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Safety Update: Hazard Identification and Assessment

Hazard Identification and Assessment is the most vital process for starting a successful safety management system. There are several steps and responsibilities involved in properly identifying hazards and assessing the risks associated with those hazards. This week we will first address our legal obligations as an employer in terms of accountability. In two weeks we will explore the basic methodology behind an effective hazard identification and assessment procedure.

According to the Occupational Health and Safety Code 2006, an employer's responsibilities are outlined as follows:

• An employer must assess a work site and identify existing and potential hazards before work begins at the work site or prior to the construction of a new work site.
• An employer must prepare a report of the results of a hazard assessment and the methods used to control or eliminate the hazards identified.
• An employer must ensure that the date on which the hazard assessment is prepared or revised is recorded on it.
• An employer must ensure that the hazard assessment is repeated:
  • at reasonably practicable intervals to prevent the development of unsafe and unhealthy working conditions,
  • when a new work process is introduced,
  • when a work process or operation changes, or
  • before the construction of significant additions or alterations to a work site.

Hazard Identification is not only a key process necessary for controlling hazards in the workplace, but is a fundamental process that is taken seriously by the government. If an incident occurs within the workplace, the first component of the program to be investigated is identified and controlled hazards. This of course falls back on the employer with regards to proper completion, distribution, use and awareness of the hazard identification and assessment process.

The Topic for December 13th: Hazard Identification and Assessment Steps

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eCompliance provides information about topical OH&S issues to assist existing and potential customers to cope with their own OH&S needs. It is not intended to be legal information or legal advice. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a lawyer if you want professional assurance that our information, and your interpretation of it, is appropriate to your particular situation.