Hazard Assessment & Control

A hazard assessment is the process that supervisors and workers use to identify and control workplace hazards. Workers and supervisors should assess hazards together before beginning a new task, working at a new job site, or if the work environment changes for any reason (e.g. seasonal change, new equipment, new procedures).

• Hazard: A situation, thing, or condition that may cause an injury, illness, or damage to equipment.
• Hazard Control: The action workers and employers take to eliminate or reduce the chance that a hazard will cause harm in the workplace.

Steps of a Hazard Assessment

1. Identify Hazards: You can identify hazards by conducting walk-through inspections of the worksite, reviewing previous incident reports, talking with workers, conducting hazard assessments, and reviewing work processes.
2. Control Hazards: After you have identified the hazards, discuss the best ways to eliminate the hazard or reduce these risks with your work team. This could involve different strategies depending on the nature of the hazard.
3. Follow-up Action: Determine the next steps after you implement hazard controls. You may:
   • Continue with the task if the hazards are controlled.
   • Modify the work environment and reassess the risks.
   • Change how the task is performed and reassess the risks.
   • Stop the job and inform the supervisor that hazards cannot be managed.
4. Sign-off: Workers and the supervisor should sign the assessment to confirm that everyone agrees with the identified hazards and controls.

Required Documentation

• Over 20 Employees:
  • Hazard Assessment Reports: Employers must document the results of hazard assessments conducted in the workplace. These reports should outline the hazards identified, and the control measures that will mitigate risks. 
     

Regulatory Reference

• OHS Regulations: Sections 12, 13, 16 (2)(b)