Overview of Risk Assessment

Risk assessment entails identifying and assessing the risks that people participating in the planned project and adjacent populations face due to hazard occurrence. This necessitates a detailed understanding of failure probability, believable accident scenarios, population susceptibility, etc. As a result, risk analysis is frequently limited to the most believable disaster scenario and examining the possible consequences of environmental risks on human health. Following correct protocols, handling, and training can significantly reduce these mishaps. Yet, achieving zero risk or absolute safety may be challenging. When such situations occur, urgent action must be taken to control the situation to prevent loss of life and property damage. An assessment follows a comprehensive hazard analysis. It entails identifying and assessing risks to surrounding people due to hazards present. This necessitates a detailed understanding of failure probability, plausible accident scenarios, population susceptibility, etc. Most of this information is easier to get or create with expert assistance.

Role of Risk Assessment

The occurrence of some accidents consisting of an event or series of events is referred to as risk. The assessment research includes the following topics:

• Identifying possible threat areas;
• Identifying representative failure instances;
• Visualizing the subsequent scenarios in terms of fire and explosion;
• Evaluating the total damage potential of the identified hazardous events and the impact zones resulting from the accidental scenarios;
• Provide ideas for mitigating the worst-case accident scenarios.
• Development of a Disaster Management Plan;
• Development of an Emergency Plan, which includes an Occupational and Health Safety Plan;

Documentation on Assessment

Keeping records of the assessment and control actions implemented is critical. You might be obligated to keep evaluations for a certain number of years.

• Hazards Related to Business Practices
• Risk Categories
• Degree of Risk (include a summary description of what each level means)
• Policies, procedures, and controls that have been implemented.
• Date Review Completed Further Mitigation Actions Required
• Follow-up (include date)

Requirement Section for Risk Assessment

The requirement for analysis of the assessment are as follows:

• Product information and documentation from the manufacturer.
• Previous job experience (knowledge from workers, etc.).
• Statutory conditions and appropriate norms.
• Industry best practices and norms of conduct.
• Hazard-related health and safety information includes safety data sheets (SDSs), research papers, or other manufacturer information.
• Data from respected organizations.
• Testing outcomes (atmospheric or air workplace sampling, biological swabs, etc.).
• The knowledge of a professional in workplace health and safety.
• Previous injuries, illnesses, near misses, incident reports, etc.
• Process or task observation.
• Working conditions (layout, condition, etc.).
• The work systems that are in use.
• The variety of possible outcomes.
• How the source may inflict harm (e.g., inhalation, ingestion, etc.).
• The frequency and extent to which a person will be exposed.
• Interaction, competence, skill, and experience of employees performing the task.

Process in Risk Assessment

A competent individual or team should always conduct assessments with a solid working understanding of the issue. Involve supervisors, as these personnel are the most familiar with the operation.

In general, while doing an evaluation, you should:

• Identify potential dangers.
• Assess the likelihood and severity of harm, such as an accident or sickness.
• Include routine operational conditions and unusual occurrences such as maintenance, shutdowns, power outages, crises, harsh weather, etc.
• Examine all available health and safety information about the hazard, including Safety Data Sheets (SDS), manufacturer literature, information from reputable organizations, testing results, workplace inspection reports, records of workplace incidents (accidents), including information about the type and frequency of the occurrence, illnesses, injuries, near misses, and so on.
• Learn your jurisdiction's minimal legislative requirements.
• Determine the activities required to remove or control the hazard using the risk control hierarchy.
• Assess to ensure the danger has been eliminated or the risk is adequately controlled.
• Keep an eye on the situation to ensure that the control remains successful.
• Maintain all appropriate paperwork or records. Documentation may contain a description of the procedure used to assess the risk, an outline of any evaluations, and an explanation of how conclusions were reached.

Note – While taking an assessment, the following should be taken into account:

• Actual and potential worker exposure (for example, how many workers may be exposed, what that exposure is/will be, and how frequently they will be exposed).
• To control such exposure, engineering controls, work habits, hygiene practices, and facilities are required.
• The task's length and frequency (how long and how often a task is done).
• The place where the work is completed.
• The machinery, tools, materials, and so on utilized in the process, as well as how they are employed (e.g., the physical state of a chemical or lifting heavy loads for a distance).
• Any potential connections with other activities in the region, as well as if the task might impact others (e.g., cleaners, visitors, etc.).
• The product, process, or service's lifespan (e.g., design, construction, uses, decommissioning).
• The education and training gained by the personnel.
• What a person would do in a certain circumstance (e.g., what would be the most common reaction by a person if the machine failed or malfunctioned).