4.3.1 Hazard identification, risk assessment and determining controls

The organization shall establish, implement and maintain a procedure(s) for the ongoing hazard identification, risk assessment, and determination of necessary controls.

The procedure(s) for hazard identification and risk assessment shall take into account:

1. routine and non-routine activities;
2. activities of all persons having access to the workplace (including contractors and visitors);
3. Human behaviour, capabilities and other human factors;
4. identified hazards originating outside the workplace capable of adversely affecting the health and safety of persons under the control of the organization within the workplace;
5. hazards created in the vicinity of the workplace by work-related activities under the control of the organization (NOTE 1 It may be more appropriate for such hazards to be assessed as an environmental aspect.)
6. infrastructure, equipment and materials at the workplace, whether provided by the organization or others;
7. changes or proposed changes in the organization, its activities, or materials;
8. modifications to the OH&S management system, including temporary changes, and their impacts on operations, processes, and activities;
9. any applicable legal obligations relating to risk assessment and implementation of necessary controls (see also the NOTE to 3.12);
10. the design of work areas, processes, installations, machinery/equipment, operating procedures and work organization, including their adaptation to human capabilities.

 

The organization’s methodology for hazard identification and risk assessment shall:

1. be defined with respect to its scope, nature and timing to ensure it is proactive rather than reactive; and
2. provide for the identification, prioritization and documentation of risks, and the application of controls, as appropriate

For the management of change, the organization shall identify the OH&S hazards and OH&S risks associated with changes in the organization, the OH&S management system, or its activities, prior to the introduction of such changes.

The organization shall ensure that the results of these assessments are considered when determining controls.

When determining controls, or considering changes to existing controls, consideration shall be given to reducing the risks according to the following hierarchy:

• elimination;
• substitution;
• Engineering controls;
• signage/warnings and/or administrative controls;
• personal protective equipment.

The organization shall document and keep the results of identification of hazards, risk assessments and determined controls up-to-date.

The organization shall ensure that the OH&S risks and determined controls are taken into account when establishing, implementing and maintaining its OH&S management system


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