WHAT IS A HAZARD?
There are many definitions for hazard: some have argued that a hazardous material or situation is something that possess any danger or that can result into a harmful situation to both human and a damage to equipment.
When dealing with a workplace safety and healthy, then we can say that a hazard is any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effects on someone or something.
The following two terms cannot be left without being explained or touched as far as safety at workplace is concerned.
- Harm – physical injury or damage to health.
- Hazard – a potential source of harm to a worker
Hazard identification/risk assessment?
Hazard identification is the process used to evaluate if any particular situation, item, thing, occurrence, process or anything if it may have any potential to cause any harm to the workers or anyone within or the equipment.
- Identify hazards and risk factors that have the potential to cause harm
- Analyze and evaluate the risk associated with that hazard (risk analysis, and risk evaluation).
- Determine appropriate ways to eliminate the hazard, or control the risk when the hazard cannot be eliminated (risk control).
The overall goal of hazard identification is to find and record possible hazards that may be present in your workplace. This helps the workers to work as a team.
When to carry out hazard identification at workplace?
Hazard identification can be done:
- During design and implementation stage
- Designing a new process or procedure
- Purchasing and installation of new machinery
- Before carrying out tasks
- Checking equipment or following processes
- Reviewing surroundings before each shift
- While tasks are being carried out.
- Be aware of changes, abnormal conditions, or sudden emissions
- During inspections
- Formal, informal, supervisor, health and safety committee
- After incidents
- Near misses or minor events
- Injuries