How To Conduct OHS and Environmental Risk Assessment In Construction Works

Why OHS and Environmental Risk Assessment is Necessary?

Risk assessment (RA) is undertaken to: Identify foreseeable hazards and assess the risk of those hazards Eliminate, or at least control, the risks by applying the Hierarchy of Controls Monitoring the controls and reviewing their effectiveness.

Hazard is defined as A source or situation with potential for harm in terms of human injury or illhealth, damage to property, damage to the environment, or a combination of these. The Work Health and Safety Regulations and AS/NZS 4801 standards mandate a risk management approaches to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards in the workplace.

Who should be Responsible for conducting and documenting Risk Assessments?

The main contractor of any construction project is directly responsible for the management of OHS and environmental. Hence, the contractors Project Managers (PMs) are responsible for: Organising, facilitating and documenting risk assessment meetings Implementing outcomes of those meetings, and monitoring and recording progress. Ensuring that a risk assessment is undertaken for each construction project as well as associated construction activities Ensuring that SWMS (Safe Work Method Statement) are developed and issued for high to medium-risk activities prior to the commencement of work Ensuring that the hierarchy of controls is applied ( Refer Appendix-01) Ensuring that emergency procedures are developed and implemented Ensuring that works done under contract in accordance with the appropriate OHS and environmental specifications Rejecting (or quarantining and stoping) the use of unsafe work areas, work methods, hazardous materials, plant and equipment

When Risk Assessment have to be carried out?

Generally risk assessment is done before work begins on site. The risk assessment meeting should be held early so that risks are identified, documented and acted upon. Similarly, the risk assessments must be reviewed regularly. Usually, meetings should be held once a month or when condition changes or new activities are introduced. Risk assessment must also be reviewed when an incident occurs. It is necessary to assess the likelihood of reoccurrence of such incidents and implement corrective measures to reduce the risk.

How OHS and Environment Risk Assessment have to be carried out?

2012 Compliance Leader (www.complianceleader.com)

Regular risk assessment meetings should be conducted by the project delivery team. Need to assess the scope of project activities, identifying associated critical OHS and environmental hazards that may cause illness or injury or harm to the environment. Once the risks are assessed, the project team should agree on most appropriate OHS and environmental controls for the project. The Project manager must: 1. Schedule the risk assessment meeting and invite the project team (including subcontractors) and support staff (such as Systems Manager, Quality Systems Officer, OHS representative) 2. Table the following documents if available: a. the project scope and works program b. the construction drawings c. Environmental impact assessment or Review of Environmental Factors 3. Systematically analyse the project activities to identify all the steps involved and identify the associated OHS and environmental hazards. Here, need to involve the team members while take into account of their past experience, opinions, suggestions and innovative approaches. Use the Table-1 Hierarchy of Control and Table-2 Risk Assessment Reckoner in Table-2 as a guide to assess the risks. Additionally, review the project design to identify any design changes needed to improve OHS and environmental safety. 4. Rank all the OHS and environmental hazards using the risk assessment reckoners and Hierarchy of Control (Refer Table-1 & 2). Note: Consider the likelihood that more than one activity may be taking place on site at a given time. 5. If the hazard cannot be eliminated, controls need to be adopted according to Hierarchy of Control Order given in Table-1. 6. Document outcomes of Risk Assessment meetings. The Risk assessment process also identifies potential emergencies for the project. Outcomes from the Risk Assessment (RA) meeting are vital information to manage OHS and environmental risks in the project

Risk Assessment Review and Monitoring

Risk assessments are reviewed once a month, and when circumstances change or new activities are to be introduced. Risk assessment must also be reviewed to prevent reoccurrence following an incident to assess the:

2012 Compliance Leader (www.complianceleader.com)

likelihood of re-injury or further plant damage degree of risk reduction achieved after corrective actions have been implemented

Table-1 The Hierarchy of Controls Risks may be controlled in accordance with the hierarchy of controls prescribed below: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Elimination Substitution Isolation Engineering controls Administrative controls Personal protective equipment Remove the hazard from the workplace Use something less hazardous. For example, use water based paints rather than solvent based ones Use barriers to shield or isolate the hazard. For example, guards on machines, no-go zones near operating machinery Design and install equipment to counteract the hazard. For example, install a local exhaust ventilation system to extract fumes or dust. Implement administrative processes to minimise risks. For example, induction, adopting SWMS and conducting OHS training Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) near the hazard. For example, hard hats, earplugs and respirators

Table-2 : Safety risk assessment reckoner (Illness and injury)

Consequences &/or Impact What type of impact do you expect could result from exposure to this hazard? K Kill or cause permanent disability or ill health S Long term illness or serious injury Very Likely (VL) (could happen at any time) Likelihood: What is the likelihood of this occurring? Likely (L) (could happen sometime) Unlikely (UL) (could happen but rarely) Very unlikely (VU) (may happen but probably never will)

M Medical attention and several days off work

F First aid needed 3 4 5 6

Risk Rating 1 to 3 High and medium risk Immediate action is required to reduce the risk. Implement appropriate control measures prior to the activity being undertaken

2012 Compliance Leader (www.complianceleader.com)

4 to 6

Low risk

Risks will be minimised with standard work practices.

2012 Compliance Leader (www.complianceleader.com)

Environmental risk assessment reckoner (environmental harm) Assess the likely risk of the event by multiplying the likelihood of the event occurring by the severity of the impact.

LIKELIHOOD 5 Almost certain RISK=LIKELIHOOD X SEVERITY SEVERITY Several times per month. (Will occur regularly on this project) Short term (<1 week) impacts, community not affected, on site incident immediately contained. Short term (<6 mths) impacts, mild effect on community, requires some action with minor resources readily available on site. Will not have effects beyond the site boundary. Medium term (up to 1 yr) impacts, complaint from community, remedial action required, pollutant within vicinity of site and can be managed with routine procedures Long term (110 yr) impacts, complaint lodged with EPA, likely to attract media attention/criticism, require considerable remedial action and notification to EPA. Persistent long term (>10 yrs) impacts, large group of people affected, EPA involved, widespread media attention, requires extensive remedial action 4 Likely Once per month. (Will probably occur monthly this project) 4 Low-Med 3 Moderate Once per year. 2 Unlikely Once every 1020 yrs. (Unlikely to occur on this project) 1 Rare Once every 100 years. (Very Unlikely to occur on this project)

(May occur on this project.)

1 Minor, Negligible 2 Low

5 Low-Med

3 Low

2 Low

1 Low

10 Medium

8 Low-Med

6 Low

4 Low

2 Low

3 Medium

15 High

12 High-Med

9 Medium

6 Medium

3 Low

4 High

20 High

16 High

12 High-Med

8 Medium

4 Low

5 Extreme

25 High

20 High

15 High

10 High-Med

5 Low-Med

For More Information and Articles Like The One Above, Please Visit: www.complianceleader.com

2012 Compliance Leader (www.complianceleader.com)