Module 7

Controlling hazards and risks

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

OHS procedures for controlling hazards and risk are strictly followed.
Procedures in dealing with workplace accidents, fire and emergencies
are followed in accordance with the organization’s OHS policies.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is correctly used in a ccordance
with organization’s OHS procedures and practices.
Procedures in providing appropriate assistance in the event of
workplace emergencies are identified in line with the established
organizational protocol.
 What Do You Already Know?

Let us determine how much you already know controlling hazards and risks.
Take this test.

Pretest

A. DIRECTION: Select the correct answer that corresponds to the statement in each number.
Write the correct answer at the space provided

_____________ 1. It includes ear and eye protection, respirators, and protective clothing.
______________2. Changing a piece of machinery (for example, using proper machine
guards) or a work process to reduce exposure to a hazard

______________3. Working a limited number of hours in a hazardous area

______________4. The process where you identify hazards, analyze or evaluate the risk
associated with that hazard, and determine appropriate ways to eliminate or control the hazard.
______________5. Identify the source of the problem

IDENTIFY THE HAZARD ASSESS THE RISK

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
ENGINEERING CONTROL
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL
ELIMINATE HAZARDS

B.DIRECTION: TRUE OR FALSE. In the statements below write true if the statement is correct
and False if the statement is incorrect.

1. General cleanliness in the workplace is an important method of controlling

hazards.
2. Good housekeeping reduces the risk of fire and is cost-effective.
3. Safety signs are method of hazard control.
4. Hygiene (cleanliness) is not so important as a method of controlling hazards
5. Before you leave work, wash/shower and change your clothes when necessary to
prevent bringing workplace contaminants home to your family.
 What Do You Need To Know?

Read the Information Sheet 3.1 very well then find out how much you can
remember and how much you learned by doing Self-check 3.1.

Information Sheet 3.1

3A. HAZARD CONTROL

All workplace hazards (chemical, physical, etc.) can be controlled by a variety of methods. The
goal of controlling hazards is to prevent workers from being exposed to occupational
hazards. Some methods of hazard control are more efficient than others, but a combination of
methods usually provides a safer workplace than relying on only one method. Some methods of
control are cheaper than others but may not provide the most effective way to reduce exposures.

To control hazards in your workplace you need to identify and understand those
hazards. Your first priority should always be to eliminate the hazards. If the hazards can't be
eliminated, try finding safer ways to carry out those tasks by substituting less harmful substances
or changing the work environment through engineering controls. Also consider changing how
work activities are organized and performed. For example, reduce the time workers are exposed
to a hazard by rotating them to another task.

A. Controlling workplace hazards

Once a hazard has been identified and the risk assessed, control measures should be put into
place.A simple list of control measures can be utilized - the hierarchy of control.

1. Identify the Hazard

Identify the source of the problem

2. Assess the Risk

Risk assessment is the process where you:

o Identify hazards,
o Analyze or evaluate the risk associated
 with that hazard.
o Determine appropriate ways to eliminate or control the
hazard

3. Eliminate the Hazard Or Risk

Elimination of a specific hazard or hazardous work process, or

preventing it from entering the workplace, is the most effective
method of control. Eliminating a hazard means removing it
completely.

4. Engineering Control may mean changing a piece of

machinery (for example, using proper machine guards) or a
work process to reduce exposure to a hazard.

5. Administrative Controls

Working a limited number of hours in a hazardous area is an

example of an administrative control for example, job rotation.

6. Substitution is one measure of replacing one hazardous

agent or work process with a less dangerous one. It is
important to consider worker health and safety when work
processes are still in the planning stages.

Provide Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) includes ear and eye

protection, respirators, and protective clothing.
 Remember: it is always better to control the hazard as close to the source as possible.
Using personal protection is the least acceptable and least effective of all control measures.

How Much Have You Learned?

Self-Check 3.1

DIRECTIONS: Select the correct answer that corresponds to the statement in each number.
Write the correct answer at the space provided

_____________ 1. It includes ear and eye protection, respirators, and protective

clothing.
______________2. It may mean changing a piece of machinery (for example,
using proper machine guards) or a work process to reduce exposure to
a hazard.

______________3. Working a limited number of hours in a hazardous area

______________4. The process where you identify hazards, analyze or evaluate
the risk associated with that hazard, and determine appropriate
ways to eliminate or control the hazard.
______________5. Identify the source of the problem.
 IDENTIFY THE HAZARD ASSESS THE RISK

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

ENGINEERING CONTROL

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL

ELIMINATE HAZARDS

Refer to the Answer Key. What is your score?

What Do You Need To Know?

Read the Information Sheet 1.1 very well then find out how much you can
remember and how much you learned by doing Self-check 1.1.

Information Sheet 3.2

YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK

Personal hygiene

Finally, personal hygiene (cleanliness) is also very important as a method of controlling

hazards. Your employer should provide facilities so you can wash and/or take a shower every
day at the end of your shift, no matter what your job is. Wash your skin and hair with a mild
soap, rinse and dry your skin completely to protect it. Washing hands regularly, and
 eating and smoking away from your work area help to prevent
ingesting
Do not take workplace contaminants. hazards
home with you!
Lack of personal
cleanliness can affect
your family's health.

Your family can be exposed to hazards you work

with if you bring chemicals and other workplace
contaminants home with you on your clothes, hair or
skin. Before you leave work, wash/shower and
change your clothes when necessary to prevent
bringing workplace contaminants home.

Leave your dirty clothes at work or, if you must wash them at home, wash them
separately — not with the family wash.

It may seem that the amount of contaminant you can bring home on your clothes or skin is very
small and cannot hurt your family. In reality a small exposure every day for months can add up
to a big exposure. A classic example of this ―spreading the hazard‖ involves asbestos, where
wives of asbestos workers have developed asbestosis from exposure to the asbestos on their
husbands' work clothes. Similarly, children have developed lead poisoning from exposure to
lead which comes home on their parents' work clothes.

If you wear protective clothing at work, such as aprons, laboratory coats, overalls, etc.,
these should be cleaned regularly and you should inspect them for holes or areas that are worn
out. Workers who launder these clothes should be trained in the types of hazards they may
work with and how they can be controlled. Inspect your underclothes at home for any signs of
contamination with oils, solvents, etc. If you find any signs, then it means your protective
clothing at work is not effective.

Every workplace should have some kind of first-aid facility

Every workplace should have at least minimal first-aid facilities as well as adequate personnel
trained to provide first aid. First-aid
facilities and trained personnel are important
components of a healthy and safe workplace.
A basic first-aid
facility

1. General cleanliness in the workplace is an important method of controlling

hazards.
2. Good housekeeping reduces the risk of fire and is cost-effective.
3. Good housekeeping measures should be planned when work processes are in
the design stage.
4. Safety signs are not a method of hazard control.
5. Personal cleanliness is an important method of controlling hazards.
 6. Your employer should provide facilities so you can wash and/or take a shower
every day.
7. Before you leave work, wash/shower and change your clothes when necessary
to prevent bringing workplace contaminants home to your family.
8. Leave your dirty clothes at work. If you must wash them at home, wash them
separately — never wash your work clothes with your family's wash.
9. Your protective clothing should be cleaned regularly. Inspect your protective
clothing for holes and worn areas that could leave you open to exposures.
10. Inspect your undergarments for signs of contamination.
11. Your workplace should have at least minimal first-aid facilities.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Process of ensuring that an organization has complied with the preventive measures, is
in a state of readiness to contain the effects of a forecasted disastrous event to minimize loss of
life, injury, and damage to property, can provide rescue, relief, rehabilitation, and other services
in the aftermath of the disaster, and has the capability and resources to continue to sustain its
essential functions without being overwhelmed by the demand placed on them.

Preparedness for the first and immediate response is called emergency preparedness.
Always remember that disaster comes in the most unexpected time and place. Being ready is
always a necessity in all circumstances. The government is giving trainings that everybody needs
in all our localities. One should participate in this disaster training so that we will not be caught
unaware when calamity struck.

How Much Have You Learned?

Self-Check 3.2

DIRECTIONS: TRUE OR FALSE. In the statements below write true if the statement is correct
and false if the statement is not correct

a. General cleanliness in the workplace is an important method of controlling

hazards.
b. Good housekeeping reduces the risk of fire and is cost-effective.
c. Safety signs are method of hazard control.
d. Hygiene (cleanliness) is not so important as a method of controlling hazards.
e. Before you leave work, wash/shower and change your clothes when necessary to
prevent bringing workplace contaminants home to your family.
f. Your protective clothing should be cleaned regularly.
g. Inspect your undergarments for signs of contamination.
h. Your employer should provide facilities so you can wash and/or take a shower at
least once a week.