Risk Management System for Workplace Health and Safety
Companies looking for sustained performance in the areas of operational effectiveness, health, workplace safety and the environment recognize that activities alone are not enough. These leading edge organizations recognize the need for a systematic approach to better co-ordinate and tackle workplace safety. Risk analysis with proper controls of a risk management system enables your organization to consistently maintain health and implement workplace safety programs.
A key requirement of an effective Health and Workplace Safety Management System is by risk analysis. aA process to identify hazards, assess those risks that could cause losses to the organization and determine the needs required to control those risks.
- Risk – a combination of the likelihood of the occurrence of a hazardous event and the severity of the harm caused by the event. (CSA Z1000-06)
- Risk – Combination of the likelihood and consequence(s) of a specified hazardous event occurring – Risk = Severity (Consequence) x Likelihood (Probability) (OHSAS 18001-07)
- Hazard – anything (e.g. substandard practice or condition in the work place) that has the potential to cause harm, such as injury to a person or damage to property i.e. electrical, radiation, fire, working at heights, moving vehicles, chemicals, etc.
- Risk Assessment – The process of analyzing hazards and evaluating the level of risk they create (risk ranking).
- Risk Management – The overall activity of identifying hazards/risk, evaluating and ranking them and determine controls in order to eliminate the hazard/risk, or lower it to the lowest practical or tolerable level. (LPTL)
The main objective of risk analysis management is to Eliminate, Minimize, Control Hazards/Risks/Loss related to People, Equipment, Materials, Process, Production, Environment, Customer Service, Reputation and the Bottom Line. Workplace safety must factor all the above elements to create a comprehensive strategy.
Risk Management for workplace safety will:
- Set the foundation that will establish the overall management system priorities and annual Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Program objectives.
- Will support the concept of continual improvement for your SHE Program.
- Will supplement your job task/hazard/safety analysis program.
- Will provide a process to demonstrate Due Diligence.
- Help you minimize and manage loss, and therefore contribute to the bottom-line (ROI).
Risk Management & Risk Analysis will assist employers with the following legal requirements:
- Employers/supervisors take every workplace safety precaution reasonable for the protection of employees/worker (General Duty).
- Employees/workers be advised/informed/acquainted/trained/instructed in relation to existing or potential workplace safety hazards/dangers which they may be exposed to.
Basic principles of risk management & risk analysis
- The basis of risk management will require an organization to identify, evaluate, and control Workplace Safety, Health and Environmental hazards/risks on an ongoing basis. (never completed)
- This is a proactive activity of any SHE Management System.
- This activity is more an art, not a science. No amount of analysis can create the perfect workplace safety plan.
- All operations normal, abnormal, routine and non-routine must be considered.
- Activities of all personnel (including contractor’s and visitors) having access to the workplace are included in the scope of the workplace safety plan.
- Included within the risk analysis management process is the review of legislative and regulatory requirements that apply to the organization.
- Make your risk management process as simple as possible based on the complexity and nature of your business and hazards. Every workplace safety plan should be easy to understand, clearly identifying core workplace safety issues.
- Involve as many people as appropriate in the process, especially those at risk. Great opportunity for JHSC and worker involvement/participation.
- Look at the big picture; don’t waste time on the obviously minor risks. (apply 80/20 principle)
- Assess the risks from the identified hazards, taking into account the existing controls. (only if 100% confidence in existing controls)
- Good documentation is a must.
