Managing safety risk primarily involves identifying potential hazards and implementing effective control measures to prevent harm. This is typically done through a structured process that prioritizes control methods based on their effectiveness.
Key Strategies for Managing Safety Risk
Effective safety risk management relies on applying a hierarchy of controls, aiming first to eliminate the hazard entirely, then reduce it, and finally protect individuals if the hazard cannot be fully controlled. The references provided outline practical steps aligned with this approach.
Here are key ways to manage safety risk:
1. Eliminating or Substituting Hazards
The most effective way to manage a risk is to remove the hazard altogether or replace it with something less hazardous.
- This involves replacing the materials, machinery or process that pose a significant risk (Reference 2).
- Example: Replacing a toxic chemical cleaner with a non-toxic or less toxic alternative, or automating a dangerous manual task.
2. Implementing Engineering Controls
If a hazard cannot be eliminated, engineering controls aim to isolate people from the hazard. These are physical modifications to the workspace, machinery, or equipment.
- This often involves redesigning the job to incorporate safety features directly into the work environment or process (Reference 1).
- It is part of identifying and implementing practical measures needed to work safely by physically separating workers from risks (Reference 4).
- Examples: Installing physical barriers or guards around machinery, implementing ventilation systems to remove hazardous fumes, or using remote handling equipment.
3. Applying Administrative Controls
Administrative controls involve changing the way people work through policies, procedures, training, and work organization. These measures reduce exposure to hazards but do not eliminate them.
- A core aspect is organising your work to reduce exposure to the materials, machinery or process (Reference 3). This could involve limiting time spent in hazardous areas or changing shift patterns.
- Administrative controls are also part of redesigning the job by establishing safe work procedures, providing training, and setting clear guidelines (Reference 1).
- They fall under identifying and implementing practical measures needed to work safely, specifically those related to managing how work is done (Reference 4).
- Examples: Developing safe operating procedures, providing safety training, posting warning signs, implementing job rotation to reduce exposure time, or conducting regular safety audits.
4. Utilizing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE is the last line of defense used when other controls cannot fully mitigate the risk. It protects the individual worker from the hazard.
- This step involves providing personal protective equipment and making sure workers wear it correctly (Reference 5).
- While crucial, PPE should not be relied upon as the primary control measure as it requires proper fitting, maintenance, and consistent use by the worker.
- Examples: Safety glasses, gloves, hard hats, hearing protection, respirators, or protective clothing.
Putting it Together: A Layered Approach
Effectively managing safety risk involves applying these control measures in combination, starting with the most effective (elimination/substitution) and moving down the hierarchy. Identifying and implementing practical measures needed to work safely (Reference 4) is an overarching step that involves selecting the appropriate controls from the hierarchy based on a thorough risk assessment.
Think of it as layers of protection:
| Control Level | Effectiveness | Examples (from Ref) |
|---|---|---|
| Elimination/Substitution | Highest | Replacing materials, machinery, or process (Ref 2) |
| Engineering Controls | High | Redesigning the job (physical aspects) (Ref 1) |
| Administrative Controls | Medium | Organising work to reduce exposure (Ref 3), Redesigning the job (procedures) (Ref 1) |
| PPE | Lowest | Providing PPE and ensuring use (Ref 5) |
The process of identifying and implementing practical measures (Ref 4) underpins the selection and application of controls from all levels of this hierarchy.
By systematically applying these control strategies, organizations can significantly reduce the likelihood and severity of workplace incidents.
