Risk assessment and control measures

Risk Assessment in Land-Based Industries

Identification of Hazards: Understand the importance of identifying potential hazards. This refers to anything that can cause harm or injury, such as machinery, chemicals, or environmental factors like slippery surfaces or trip hazards.
Risk Evaluation: Know how risks are evaluated once potential hazards are identified. This includes determining the likelihood of an accident occurring and the severity of potential harm or injury resulting from each identified hazard.
Hierarchy of Control Measures: Be aware of the concept of a hierarchy of control measures, which prioritises eliminating the hazard completely if possible. If elimination is not feasible, aim to reduce the risk by substituting the hazard, isolating it, using engineering controls, promoting safe work practices, or using PPE as a last resort.
Record Keeping: Understand the importance of keeping detailed records of risk assessments. These records provide evidence of the proactive management of health and safety, creating a safer workplace and protecting the organisation legally.

Practical Control Measures in Land-Based Industries

Physical Control Measures: This includes implementing measures such as barriers, secure storage for hazardous substances, and safety guards for machinery.
Behavioural Control Measures: Understand that influencing behaviours, such as promoting safe work practices and maintaining clear procedures and protocols, plays a major role in maintaining safety in the workplace.
Check on Control Measures: Acknowledge that control measures should be regularly checked for their effectiveness and updated or changed if needed.
Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Remember that PPE is an important control measure, but it should be the last resort, not the first line of defence. Maintenance of PPE also falls under this point.
Emergency Procedures: Learn about the relevance of having clear and well-drilled emergency procedures as a control measure, including knowledge on the location and use of fire-fighting equipment, assembly points, and first aid facilities.
Training: Realise that training on all aspects of health and safety, including control measures, is a critical factor in risk mitigation.

By taking a proactive approach to risk assessment and control measures, a safer and more effective working environment can be maintained in land-based industries.