention and several days off work 2 3 4 5! First aid needed 3 4 5 6 Risk Assessment Procedure Page 4 of 7
3.3.4 Interpreting the Matrix Table 4 Matrix Interpretation Matrix number Attention Actions Who should sign RA 1 Urgent Act now if a situation arises. Notify Supervisor immediately 2 High priority 3 Medium priority 4 Low priority 5 Monitor Risk 6 Monitor Risk Act now Notify Supervisor today To proceed you require HOS or MUL (or delegate) sign off Action required this week Requires Facility Manager and Supervisor to sign prior to starting Hazard may not need immediate attention Requires Facility Manager to sign If hazard increases in risk, take action. Requires Facility Manager to sign If hazard increases in risk, take action. Requires Laboratory manager to sign Process to be Followed The task CANNOT PROCEED without lowering the risk. Implement as many of the hierarchy of controls as possible before re-determining the risk The proposed activity can proceed under all the following circumstances: I. The risk has been reviewed to get a ranking as low as possible using the hierarchy of controls II. The controls identified include those stated in the Codes of Practice, the Australian Standards and in relevant legislation III. The supervisor must review the document and the effectiveness of the implemented risk controls IV. RA is signed by HOS or MUL V. All documents to be forwarded to Faculty of Science Office (MUL) The proposed activity can proceed under the following circumstances: I. The risk has been reviewed to get a ranking as low as possible using the hierarchy of controls VI. The risk assessment has been reviewed by the supervisor and the Facility Manager VII. The SOP are in place and implemented Manage by implementation of documented procedure ie: SOPs and Risk register and the use of the hierarchy of controls Manage by implementation of documented procedures Manage by implementation of documented procedures NOTE: All risk assessment documents must be signed and records kept. All risk assessments with a Level of Risk 2 or 1 must also be archived in the University s Electronic Records management system. 3.4 Other risk outcome - easily resolved If a risk is easily resolved it needs to receive immediate attention e.g. moving packing crates that have been stacked in front of an exit. These issues once resolved are not assessed or scaled for risk level. Risk Assessment Procedure Page 5 of 7
3.5 Approving the risk The risk assessment should be reviewed and signed by the appropriate authority (or higher) as designated by risk level (Table 4). Where there is a disagreement about the level of risk, the assessment is referred to the Manager, Occupational Health and Safety for assessment. The task cannot proceed until resolution is reached by all the parties. 3.6 Implement control measures Implement control measures (Table 5) to eliminate or minimise the risks and hazards wherever practicable. If it is NOT practicable to eliminate the risks, then the risks need to be reduced through substitution or engineering controls. Control measures are hierarchal and it is important for implantation to start at the highest level. The last level of control is to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) against the risk. PPE does nothing to minimise or alter the original risk, and any failure of the PPE exposes the wearer to the full hazard potential. Table 5 - Hierarchy of Controls Hierarchy Control Measure Detail 1 Elimination Eliminate the risk by removing the hazard 2 Substitution Substitute less hazardous materials, equipment, processes or substances 3 Engineering Controls Isolate hazards through the use of guards etc Redesign the work methods by using mechanical aids, use of tools or equipment 4 Administrative Controls Ensure safe operating procedures are in place, registers, signage, training etc 5 Personal protective equipment Use appropriately designed PPE for the task eg gloves, eye protection etc 3.7 Measure and Evaluate the Risk The effectiveness of controls needs to be measured and evaluated The Facility Manager should maintain a Risk Control Plan outlining the hazards, priorities, objectives, control measures, target dates, persons responsible, resources, performance indicators, review date and progress. Employees should be consulted and informed about any interim or final plans. Monitoring can be carried out by: inspecting and testing by the supervisor or through audits consultation with employees observation relevant OHS complaints relevant hazard reports injury and illness records relating to the risks being controlled Risk Assessment Procedure Page 6 of 7
To prevent the introduction of new hazards into the workplace, risk management needs to be integrated into: planning and design of the work environment and work tasks; design and procurement of equipment; and procurement of all other goods and services. The intended use and maintenance of facilities, equipment and systems should be considered. If a process, product or workplace is designed and built with health and safety in mind, the number of corrective measures required will be minimised. A checklist of essential and desirable features in new equipment/facilities should be developed in consultation with users and designers. 3.8 OHS Risk Management Documentation 3.8.1 Record keeping Records for all stages of the risk management process need to be kept. This includes records where an assessment has been undertaken and the initial risk has been evaluated as acceptable or minimal, and no further action is going to be undertaken. Printed risk assessments kept in the work area. Soft copy saved to on S drive in an appropriate location. Risk assessments of Level 2 and above archived in the University s Electronic Records management system, and a copy forwarded to Manger University Laboratories. 3.8.2 Risk Assessments completed previously Where a risk assessment has been completed previously a printed copy needs to be provided to the person before they undertake the task. Where a generic assessment (where similar processes or procedures are being assessed) is available, care should be taken to ensure that all the tasks and hazards have been reviewed and reassessed prior to beginning. 3.8.3 CSU Risk Register CSU has adopted a generic risk register template [.doc] to encompass risk identification, assessment, treatment and reporting. All risks identified in Risk Assessments are required to be placed on a risk register. The faculty of Science has created a Faculty of Science Risk Register Template. Each School is required to maintain a risk register as outlined in the Risk Register Procedure. 4.0 REFERENCED AND RELATED UNIVERSITY DOCUMENTS CSU Hazard Log CSU Hazard Scale ELMO CSU Risk Register template Risk Register Procedure Risk Assessment Procedure Page 7 of 7
Risk Assessment Forms 6.0 Table of amendments Version number Date Short description of amendment 0.1 06/09 Draft 0.3 011009 Add consultation 0.4 071009 K Munn edits 0.5 261009 C Svenson edits 0.6 8/08/2011 Amendments K Kent 1.0 Initial version Risk Assessment Procedure Page 8 of 7